Actor Mark Blum, who starred in Desperately Seeking Susan, Crocodile Dundee and the TV series You, has died due to complications from coronavirus. He was 69.
The Playwrights Horizons theatre group and SAG-AFTRA executive vice president Rebecca Damon confirmed the news on Thursday
Blum, a New Jersey native who started acting during the 1970s, won an Obie Award for his performance in the Playwrights Horizons production of Albert Innaurato's Gus and Al during the 1988-89 season.
He's also appeared on Broadway in Neil Simon's Lost in Yonkers, Gore Vidal's The Best Man and Richard Greenberg's The Assembled Parties.
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. Mark was a dedicated Screen Actors Guild and SAG-AFTRA board member serving from 2007-2013, pic.twitter.com/aA3yPfOwh7 — Rebecca Damon (@RebeccaDamonNYC) March 26,2020
Blum played the husband of Rosanna Arquette's character, Roberta Glass, in 1985's Desperately Seeking Susan (which also starred Madonna), and Paul Hogan's rival in 1986's Crocodile Dundee. His other feature credits include Lovesick, Just Between Friends, Blind Date and The Presidio.
Blum has a recurring role on the first season of the Lifetime series You. His other TV credits include Sweet Surrender, Capital News, Frasier, NYPD Blue, Mozart In The Jungle and Coin Heist.
"This is a painful loss to our SAG-AFTRA family," said SAG-AFTRA President Gabrielle Carteris. "Mark Blum understood that all performers working in this industry share the same employers and that our strength depends on our unity. He was a visionary. Mark will be deeply missed, and our hearts go out to his wife, Janet Zarish, his friends and all of his loved ones."
Blum ls survived by his wife and fellow actor Zarish, whose credits include Law & Order, Seinfeld and Blue Bloods. – Reuters
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! #covid_19 #markblum #desperatelyseekingsusan A post shared by Madonna (@madonna) on Mar 26, 2020 at 12:58pm PDT
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