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Martin Mull, the comedic actor, musician and artist who gained widespread attention in the 1970s in shows such as \u201cMary Hartman, Mary Hartman\u201d and \u201cFernwood 2-Night,\u201d and remained active in television and film over the next half-century, died on Thursday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 80.<\/p>\n
His wife, Wendy Mull, confirmed his death. He died after a long illness, his family said. No cause was given.<\/p>\n
In \u201cMary Hartman,\u201d Mr. Mull played Garth Gimble, a domestic abuser who met his demise by being impaled on the star atop an aluminum Christmas tree.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
He starred in the show\u2019s subsequent spinoff, \u201cFernwood 2-Night,\u201d a parody of talk shows that aired in 1977. He played the talk-show host Barth Gimble, the twin brother of Garth Gimble.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\u201cWith an undistinguished blond mustache, which may or may not be intended as a joke, Barth copes manic\u2010depressively with a shaky job situation and some hazy allegations about charges pending against him in Florida,\u201d The New York Times wrote in a review<\/a> in 1977 of the show\u2019s opening week. \u201cBarth will say only that his lawyer thinks he has \u2018a pretty darn good case for entrapment.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n He was also known for his roles in \u201cClue\u201d (1985) and the television shows \u201cRoseanne\u201d and \u201cArrested Development.\u201d He also played the character Bob Bradley,<\/a> an aide to the main character in the political sitcom \u201cVeep.\u201d<\/p>\n More recently, Mr. Mull appeared in the Fox television series \u201cThe Cool Kids,\u201d<\/a> about a group of rule-breaking friends living in a retirement community.<\/p>\n Martin E. Mull was born on Aug. 18, 1943, in Chicago to Harold and Betty Mull. He earned degrees from the Rhode Island School of Design. His work<\/a> appeared in gallery shows and in the Whitney and Metropolitan museums.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n In addition to his wife, he is survived by a daughter, Maggie Mull.<\/p>\n