Martin Mull – the star of hit TV shows such as Sabrina the Teenage Witch and Arrested Development – has sadly passed away aged 80.
Mull’s daughter, TV writer and comic artist Maggie Mull, confirmed his death, stating he died at home on Thursday following a “valiant fight against a long illness.”
Maggie wrote 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 first gained prominence in the 1970s with his role in the satirical soap opera Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, and its spinoff Fernwood Tonight.
Born in Chicago and raised in Ohio and Connecticut, Mull studied art in Rhode Island and Rome.
He became a familiar face on television in the 1990s with his recurring role as Leon Carp, Roseanne’s boss on Roseanne.
For a younger audience, Mull was best known as Principal Kraft, the overbearing headteacher in Sabrina The Teenage Witch.
He also had a memorable role in Arrested Development as private investigator Gene Parmesan and earned his first Emmy nomination in 2016 for a guest appearance on Veep.
Melissa Joan Hart has since honored her late friend and former Sabrina the Teenage Witch co-star.
Mull portrayed Principal Willard Kraft, appearing in over 70 episodes from 1997 to 2000.
Hart posted a nostalgic photo of herself and Mull in costume on set, captioning it: “Rest in Peace my friend. The incredible #MartinMull (Principal Kraft) has left us for his eternal rest.”
She continued: “I have such fond memories of working with him and being in awe of his huge body of work which before #SabrinaTheTeenageWitch included #Roseanne and #MrMom as the projects I knew him from.”
Praising Mull’s extensive career, Hart highlighted his roles in “huge shows as well as features and animation” after his stint on Sabrina.
In her tribute, Hart recounted a poignant conversation with Mull about his approach to acting.
“He once told me that he takes every job he’s offered just in case the train comes to an end, which in this business tends to halt quickly,” she wrote.
“He was an artist who liked to paint and build things with his hands, a musician and a wonderful man who I am better for knowing.”
Hart concluded her post by expressing the impact Mull had on the world. “He will be missed but this world has benefited from his being here,” she wrote.
“My deepest sympathies to his family and friends. I will continue to cherish the Martin Mull artwork hanging in my home!”
On the big screen, Mull appeared in beloved movies such as Jingle All The Way, Richie Rich’s Christmas Wish, and A Boyfriend for Christmas.
Our thoughts go out to Mull’s family, friends, and fans at this time.
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