Martin Mull was an absolute comic force and one of the finest talents to grace our screens. A true chameleon, he played every type of person imaginable. He often played with his appearance by poking fun at authority figures with a well-groomed mustache and perfectly placed glasses or by pairing his serious voice with over-the-top liberals. His portrayal of Colonel Mustard on “Clue” is as endlessly quotable as Gene Parmesan on “Arrested Development,” and his witty sense of humor earned him the coveted centerpiece spot on “Hollywood Squares” in the show’s final season. His extensive resume boasts a career that most people could only dream ofand by all accounts, he was as wonderful off the screen as he was on.
He was the kind of actor who would instantly elevate any project simply by appearing, whether as the evil clown in the Mary-Kate and Ashley movie “How the West Was Fun” or in his Emmy-nominated guest role on “Veep” as Alzheimer’s-afflicted political aide Bob Bradley. Mull was a consummate master of satire, irony and deliciously dry humor, and his distinctive voice made him a dream host for animated series such as “The Simpsons,” “Family Guy,” “Dexter’s Laboratory,” “The Wild Thornberrys,” “American Dad” and “Bob’s Burgers.”
Mull once said, “A cult following is a nice way of saying that very few people like you,” as a way of mocking fans of his work. Well, the collective mourning following his passing proves that his cult following extended beyond its accepted scope, and much more than just a few people who loved him a lot. Martin Mull was a singular talent who helped shape the sense of humor for a generation, and he will be greatly missed.
May he rest in peace.
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