Sabrina the Teenage Witch star Martin Mull dies at 80
American actor and comedian Martin Mull, renowned for his roles on TV sitcoms such as Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Roseanne, has passed away at the age of 80.
Mull, also celebrated for his role in the 1985 comedy film Clue, died at his home on Thursday after bravely battling a prolonged illness, according to a statement by his daughter, Maggie Mull, shared on social media.
In an Instagram tribute, Ms. Mull described her father as someone who “excelled at every creative discipline imaginable” and humorously noted his appearances in Red Roof Inn commercials, adding, “He would find that joke funny. He was never not funny.”
Martin Mull gained prominence in 1976 with his portrayal of Garth Gimble on the soap opera satire Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, which led to additional roles including the spin-off Fernwood 2 Night. His portrayal of Colonel Mustard in the cult classic film Clue and his distinctive voice in Red Roof Inn advertisements further solidified his place in entertainment.
Throughout the 1990s, Mull endeared himself to television audiences with roles like Leon Carp, Roseanne’s boss in Roseanne, and Principal Willard Kraft in Sabrina the Teenage Witch. He also delighted viewers with his appearances on Arrested Development as the bumbling private detective Gene Parmesan.
Martin Mull’s guest appearances on iconic shows like The Simpsons, Family Guy, Law and Order: Special Victims Unit, The Golden Girls, and Two and a Half Men showcased his versatility and comedic talent, leaving an indelible mark on television history.
Mull was nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for a four-episode appearance he made on HBO’s political satire Veep in 2016.
Born in Chicago to an actress and a carpenter, Mull began his show business career as a songwriter and became known as a musical comedian. He opened for Frank Zappa and Bruce Springsteen at numerous live gigs in the early 1970s.
He also studied painting and graduated in 1965 from the Rhode Island School of Design with a Bachelor of Fine Arts.
In a 2013 interview with the A.V. Club, he said of his acting career that “every painter I know has a day job. They’re either teaching art at some college or driving a cab”.
“I just happened to luck into a day job that’s extraordinary and a lot of fun and buys a lot of paint,” he said.
As well as his daughter, Maggie, a TV writer, he leaves his wife, Wendy Haas, an actor and composer whom he wed in 1982.
