Mark Blum, the broadway actor and star of the movie Desperately Seeking Susan, has died due to complications from the coronavirus. He was 69.
News of his death was shared by Off Broadway theatre company Playwrights Horizons and later confirmed by actor’s union SAG-AFTRA.
“With love and heavy hearts, Playwrights Horizons pays tribute to Mark Blum, a dear longtime friend and a consummate artist who passed this week. Thank you, Mark, for all you brought to our theatre, and to theatres and audiences across the world. We will miss you,” Playwrights Horizons wrote in a tweet.
With love and heavy hearts, Playwrights Horizons pays tribute to Mark Blum, a dear longtime friend and a consummate artist who passed this week. Thank you, Mark, for all you brought to our theater, and to theaters and audiences across the world. We will miss you. pic.twitter.com/NMVZFB5hPb
— Playwrights Horizons (@phnyc) March 26, 2020
Blum made his Broadway debut in Arnold Wesker’s The Merchant in 1978. Some of his other stage credits include Gore Vidal’s The Best Man (2012) and Neil Simon’s Lost In Yonkers (1991). His most recent and final Broadway appearance was in Richard Greenberg’s The Assembled Parties (2013).
He was also a film actor. In addition to Desperately Seeking Susan, in which he co-starred with Madonna and Rosanna Arquette, Blum also appeared in Crocodile Dundee and Shattered Glass.
His television roles included Capital News, NYPD Blue, The Sopranos, Law & Order, Mozart in the Jungle and, more recently, Succession, Elementary, The Good Fight, You and Billions.
In 1989, Blum won an Obie Award for his performance in Gus and Al.
Many have taken to social media to pay tribute to Blum, including Madonna, who wrote on Instagram: “I Want to Acknowledge the Passing of a remarkable Human, fellow actor and friend Mark Blum, who succumbed to Coronavirus. This is really tragic and my heart goes out to him, his family and his loved ones. I remember him as funny warm, loving .and professional when we made Desperately Seeking Susan in 1985!!
“Another reminder that this virus is no joke, nothing to be casual about or pretend wont affect us in some way. we need to stay grateful -be hopeful- help each other-and follow the quarantine rules!”
we need to stay grateful -be hopeful- help each other-and follow the quarantine rules! #covid_19 #markblum #desperatelyseekingsusanRosanna Arquette tweeted: “Sharon Waxman informed me of this very very hard news today I’m so deeply sad for his family and for his fans. he was a wonderful actor and a very good and kind man. May you Rest In Peace and power mark. God bless you.”
Sharon Waxman informed me of this very very hard news today I’m so deeply sad for his family and for his fans. he was a wonderful actor and a very good and kind man. May you Rest In Peace and power mark. God bless you. https://t.co/r0QUGEYwVK
— Rosanna Arquette
(@RoArquette) March 26, 2020
Spider-Man 3 and That ’70s Show star Topher Grace said of Blum: “8 years ago Mark Blum played my deadbeat dad in the play Lonely, I’m Not, but he was the complete opposite in real life – generous, patient, funny. I was terrified to do live theater for the first time and he was as much a great teacher (mostly by example)…”
8 years ago Mark Blum played my deadbeat dad in the play Lonely, I’m Not, but he was the complete opposite in real life – generous, patient, funny. I was terrified to do live theater for the first time and he was as much a great teacher (mostly by example)… pic.twitter.com/ZJYmmHkkYC
— Topher Grace (@TopherGrace) March 26, 2020
James Van Der Beek wrote: “I did a play with Mark Blum in ‘97 literally the day after wrapping the #DawsonsCreek pilot. He was SO good… and generous and kind and I learned so much from him about how to be a professional – lessons that got me through the insanity that was to come. Prayers for his family.”
I did a play with Mark Blum in ‘97 literally the day after wrapping the #DawsonsCreek pilot. He was SO good… and generous and kind and I learned so much from him about how to be a professional – lessons that got me through the insanity that was to come. Prayers for his family. https://t.co/7r7dLyvOeK
— James Van Der Beek (@vanderjames) March 26, 2020
Remembering a particular moment with Blum, Van Der Beek continued: “In particular, I remember an actress being SUPER late for a performance. She’d overslept. She came in hungover & frazzled and I thought Mark Blum – a total pro – might be upset. He wasn’t. Instead, he made sure to put her at ease & let her know we were glad she was there & safe.
“Instead of chiding her, or lecturing her, he went out of his way to give her every shot at forgiving herself and giving her best performance. I never forgot that. RIP Mark Blum. Thanks for being such a good influence.”
In particular, I remember an actress being SUPER late for a performance. She’d overslept. She came in hungover & frazzled and I thought Mark Blum – a total pro – might be upset. He wasn’t. Instead, he made sure to put her at ease & let her know we were glad she was there & safe.
— James Van Der Beek (@vanderjames) March 26, 2020
Instead of chiding her, or lecturing her, he went out of his way to give her every shot at forgiving herself and giving her best performance. I never forgot that. RIP Mark Blum. Thanks for being such a good influence.
— James Van Der Beek (@vanderjames) March 26, 2020
Blum’s niece tweeted her gratitude for the tributes being paid to her uncle. Star Wars actor Mark Hamill replied: “We will never stop missing him.”
We will never stop missing him.
— Mark Hamill (@HamillHimself) March 26, 2020
See other tributes paid to Blum below:
It is clear, we will all lose people we know and love. Sweet dreams friend… https://t.co/OWo24SJJHU
— Ron Perlman (@perlmutations) March 26, 2020
One of our family of Mozart in the Jungle passed this morning from the corona virus. Mark Blum was a truly wonderful actor, but more importantly, was a funny sensitive, and beautiful man. RIP. – Malcolm pic.twitter.com/fapOBe6WYp
— Malcolm McDowell (@McDowellMalc) March 26, 2020
I am so devastated by Mark Blum’s passing. His performances in the dozens of plays I saw him in were unfailingly deep, subtle, hilarious and moving in equal measure. Seeing his name in the Playbill always meant you were in for a treat. Also just one of the loveliest humans ever. pic.twitter.com/vC5rlpRJtq
— Cynthia Nixon (@CynthiaNixon) March 26, 2020
Mark Blum was consistently a great actor and a finer man. We met when I moved to NY & were briefly TV married in 1987. Last Xmas we caught up for over an hour at a party and he was still kind and hilariously sardonic. I adored him. My heart breaks for his beautiful wife Janet. pic.twitter.com/uRT136B3Ma
— Dana Delany (@DanaDelany) March 26, 2020
I just heard the terrible news that my friend and co-star in two plays, Mark Blum, has died from the coronavirus. My heart breaks for his loss and for his wife Janet Zarish. God bless his soul. pic.twitter.com/vOJ4igEWdt
— Marlo Thomas (@MarloThomas) March 26, 2020
When I was in drama school Mark Blum was exactly the kind of actor I aspired to be: constantly employed, deeply respected, total mensch. Gutted to hear of his passing. His wife Janet Zarish was my acting teacher at NYU. They were the loveliest couple. My heart breaks for her. https://t.co/J7MvHutdge
— Josh Radnor (@JoshRadnor) March 26, 2020
Mark Blum was a dear, kind man, a fiercely talented artist, a good pal. His loss is devastating to all who loved him. Condolences to his family. Our hearts are with them.
This plague will pass, but the scars it leaves will be permanent.
Stay safe, friends.— Terry Kinney (@RealTerryKinney) March 26, 2020
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