Actor Mark Blum has died at the age of 69 due to complication from coronavirus, his representative confirmed.
New York theatre company Playwrights Horizons first announced news of Blum’s death in a tweet shared on Thursday, in which they hailed the You and Crocodile Dundee star as “a dear longtime friend and a consummate artist.”
“With love and heavy hearts, Playwrights Horizons pays tribute to Mark Blum, a dear longtime friend and a consummate artist who passed this week,” they wrote.
“Thank you, Mark, for all you brought to our theatre, and to theatres and audiences across the world. We will miss you.”
Born in Newark, New Jersey in 1950, Blum began his career on the stage in the 70s before moving into the film industry in the 80s.
He appeared in movies including Lovesick, Desperately Seeking Susan and Crocodile Dundee throughout that decade and also had television roles in series including Frasier and NYPD Blue.
More recently, he appeared in The Good Wife, Amazon Prime drama Mozart in the Jungle, Succession and Netflix’s You.
“I’m sad about this. He was really very kind, was always supportive and funny, a gentle man and a great actor who loved the work,” his Desperately Seeking Susan co-star Patricia Arquette told TheWrap.
“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.”
Playwright Jack Canfora wrote on Twitter: “Found out a terrific actor and man whom I was lucky enough to be in one of my plays died this morning of #coronavirus.
“He wasn’t elderly. He was one of the most respected actors in New York; a beacon of fierce intelligence, dry wit & deep kindness on stage and off. A tragic loss.”
