The Comedian List / Comedians / Martin Mull
Painter · musical comic · Colonel MustardMartin Mull
The painter and musical comedian behind Fernwood 2 Night, Clue’s Colonel Mustard and Arrested Development’s Gene Parmesan.
- Born
- August 18, 1943, Chicago
- Died
- June 27, 2024
- Known for
- Fernwood 2 Night · Clue
- Doc
- Who Is Martin Mull? (2026)
Who is Martin Mull?
Martin Mull was a painter, actor and comedian born in Chicago. He earned BFA and MFA degrees in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design, then broke into show business as a songwriter and spent the early 1970s as a musical comedian, opening for acts like Frank Zappa, Billy Joel and Bruce Springsteen.
His acting break came on Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman, followed by the talk-show parodies Fernwood 2 Night and America 2 Night with Fred Willard. He played Colonel Mustard in Clue, Leon on Roseanne, Gene Parmesan on Arrested Development and Russell on Two and a Half Men.
The documentary “Who Is Martin Mull?” came out in 2026. On Tuesdays with Stories #679, the hosts are watching it and call him a Renaissance man.
Timeline
- 1943Born in Chicago
- 1967MFA in painting, RISD
- 1972Debut album Martin Mull
- 1976Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman
- 1977Fernwood 2 Night
- 1985Clue; The History of White People in America
- 2024Dies June 27
- 2026Who Is Martin Mull? released
Specials, TV & more
Martin Mull FAQ
Who did Martin Mull play in Clue?
Colonel Mustard.
Was Martin Mull a painter?
Yes. He held BFA and MFA degrees in painting from the Rhode Island School of Design and painted throughout his life.
Where can I watch Who Is Martin Mull?
On Netflix.
If you like Martin
More comics on the list.
Steve Martin
Mel Brooks
Norm Macdonald
Johnny Carson
Harland Williams
David SpadePhotos: Steve Martin: Photo: Davidwbaker, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons · Mel Brooks: Photo: Angela George, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons · Norm Macdonald: Photo: Greg2600, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons · Johnny Carson: Photo: NBC Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons · Harland Williams: Photo: We Might Be Drunk Podcast, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons · David Spade: Photo: Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel Maryland, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Illustration: initials card by The Comedian List (no free-licensed photo yet). Facts checked Oct 26, 2026.
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