Roseanne and Sabrina the Teenage Witch star dead after battling illness as family pays tribute
TV star Martin Mull, known for his roles in popular comedy series such as Arrested Development, Roseanne and Sabrina the Teenage Witch, has sadly passed away following an undisclosed illness, according to his family.
Martin, who had a career that spanned several decades and included hundreds of credits in television, film, comedy, and music, died on Thursday at the age of 80, his daughter confirmed.
It's understood that he had been battling this unknown illness for quite some time.
His daughter, TV producer and writer Maggie Mull, confirmed the sad news on Saturday, describing her father as someone she loved "tremendously".
"I am heartbroken to share that my father passed away at home on June 27th, after a valiant fight against a long illness," the former Family Guy producer shared on Instagram.
"He was known for excelling at every creative discipline imaginable ... He would find that joke funny. He was never not funny."
She added that her father will be "deeply missed" by all, including "by many, many dogs".
He famously played the role of Colonel Mustard in the 1985 black-comedy movie Clue, which was inspired by the board game of the same name.
Fans of 1990s television will remember him from Roseanne, where he played the lead character's boss and best friend, Leon Carp.
He also starred in the critically acclaimed Fox sitcom Arrested Development, playing private detective Gene Parmesan alongside Jessica Walter, Jason Bateman, Portia de Rossi, and Michael Cera.
Melissa Joan Hart as Sabrina the Teenage Witch
The actor, known for his roles in a variety of popular television shows including The Simpsons, Family Guy, and Two and a Half Men, has had an extensive career.
He was recognised for his talent in 2016 when he was nominated for an Emmy Award for his appearance on the HBO political satire Veep.
Tributes have started to flood in for the seasoned actor, with Melissa Joan Hart leading the way on social media.
Melissa, who is best known for her role as Sabrina Spellman in the late-90s sitcom Sabrina the Teenage Witch, shared a heartfelt tribute on her social media platforms.
The now 48 year old actress posted a touching tribute on Instagram to her high school principal character, Willard Kraft, and the man who portrayed him for 73 episodes.
"Rest in Peace, my friend. The incredible #MartinMull (Principal Kraft) has left us for his eternal rest," she wrote.
"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."
The former child star also revealed that even after their time on Sabrina The Teenage Witch, they continued to cross paths on various TV sets over the years.
"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.
She expressed her sympathy for his family, describing him as a "wonderful man".
Roseanne stars in their heyday
"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. He will be missed, but this world has benefited from his being here," she penned in a heartfelt message.
"My deepest sympathies to his family and friends."
Jennifer Tilly, the actor who shared the screen with Martin in the 1988 flick 'Rented Lips', also expressed her sorrow over the loss of someone she described as "wonderful".
"So sad to hear of the passing of Martin Mull. I worked with him a long time ago on a film called Rented Lips that he wrote and also starred in," Tilly reminisced on social media.
"He was such a witty, charismatic and kind person. As an actress just starting out, it really meant a lot to me to be able to work with such a wonderful actor."
Martin leaves behind his daughter, Maggie, and wife, Wendy Haas.