Comedy Great Martin Mull, From Roseanne and Sabrina, Dead at 80
Veteran comedic actor Martin Mull, who tallied dozens of TV roles over the years, including memorable turns on Roseanne and Sabrina the Teenage Witch, has died at the age of 80.
Mull’s daughter Maggie announced the news on Instagram: “I am heartbroken to share that my father passed away at home on June 27th, after a valiant fight against a long illness. He was known for excelling at every creative discipline imaginable and also for doing Red Roof Inn commercials. He would find that joke funny. He was never not funny. My dad will be deeply missed by his wife and daughter, by his friends and coworkers, by fellow artists and comedians and musicians, and — the sign of a truly exceptional person — by many, many dogs. I loved him tremendously.”
Mull’s Roseanne co-star Michael Fishman, who played D.J., shared a tribute to Mull on social media: “Martin Mull is a legend. He was a tremendous talent, who was always funny. As amazing as he was on camera, he was even more incredible off. The world was better with him in it. Perhaps the other side needed more laughter.”
Mull began his career as a musical comedian, writing and performing satirical songs and opening for the likes of Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen in the early 1970s. Mull then broke into acting with roles on Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman and its spinoffs Fernwood 2 Night and America 2 Night. He also appeared in a string of films in the 1980s, including Mr. Mom and Clue.
He joined the cast of Roseanne in 1991, playing Roseanne’s gay boss Leon and recurring throughout most of the series’ original run. He went on to play Principal Willard Kraft on Sabrina the Teenage Witch, and was a regular celebrity guest on Hollywood Squares. He later played private eye Gene Parmesan on Arrested Development and Charlie’s pharmacist Russell on Two and a Half Men.
Mull’s career continued throughout the 2010s, with appearances on Community, Psych and Veep, the latter of which earned him his lone Emmy nomination. He starred in two short-lived Fox sitcoms: Dads, from executive producer Seth MacFarlane; and The Cool Kids, alongside Vicki Lawrence, David Alan Grier and Leslie Jordan. His most recent TV appearance was a pair of episodes of Apple TV+’s The Afterparty that aired last year.
Grier paid tribute to Mull on Threads: “Rest in Peace. So, so sad. One of my comedy heroes is gone. Loved him to death. I had the honor of working with and befriending Martin and I will miss his intelligence, wit and brilliance. A wonderful painter, performer and raconteur.”
Noooo! That one hurts. RIP.
I remember first seeing him on Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman. The original “no idea what is going on but I really like it show.” He was always good, no matter the role.
Yes I do too and I thought even back then he was so talented. May he rest in peace.
Martin Mull was one of those dependable, funny character actors that elevated any show. From the 1970s (when I was a tot) to now, his talent was always on display.
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Condolences to his fans and loved ones. May he bring the laughs to the great beyond.
His tiny appearances on 2.5 Men were gold. GOLD.
Martin Mull brought much joy & laughter to so many. Our loss, heaven’s gain.
I grew up with his wonderful comedy albums and watched him in everything over the years. My silly and sardonic outlook on life was due in part to his influence, thank goodness.
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I agree with JJ — the first thing I said was noooooooooooooo!!!
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May his memory be a blessing forever. Just like his life was.
RIP and condolences to his family.
He’s one of my favorites, always made me laugh. I agree with what Michael Fishman said, that they must have needed more laughs on the ‘other side’.
I hated him as Sabrina’s principal growing up, but that’s why I loved him so much. The humor was flowing from him playing the “villain”, truly a character you loved to root against. He was a big part of my 90’s childhood and I always got nostalgia bursts seeing him pop up in other things. He was so good at what he did and will be greatly missed. Rip martin
Oh… I was just thinking about him the other day while I was watching Brooklyn 99 (he was Jake’s grandfather). He was always so wonderful, funny and somehow managed to guest star on shows I loved.
This is such sad news. Martin Mull was a big part of my childhood as Mr. Kraft in Sabrina, the Teenage Witch. My condolences to his family. Rest in peace, Martin.
He was so funny and so good in everything. I was so mad that Roseanne and the Connors never pulled him back into the storyline.
Thanks for the memories
Agreed, if you will recall, his character Leon was a gay Republican. That would have been an interesting story for the Roseanne reboot.
RIP Col Mustard, they finally let you out.
First introduction to his comedic brilliance was in a movie he did called “FM” in the 70’s. I became a fan forever. He will be missed.
Gotta rewatch Clue tonight!
I remember him from Sabrina & hearing this news makes me nostalgic of when I used to watch the show growing up.
I remember him from
the show Roseanne.
He was hilarious.
May he rest in peace 🕊️.
RIP Martin, you were one heck of a funny man and will be missed.
I have several of Martin’s comedy albums. They are really great. He was multi talented and we’ve truly lost a legend. RIP Martin, I’ll miss your amazing talent.
I saw him in person when he toured for one of his comedy albums. I think it was called the Fabulous Furniture tour. Such an original, hilarious, wonderful comedic mind. As you said, we’ve lost a legend. RIP MM.
I was a huge fan of Sabrina, and I enjoyed his character there. I also just rewatched Clue. So sad to hear this.
Did I miss the mention of him in Not Dead Yet? He was the best part of those
early episodes. I’m so glad he was able to appear in them. He was fantastic to the end.
Thank you acknowledging this, PR! I do not have Apple TV+ so I never seen those performances on that mentioned program yet was disappointed the author failed to note his knockout, brilliant, warm and funny presence as the first [and now sadly for real] deceased soul Nell encountered and later becomes friends with his widow, Cricket, on ABC’s Not Dead Yet, which was cancelled far too soon. As an early ’80s baby of course I have very fond memories of his role and time as Principal Willard Kraft on Sabrina The Teenage Witch with Melissa Joan Hart. My sincerest condolences to his family. May he Rest In Peace!
“…his knockout, brilliant, warm and funny presence as the first [and now sadly for real] deceased soul Nell encountered…”
Beautifully said, JVD. There was a tenderness in Mr. Mull’s performance that you didn’t always see. I had commented at the time that I wished the show would make him a regular because he brought so much to it. He was just a joy to watch and I’m so glad we were able to do so.
he really was one of those greats who you felt would always be around!
This man Martin Mull also voiced Vlad Masters and Vlad Plasmius (same character) in Butch Hartman’s show Danny Phantom on nickelodeon
Thank you! I was disappointed to not see a mention of this as it’s actually one of his bigger roles.
I remember his guest starring role as Dr. Clayton on season 2 of “My Boys”. The funniest, most innaproppriate couples therapist. May he rest in peace. He will be missed.
I really liked him as an actor. He always put in a good performance.
He was good in everything he was did I loved him in The Cool Kids, which I found hilarious. Thanks for the laughs Sir and you will be missed. A lot! May you rest in laughter and peace. 🕊
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It seems like almost every single day I come on here we are losing a gem, people we thought would be around for ever.😢
*everything he was in*
I have seen him on so many things and he is so good. just now seeing his picture made me smile/happy, only to read the title. Rest in peace.