Comedian Martin Mull, who starred in ‘Mary Hartman,’ dies at 80

Martin Mull, the comedian, musician and entertainer who gained widespread attention in the 1970s on shows like “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman” and “Fernwood 2-Night,” and remained active in television and film for the next half-century, died Thursday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 80.

His wife, Wendy Mull, confirmed his death. His family said he died after a long illness. No cause was given.

In “Mary Hartman,” Mr. Moll played Garth Gimple, a domestic abuser who died when he was stabbed to death on the star atop an aluminum Christmas tree.

He starred in the series’ next spin-off, “Fernwood 2-Night”, a parody of talk shows that aired in 1977. He played talk show host Barth Gimple, twin brother of Garth Gimple.

“With an unremarkable blond mustache, which may or may not have been intended as a joke, Barth obsessively and depressively copes with a tenuous job situation and some vague allegations about the charges against him in Florida,” The New York Times wrote in a 1977 review of the exhibition’s opening week. “Barth will only say that his lawyer thinks he has ‘too good a case to fall for’.”

He was also known for his roles in the film Clue (1985) and the television series Roseanne and Arrested Development. He also played the character Bob Bradley, Assistant to the main character in the political sitcom “Veep”.

Most recently, Mr. Mall appeared in the Fox television series “Wonderful kids” The film revolves around a group of rule-breaking friends who live in a retirement community.

Martin E. Moll was born on August 18, 1943, in Chicago to Harold and Betty Moll. He holds degrees from the Rhode Island School of Design. currency She has appeared in art galleries and at the Whitney and Metropolitan Museums.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter named Maggie Moll.

In a 2018 interview with The Times, he described his approach to his art as “going back and finding old Life and Look magazines, family photos of people and things like that, and then I put them together, make my own pictures and then paint them.”

A full obituary will follow.

Alain Delacouriere Contributed to research.