Actor Mark Blum, who starred in “Desperately Seeking Susan,” “Crocodile Dundee,” and the Netflix series “You,” died on March 25 from CCP virus complications, his wife confirmed.
“My husband passed away yesterday, March 25, from complications from the coronavirus. He died at New York-Presbyterian Hospital,” said his wife Janet Zarish in an email to Fox News.
Blum was 69.
He most recently acted on the HBO series “Succession,” Amazon’s “Mozart in the Jungle,” and the Netflix series “You” in supporting roles and was a regular player with the off-Broadway theater company Playwrights Horizons in New York.
Playwrights Horizons and SAG-AFTRA Executive Vice President Rebecca Damon confirmed Blum’s death on Thursday and paid tribute to him.
“It is with such deep sorrow that I’m writing to share the news that our friend and former board member Mark Blum has passed away as a result of complications from the coronavirus,” Damon tweeted.
“Mark was a dedicated Screen Actors Guild and SAG-AFTRA board member serving from 2007-2013, a passionate champion for a merger, and a tireless advocate for members. Those of us lucky enough to have known him will treasure our memories of a gifted actor, a master teacher, a loyal friend, and a beautiful human.”
Playwrights Horizons tweeted: “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.”
A New Jersey native, Blum started acting on stage in the 1970s and received an Obie Award for his performance in the Playwrights Horizons production of Albert Innaurato’s “Gus and Al.”
Rosanna Arquette, who played Blum’s wife in the movie “Desperately Seeking Susan” told TheWrap: “I’m sad about this. He was really very kind, was always supportive and funny, a gentleman and a great actor who loved the work. I’m so sad for his family and all the people who love him. This is a tragedy on so many levels. Rest in peace and power Mark Blum.”
Madonna also paid tribute to Blum on her 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!”
She added: “Another reminder that this virus is no joke, nothing to be casual about or pretend won’t affect us in some way. We need to stay grateful—be hopeful—help each other and follow the quarantine rules!”
According to WTSP, the CCP virus has sickened Broadway veterans including Gavin Creel, Aaron Tveit, and Laura Bell Bundy and composer David Bryan.
“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” costumer Josh Wallwork also died this week from CCP virus complications at age 45.
NTD News refers to the novel coronavirus, which causes the disease COVID-19, as the CCP virus because the Chinese Communist Party’s coverup and mismanagement allowed the virus to spread throughout China and create a global pandemic.
From NTD News
