Mark Blum

Mark Blum (May 14, 1950 – March 25, 2020) was an American actor who worked in theater, film, and television. He found success with a lead role in the 1985 film Desperately Seeking Susan, which he followed up the next year with a supporting role in Crocodile Dundee.[1] On the stage, Blum won an Obie Award for his role in the play Gus and Al during its 1988–1989 season.

Mark Blum
Born
Mark Blum

(1950-05-14)May 14, 1950
Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedMarch 25, 2020(2020-03-25) (aged 69)
New York City, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Pennsylvania
OccupationActor
Years active1976–2020
Known for
Spouse
​
(m. 2005)​

Near the end of his career, Blum had a regularly recurring role on the Amazon Prime series Mozart in the Jungle from 2014 to 2018. He also made guest appearances on dozens of shows throughout his career.

Early life

Blum was born in Newark, New Jersey, to Lorraine (née Fink) and Morton Blum, who worked in the insurance industry.[2] His family was Jewish.[3] He grew up in Maplewood, New Jersey,[4] and graduated from Columbia High School in 1968[5] and was inducted into the school's hall of fame in 2012.[6] He then went on to graduate from the University of Pennsylvania.[7][8][9]

Career

Blum started acting on stage in the 1970s. In the 1980s, he acted in the movies Lovesick (1983), Desperately Seeking Susan (1985), Just Between Friends (1986), Crocodile Dundee (1986), Blind Date (1987), and The Presidio (1988).[10] He later appeared in Coin Heist (2017).

On television, he co-starred in Sweet Surrender in 1987. He also appeared on the following programs: Capital News in 1990, Frasier in 1997, and NYPD Blue in 1999. From 2014 to 2018, he appeared in Mozart in the Jungle.[11]

Blum won an Obie Award for his performance as Al in the Playwrights Horizons production of Albert Innaurato's play, Gus and Al, during the 1988–1989 season.[10] On Broadway, he appeared in Neil Simon's Lost in Yonkers, Gore Vidal's The Best Man, and Richard Greenberg's The Assembled Parties. In 2013, he appeared as Max in the Primary Stages production of The Model Apartment. Blum was on the faculty of HB Studio in New York City.[12]

In 2018, Blum was cast in a recurring role as Ivan Mooney in the former Lifetime thriller series You.[13] He regularly acted at Playwrights Horizons, an off-Broadway theater in New York City. Blum frequently appeared on Broadway, including in the revival of Twelve Angry Men.[14] His recent Broadway credits included The Assembled Parties, Gore Vidal's The Best Man—twice—and Neil Simon's Lost in Yonkers.[15]

Blum was active in the Screen Actors Guild, having served on the New York and national boards.[16]

Personal life and death

Blum was married to actress Janet Zarish,[17] who appeared on television as Natalie Bannon on As the World Turns and as Lee Halpern on One Life to Live.[7]

Blum died from complications associated with COVID-19 at New York–Presbyterian Hospital on March 25, 2020, aged 69, during the COVID-19 pandemic in New York City.[18][19] The season 3 premieres of You and Succession were dedicated in Blum's memory,[20] as well as the second episode of the fifth season of Billions.

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1983 Lovesick Intern Murphy Romantic comedy film written and directed by Marshall Brickman [21]
1985 Desperately Seeking Susan Gary Glass [22]
1986 Just Between Friends George Margolin
1986 Crocodile Dundee Richard Mason [23]
1987 Blind Date Denny Gordon [24]
1988 The Presidio Arthur Peale [25]
1989 Worth Winning Ned Broudy [26]
1993 Emma and Elvis Ben Winchek [27]
1995 Miami Rhapsody Peter
1995 The Low Life Matthew Greenbert [28]
1995 Denise Calls Up Dr. Brennan, Obstetrician
1996 Sudden Manhattan Louis
1997 Stag Ben Marks [29]
1998 You Can Thank Me Later Edward Cooperberg [30]
2000 Down to You The Interviewer
2003 Shattered Glass Lewis Estridge [31]
2007 The Warrior Class Hal Richardson
2010 Step Up 3D NYU Professor
2011 The Green Stuart
2011 I Don't Know How She Does It Lew Reddy [32]
2013 Blumenthal Saul [33]
2015 How He Fell in Love Henry [34]
2016 No Pay, Nudity Leon [35]
2017 Coin Heist Mr. Smerconish
2019 Love Is Blind Dr. Klienart
2019 Human Capital Rex
2020 Sister of the Groom Nat Posthumous release

Television
Year Title Role Notes
1984 St. Elsewhere Dr. Vogel Episode: "Two Balls and a Strike"
1987 Sweet Surrender Ken Holden 6 episodes
1987 Miami Vice Sid Shenker Episode: "Contempt of Court"
1990 Capital News Edison King 13 episodes
1991 Roseanne Mike Summers Episode: "Aliens"
1992 Condition Critical Dr. Howard Zuckerman TV movie
1993 NYPD Blue Dr. Roland Sachs Episode: "From Hare to Eternity"
1993–1998 Law & Order Brooklyn A.D.A. Frank Lazar 2 episodes
1995 Indictment: The McMartin Trial Wayne Satz TV movie
1995 New York Undercover Dr. Vincent Episode: "The Highest Bidder"
1995 C.P.W. Ben 5 episodes
1995 Law & Order Michael Aronson Episode: "Seed"
1996 Wings Larry Mohr Episode: "What About Larry"
1996–1999 NYPD Blue FBI Agent Mike Francis 2 episodes
1997 Ink Greg Armstrong Episode: "Face Off"
1997 Frasier John Episode: "The 1000th Show"
1999 The Sopranos Randall Curtin Episode: "Meadowlands"
1999 The West Wing Rep. Katzenmoyer Episode: "Five Votes Down"
2000 Family Law Russell Hollenbeck Episode: "Stealing Home"
2001 Deadline Rabbi Jonathan Ahrenthal Episode: "The First Commandment"
2001 Ed Arnold Bancroft Episode: "Goodbye Sadie"
2002 The Practice State's Atty. Michael Scannel Episode: "Evil/Doers"
2003 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Dr. Philip Oliver Episode: "Con-Text"
2004 CSI: Miami Jim Rennert Episode: "Deadline"
2004 Judging Amy Richard Kinrich Episode: "Slade's Chophouse"
2006 Law & Order: Criminal Intent Professor Larry Lewis Episode: "Proud Flesh"
2008 New Amsterdam Dr. MacVittie Episode: "Soldier's Heart"
2008 Fringe Dr. Claus Penrose Episode: "The Same Old Story"
2009 Law & Order Expert Doctor Episode: "Dignity"
2009 Mercy Dr. Austin Episode: "I'm Not That Kind of Girl"
2010 The Good Wife Julius Kreutzer Episode: "Unplugged"
2011 Jesse Stone: Innocents Lost Dr. Parkinson TV movie
2011 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit David Arnoff Episode: "Personal Fouls"
2012 Pan Am Captain Jackson Episode: "1964"
2014–2018 Mozart in the Jungle Union Bob 30 episodes
2016 The Blacklist Noah Shuster Episode: "Lady Ambrosia (No. 77)"
2017 Difficult People Rabbi Schecter Episode: "Fuzz Buddies"
2018 You Mr. Mooney 4 episodes
2018 Elementary Ira Langstrom Episode: "Bits and Pieces"
2018–2019 Succession Bill Lockhart 2 episodes
2019 The Good Fight Julius Kreutzer Episode: "The One Where the Sun Comes Out"
2020 Almost Family Dr. Lewis Episode: "Generational AF"
2020 Tommy Jacob Fulton 2 episodes, posthumous release
2020 Billions Dr. Mark Rutenberg 1 episode, posthumous release

Video games
Year Title Role
2000 Smuggler's Run Gordon Temple
2010 Alan Wake Maurice Horton, Dr. Emil Hartman, Dr. Barclay Colvin

References
  1. "Mark Blum | Biography and Filmography | 1950". Hollywood.com. February 2, 2015. Archived from the original on September 22, 2015. Retrieved May 22, 2017.
  2. Gilbey, Ryan (March 29, 2020). "Mark Blum obituary". The Guardian. London. Archived from the original on March 30, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  3. "Mark Blum, Fixture of Off-Broadway & Loved Character Actor, Dies at 69". Broadway.com. Archived from the original on 26 March 2020. Retrieved 27 March 2020.
  4. Staff (March 26, 2020). "Mark Blum, CHS Class of '68, Lead in Desperately Seeking Susan, Mozart in the Jungle, Dies of Coronavirus". The Village Green of Maplewood & South Orange. Maplewood, New Jersey. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020. According to former Maplewood Township Committeeman Noel Siegel, Mark grew up in Maplewood and was the son of former Maplewood Planning Board Chair Mort Blum and his wife Loraine.
  5. Kuperinsky, Amy (March 26, 2020). "N.J. actor Mark Blum, star of 'Desperately Seeking Susan,' 'Mozart in the Jungle,' dies from coronavirus". NJ.com. Archived from the original on March 26, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  6. Mann, Mary (May 29, 2015). "Zach Braff Inducted Into Columbia High School Hall of Fame". The Village Green of Maplewood & South Orange. Maplewood, New Jersey. Archived from the original on November 13, 2018. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  7. "Janet Zarish". Soaps.com. June 4, 2015. Archived from the original on March 26, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  8. "Mark Blum, Longtime Character Actor, Dead of Coronavirus Complications". 26 March 2020. Archived from the original on 2020-03-26.
  9. "Remembering Mark Blum | Theatre Arts & Dance | College of Liberal Arts".
  10. McNary, Dave (March 26, 2020). "Mark Blum, 'Desperately Seeking Susan' star, dies from coronavirus complications". The Baltimore Sun. Variety. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  11. The Complete Directory to Prime Time Network and Cable TV Shows, 1946–Present. New York City: Ballantine Books. 2003. pp. 1159, 188. ISBN 978-0345497734.
  12. "Acting Teacher Mark Blum". HB Studio - Acting Classes in NYC. Archived from the original on March 26, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  13. Mitchell, Molli (January 17, 2019). "You on Netflix spoilers: What happened to Mr Mooney? What did he do to Joe?". Daily Express. London. Archived from the original on June 6, 2019. Retrieved June 6, 2019.
  14. Andrew, Scottie (March 26, 2020). "Mark Blum, actor in 'Desperately Seeking Susan' and 'You,' dies of coronavirus complications". CNN. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  15. "'A Beautiful Human.' Veteran Actor Mark Blum Dies at 69 of Coronavirus Complications". Time. Associated Press. March 26, 2020. Archived from the original on March 26, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  16. Dasrath, Diana; Li, David K. (March 26, 2020). "Mark Blum, actor on 'Law & Order' and 'Succession,' dies from coronavirus". NBC News. Archived from the original on March 29, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  17. Keller, Ilana (March 26, 2020). "Actor Mark Blum, 'Desperately Seeking Susan' and 'You' star, dies of coronavirus complications". USA Today. Mclean, Virginia: Gannett. Archived from the original on 27 March 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  18. Welk, Brian (March 26, 2020). "Mark Blum, Star of 'Desperately Seeking Susan' and 'You,' Dies at 69 Due to Coronavirus Complications". TheWrap. Santa Monica, California: The Wrap, Inc. Archived from the original on March 26, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  19. Barnes, Mike (March 26, 2020). "Mark Blum, Stage Veteran and Actor in 'Crocodile Dundee,' Dies From Coronavirus Complications at 69". The Hollywood Reporter. Los Angeles, California: Valence Media. Archived from the original on March 26, 2020. Retrieved March 26, 2020.
  20. You season 3: Who is Mark Blum, the person episode 1 is dedicated to?
  21. Canby, Vincent (February 18, 1983). "DUDLEY MOORE RETURNS IN 'LOVESICK'". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 28, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  22. "MOVIE REVIEW: DESPERATELY SEEKING FILM FUN? FIND 'SUSAN'". Los Angeles Times. March 28, 1985. Archived from the original on April 3, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  23. Attanasio, Paul (October 4, 1986). "Crocodile Dundee". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on September 18, 2019. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  24. Kempley, Rita (April 3, 1987). "Blind Date". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 28, 2017. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  25. Maslin, Janet (June 10, 1988). "Review/Film; 2 Buddies, A Murder And Love". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  26. Thomas, Kevin (October 27, 1989). "MOVIE REVIEW: Heavy-Handed Sexism Mars 'Worth Winning'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  27. McCarthy, Todd (June 18, 1992). "Emma and Elvis". Variety. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  28. McCarthy, Todd (April 7, 1995). "The Low Life". Variety. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  29. Kelly, Brendan (June 15, 1997). "Stag". Variety. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  30. Klady, Leonard (September 14, 1998). "You Can Thank Me Later". Variety. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  31. "Shattered Glass | TV Guide". TVGuide. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  32. Holden, Stephen (September 15, 2011). "Even a Things-to-Do List Seems to Be Multitasking". The New York Times. Archived from the original on July 26, 2019. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  33. Catsoulis, Jeannette (March 27, 2014). "He Died Laughing (Isn't That Sweet?)". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  34. Verongos, Helen T. (July 14, 2016). "Review: In 'How He Fell in Love,' an Extramarital Bond Unfolds". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  35. McNary, Dave (August 27, 2016). "Gabriel Byrne, Nathan Lane's 'No Pay, Nudity' Scheduled for November Release". Variety. Archived from the original on March 27, 2020. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
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