Martin Mull
Encyclopedia
Martin Mull is an American
actor who has starred in his own television sitcom
and acted in prominent films. He is also a comedian
, painter
, and recording artist. He is a satirist and incorporates his comedic sense into all of his work.
, when he was two years old. They stayed there until he was to 15 years old, when his family moved to New Canaan, Connecticut
, where he attended and graduated from public high school. He studied painting and went on to graduate from the Rhode Island School of Design
with a Bachelor of Fine Arts
and a Master of Fine Arts
in painting.
performances and comedic song recordings including opening for Frank Zappa
at Austin
's Armadillo World Headquarters
in 1973 and for Bruce Springsteen
at the Shady Grove Music Fair in Gaithersburg, Maryland
, in October 1974, his first famous role was as twins Garth and Barth Gimble in the television nighttime absurdist soap opera
Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman
(1976), which led to spin-off
comedy talk shows Fernwood 2 Night (1977) and America 2-Night
(1978), in which he played Barth Gimble as talk show host, opposite Fred Willard
as sidekick Jerry Hubbard. In one episode of The Golden Girls
, he played a hippie
who was afraid of the outside world. In the mid-1980s, he appeared in a series of Pizza Hut
commercials. In 1979, he appeared in the Taxi
episode "Hollywood Calling". During 1984, Mull starred in a CBS
sitcom, Domestic Life
, with Megan Follows
playing his teenaged daughter. He had a long-running role playing Roseanne Conner's gay
boss on the TV series Roseanne
. He has appeared as a guest star on the game show Hollywood Squares
, appearing as the center square in the show's final season. During 2008 and 2009, Mull guest starred in two episodes of the television series Gary Unmarried
as Allison's father.
He has acted in feature film
s, including:
Recurring roles followed on several television series:
During the 1980s, Mull starred in a series of commercials for Michelob and in a series of television and radio
commercials for Red Roof Inn
(a chain of budget-oriented hotels. Mull voiced the role of The Evil Cad on Freakazoid!
He also did the voice of Vlad Masters/Vlad Plasmius, the main villain on Danny Phantom
. In late 2004, he portrayed "Gene Parmesan", a private investigator
on the TV series Arrested Development.
In the animated series Family Guy
, the name of the elementary school is Martin Mull Elementary.
. The two have a daughter, Maggie.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor who has starred in his own television sitcom
Situation comedy
A situation comedy, often shortened to sitcom, is a genre of comedy that features characters sharing the same common environment, such as a home or workplace, accompanied with jokes as part of the dialogue...
and acted in prominent films. He is also a comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
, painter
Painting
Painting is the practice of applying paint, pigment, color or other medium to a surface . The application of the medium is commonly applied to the base with a brush but other objects can be used. In art, the term painting describes both the act and the result of the action. However, painting is...
, and recording artist. He is a satirist and incorporates his comedic sense into all of his work.
Early years and education
Mull was born in Chicago, Illinois, and moved with his family to North Ridgeville, OhioNorth Ridgeville, Ohio
North Ridgeville,is a city located along the eastern border of Lorain County, Ohio, United States. The city's population was 29,465 at the 2010 census. A west side suburb of Cleveland, North Ridgeville is the number 1 fastest growing city in the entire Greater Cleveland area.Located from Cleveland...
, when he was two years old. They stayed there until he was to 15 years old, when his family moved to New Canaan, Connecticut
New Canaan, Connecticut
New Canaan is a town in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States, northeast of Stamford, on the Fivemile River. The population was 19,738 according to the 2010 census.The town is one of the most affluent communities in the United States...
, where he attended and graduated from public high school. He studied painting and went on to graduate from the Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design is a fine arts and design college located in Providence, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1877. Located at the base of College Hill, the RISD campus is contiguous with the Brown University campus. The two institutions share social, academic, and community resources and...
with a Bachelor of Fine Arts
Bachelor of Fine Arts
In the United States and Canada, the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, usually abbreviated BFA, is the standard undergraduate degree for students seeking a professional education in the visual or performing arts. In some countries such a degree is called a Bachelor of Creative Arts or BCA...
and a Master of Fine Arts
Master of Fine Arts
A Master of Fine Arts is a graduate degree typically requiring 2–3 years of postgraduate study beyond the bachelor's degree , although the term of study will vary by country or by university. The MFA is usually awarded in visual arts, creative writing, filmmaking, dance, or theatre/performing arts...
in painting.
Career
Following a period of stand-up comedyStand-up comedy
Stand-up comedy is a comedic art form. Usually, a comedian performs in front of a live audience, speaking directly to them. Their performances are sometimes filmed for later release via DVD, the internet, and television...
performances and comedic song recordings including opening for Frank Zappa
Frank Zappa
Frank Vincent Zappa was an American composer, singer-songwriter, electric guitarist, record producer and film director. In a career spanning more than 30 years, Zappa wrote rock, jazz, orchestral and musique concrète works. He also directed feature-length films and music videos, and designed...
at Austin
Austin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
's Armadillo World Headquarters
Armadillo World Headquarters
The Armadillo World Headquarters was the premier music hall and entertainment center in Austin, Texas, United States from 1970 to 1980.-History:...
in 1973 and for Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Frederick Joseph Springsteen , nicknamed "The Boss," is an American singer-songwriter who records and tours with the E Street Band...
at the Shady Grove Music Fair in Gaithersburg, Maryland
Gaithersburg, Maryland
Gaithersburg is a city in Montgomery County, Maryland, United States. The city had a population of 59,933 at the 2010 census, making it the fourth largest incorporated city in the state, behind Baltimore, Frederick, and Rockville...
, in October 1974, his first famous role was as twins Garth and Barth Gimble in the television nighttime absurdist soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman
Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman
Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman is an American soap opera parody that aired in daily syndication from January 1976 to May 1977. The series was produced by Norman Lear, directed by Joan Darling and starred Louise Lasser...
(1976), which led to spin-off
Spin-off (media)
In media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
comedy talk shows Fernwood 2 Night (1977) and America 2-Night
America 2-Night
America 2-Night is the continuation of the talk-show parody series Fernwood 2 Night. It ran from April to July 1978. As in Fernwood, Barth Gimble was the host and Jerry Hubbard was his co-host...
(1978), in which he played Barth Gimble as talk show host, opposite Fred Willard
Fred Willard
Fred Willard is an American actor, comedian, and voice over actor, best known for his improvisational comedy skills. He is known for his roles in the Christopher Guest mockumentary films This is Spinal Tap, Waiting for Guffman, Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, and For Your Consideration as well as...
as sidekick Jerry Hubbard. In one episode of The Golden Girls
The Golden Girls
The Golden Girls is an American sitcom created by Susan Harris, which originally aired on NBC from September 14, 1985, to May 9, 1992. Starring Bea Arthur, Betty White, Rue McClanahan and Estelle Getty, the show centers on four older women sharing a home in Miami, Florida...
, he played a hippie
Hippie
The hippie subculture was originally a youth movement that arose in the United States during the mid-1960s and spread to other countries around the world. The etymology of the term 'hippie' is from hipster, and was initially used to describe beatniks who had moved into San Francisco's...
who was afraid of the outside world. In the mid-1980s, he appeared in a series of Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut
Pizza Hut is an American restaurant chain and international franchise that offers different styles of pizza along with side dishes including pasta, buffalo wings, breadsticks, and garlic bread....
commercials. In 1979, he appeared in the Taxi
Taxi (TV series)
Taxi was an American sitcom that originally aired from 1978 to 1982 on ABC and from 1982 to 1983 on NBC. The series, which won 18 Emmy Awards, including three for "Outstanding Comedy Series", focuses on the everyday lives of a handful of New York City taxi drivers and their abusive dispatcher...
episode "Hollywood Calling". During 1984, Mull starred in a CBS
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
sitcom, Domestic Life
Domestic Life
"Domestic Life" is a single by American country music artist John Conlee. Released in 1987, it was the first single from the album American Faces. The song reached #4 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles & Tracks chart.-Chart perofrmance:...
, with Megan Follows
Megan Follows
Megan Elizabeth Laura Diana Follows is a Canadian/American actress. She is most known to international audiences for her role as Anne Shirley in the acclaimed 1985 Canadian television miniseries Anne of Green Gables and its two sequels.-Biography:Follows was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada as the...
playing his teenaged daughter. He had a long-running role playing Roseanne Conner's gay
Gay
Gay is a word that refers to a homosexual person, especially a homosexual male. For homosexual women the specific term is "lesbian"....
boss on the TV series Roseanne
Roseanne (TV series)
Roseanne is an American sitcom broadcast on ABC from October 18, 1988 to May 20, 1997. Starring Roseanne Barr, the show revolved around the Conners, an Illinois working class family...
. He has appeared as a guest star on the game show Hollywood Squares
Hollywood Squares
Hollywood Squares is an American panel game show in which two contestants play tic-tac-toe to win cash and prizes. The "board" for the game is a 3 × 3 vertical stack of open-faced cubes, each occupied by a celebrity seated at a desk and facing the contestants...
, appearing as the center square in the show's final season. During 2008 and 2009, Mull guest starred in two episodes of the television series Gary Unmarried
Gary Unmarried
Gary Unmarried was an American sitcom created by Ed Yeager, which ran on CBS from September 24, 2008 to March 17, 2010. The series focuses on a recently divorced couple sharing custody of their kids while starting new relationships...
as Allison's father.
He has acted in feature film
Feature film
In the film industry, a feature film is a film production made for initial distribution in theaters and being the main attraction of the screening, rather than a short film screened before it; a full length movie...
s, including:
- FMFM (film)FM is a 1978 directed by John A. Alonzo, and starring Michael Brandon, Eileen Brennan, Alex Karras and Cleavon Little. The screenplay was written by Ezra Sacks.This film was produced by Universal Pictures, and originally released to movie theaters in 1978....
(1978) as Eric Swan - SerialSerial (1980 film)Serial is a comedy film from 1980 produced by Paramount Pictures. The screenplay, by Rich Eustis and Michael Elias, is drawn from the novel The Serial: A Year in the Life of Marin County by Cyra McFadden, published in 1977...
(1980) as Harvey Holroyd - My BodyguardMy BodyguardMy Bodyguard is a 1980 comedy-drama film released by 20th Century Fox, directed by Tony Bill , and written by Alan Ormsby...
(1980) as Mr. Peache - Take This Job and Shove ItTake This Job and Shove It (film)Take This Job and Shove It is a 1981 film starring Robert Hays, Barbara Hershey, Art Carney, and David Keith, and directed by Gus Trikonis....
(1981) as Dick Ebersol - Mr. MomMr. MomMr. Mom is a 1983 American comedy-drama film directed by Stan Dragoti and written by John Hughes about a stay-at-home dad. The film stars Michael Keaton, Teri Garr, Jeffrey Tambor, Christopher Lloyd, and Martin Mull.-Plot:...
(1983) as Ron - Bad MannersBad MannersBad Manners are an English 2 Tone ska band. They quickly became the novelty favourites of the UK pop scene through their bald outsized frontman's on-stage antics, earning early exposure through their Top of The Pops exploits and an appearance in the live film documentary, Dance Craze.They were at...
(1984) - ClueClue (film)Clue is a 1985 comedy mystery film based on the board game of the same name . The film is a murder mystery set in a Gothic Revival mansion, and is styled after Murder by Death and other various murder/dinner parties of mystery...
(1985) as Colonel Mustard - O.C. and StiggsO.C. and StiggsO.C. and Stiggs is a 1987 film directed by Robert Altman, based on two characters that were originally featured in a series of stories published in National Lampoon magazine. The film stars Daniel H. Jenkins and Neill Barry as the title characters...
(1985) as Pat Coletti - Far Out ManFar Out ManFar Out Man was a 1990 comedy film written, directed by and starring Tommy Chong. It was filmed in Los Angeles, California, USA. Cinetel Films produced the movie and it was distributed in USA theaters by New Line Cinema, Sony Video , Platinum Disc , and RCA/Columbia Pictures Home Video...
(1990) as Dr. Leddledick - Mrs. DoubtfireMrs. DoubtfireMrs. Doubtfire is a 1993 American comedy film starring Robin Williams and Sally Field and based on the novel Madame Doubtfire by Anne Fine. It was directed by Chris Columbus and distributed by 20th Century Fox. It won the Academy Award for Best Makeup...
(1993) as Justin Gregory - How the West Was FunHow the West Was Fun-Synopsis:Twin girls Jessica and Susie live with their father, Steven in the city. They have a dream about somebody saying "This town ain't big enough for the 3 of us" and having a shootout but argue who makes their move first. One day, they receive a letter from their godmother Natty inviting...
(1994) as Bart Gifooley - Jingle All the WayJingle All the WayJingle All the Way is a 1996 American family comedy film directed by Brian Levant and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sinbad, Phil Hartman, Rita Wilson, Jake Lloyd, James Belushi and Robert Conrad...
(1996) as D.J. - Relative StrangersRelative Strangers-Plot:Thirty-four year old psychologist, Richard Clayton parents reveal to him that he was adopted. He then sets out to find out who his biological parents are, but disaster ensues when it turns out that his parents, Frank and Agnes Menure , are crude, lower class carnies...
(2006) as Jeffry Morton - KillersKillers (2010 film)Killers is a 2010 American romantic comedy action film starring Katherine Heigl, Ashton Kutcher, Tom Selleck and Catherine O'Hara. The film was released in the United States and Canada on June 4, 2010...
(2010) as Holbrook
Recurring roles followed on several television series:
- Mary Hartman, Mary HartmanMary Hartman, Mary HartmanMary Hartman, Mary Hartman is an American soap opera parody that aired in daily syndication from January 1976 to May 1977. The series was produced by Norman Lear, directed by Joan Darling and starred Louise Lasser...
(as Garth Gimble; 1976-1977) - Fernwood 2 Night (as Barth Gimble; 1977)
- It's Garry Shandling's ShowIt's Garry Shandling's ShowIt's Garry Shandling's Show is an American sitcom which was initially broadcast on Showtime from 1986 to 1990. It was created by Garry Shandling and Alan Zweibel. The show is notable for its frequent use of breaking the fourth wall to allow characters to speak directly to the audience...
- RoseanneRoseanne (TV series)Roseanne is an American sitcom broadcast on ABC from October 18, 1988 to May 20, 1997. Starring Roseanne Barr, the show revolved around the Conners, an Illinois working class family...
(as Leon Carp; 1991–1997) - Family DogFamily DogFamily Dog is an American animated television series that only aired 10 episodes for one year on CBS, due to negative reviews. The plot of the story was about an average suburban family, the Binsfords, as told through the eyes of their dog, It first appeared as an episode of the TV show Amazing...
- The SimpsonsThe SimpsonsThe Simpsons is an American animated sitcom created by Matt Groening for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series is a satirical parody of a middle class American lifestyle epitomized by its family of the same name, which consists of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie...
(as Seth) - Sabrina, the Teenage Witch (as Willard Kraft; 1997–2000)
- The Ellen ShowThe Ellen ShowThe Ellen Show is a television sitcom starring Ellen DeGeneres that aired during the 2001–2002 season on CBS. It was DeGeneres's second attempt at a sitcom, after Ellen on ABC , but it was unable to garner strong ratings and was quickly cancelled.After coming out of the closet as a lesbian on her...
- Reba (2003) as a counselor
- Family GuyFamily GuyFamily Guy is an American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a dysfunctional family consisting of parents Peter and Lois; their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie; and their anthropomorphic pet dog Brian...
episode "If I'm Dyin', I'm Lyin'" (as Mr. Harris) - American Dad!American Dad!American Dad! is an American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane and owned by Underdog Productions and Fuzzy Door Productions. It is produced in association with 20th Century Fox Television...
(as Father Donovan) - The War at HomeThe War at Home (TV series)The War at Home is an American sitcom that ran from September 11, 2005 to April 22, 2007 on Fox. It follows the antics of a largely dysfunctional Long Island family...
- Danny PhantomDanny PhantomDanny Phantom is an American animated television series created by Butch Hartman for Nickelodeon, produced by Billionfold Studios. The show was about a teenage half-ghost boy, who frequently saves his town and the world from ghost attacks, while attempting to keep his ghost half a secret...
(as Vlad PlasmiusVlad PlasmiusVlad Plasmius, the evil alter ego to Vladmir "Vlad" Masters is a fictional character, a supervillain from the television show Danny Phantom, created by Butch Hartman, Shannon Tendell, and Stephen Silver. He is the main antagonist of the series and serves as Danny's arch-enemy but he also fits the...
/Vlad Masters) - Two and a Half MenTwo and a Half MenTwo and a Half Men is an American television sitcom that premiered on CBS on September 22, 2003. Starring Charlie Sheen, Jon Cryer, and Angus T. Jones, the show was originally about a hedonistic jingle writer, Charlie Harper; his uptight brother, Alan; and Alan's growing son, Jake...
(as Russell, the pharmacist; 2008–2011) - The Larry Sanders ShowThe Larry Sanders ShowThe Larry Sanders Show is a satirical television sitcom that aired from August 1992 to May 1998 on the HBO cable television network in the United States. It starred stand-up comedian Garry Shandling as vain, neurotic talk show host Larry Sanders, and centered on the running of his TV show, and the...
(as himself) - 'Til Death'Til Death’Til Death is an American sitcom which aired on the Fox network from September 7, 2006, to June 20, 2010. The series was created by husband-and-wife team Josh Goldsmith and Cathy Yuspa, who were also the writers and executive-producers...
During the 1980s, Mull starred in a series of commercials for Michelob and in a series of television and radio
Radio
Radio is the transmission of signals through free space by modulation of electromagnetic waves with frequencies below those of visible light. Electromagnetic radiation travels by means of oscillating electromagnetic fields that pass through the air and the vacuum of space...
commercials for Red Roof Inn
Red Roof Inn
Red Roof Inn is an economy hotel chain in the United States. Red Roof Inn properties are often distinguished by the large dark-red shingle roof that gives them their name. There are over 340 Red Roof Inns, primarily in the Midwest, Southern, and Eastern United States...
(a chain of budget-oriented hotels. Mull voiced the role of The Evil Cad on Freakazoid!
Freakazoid!
Freakazoid! is an American animated television series created by Steven Spielberg, Bruce Timm, and Paul Dini for the Kids' WB programming block of The WB. The series chronicles the adventures of the title character, Freakazoid, a manic, insane superhero who battles with an array of super villains....
He also did the voice of Vlad Masters/Vlad Plasmius, the main villain on Danny Phantom
Danny Phantom
Danny Phantom is an American animated television series created by Butch Hartman for Nickelodeon, produced by Billionfold Studios. The show was about a teenage half-ghost boy, who frequently saves his town and the world from ghost attacks, while attempting to keep his ghost half a secret...
. In late 2004, he portrayed "Gene Parmesan", a private investigator
Private investigator
A private investigator , private detective or inquiry agent, is a person who can be hired by individuals or groups to undertake investigatory law services. Private detectives/investigators often work for attorneys in civil cases. Many work for insurance companies to investigate suspicious claims...
on the TV series Arrested Development.
In the animated series Family Guy
Family Guy
Family Guy is an American animated television series created by Seth MacFarlane for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series centers on the Griffins, a dysfunctional family consisting of parents Peter and Lois; their children Meg, Chris, and Stewie; and their anthropomorphic pet dog Brian...
, the name of the elementary school is Martin Mull Elementary.
Personal life
Twice divorced, Mull is married to singer Wendy HaasWendy Haas
Wendy Haas-Mull is an American vocalist and keyboardist best known for her work with the bands Santana and Azteca. She is the wife of actor/comedian Martin Mull.-Biography:...
. The two have a daughter, Maggie.
Discography
- Martin Mull (1972)
- "Dueling Tubas" (Single) charted at #92 on Billboard's Hot 100 (1973)
- Martin Mull and His Fabulous Furniture In Your Living Room! (1973)
- Normal (1974)
- In The Soop With Martin Mull (1974)
- Days Of Wine And Neuroses (1975)
- I'm Everyone I've Ever Loved (1977)
- No Hits, Four Errors- The Best Of Martin Mull (1977)
- Sex & Violins (1978)
- Near Perfect/Perfect (1979)
- Mulling it Over- A Musical Ouvre-View of Martin Mull (1998)
Artworks
- at Beitzel Gallery in New York City
- at Rena Bransten Gallery in San Francisco
- Martin Mull on Artnet
- at Hammer Gallery in Chicago
- at Samuel Freeman in Los Angeles