Stage, film actor Mark Blum dies due to COVID-19 complications
Veteran American stage actor Mark Blum passed away due to complications from the novel coronavirus (or the COVID-19) disease, The Wrap reports. He was 69 years old. While Blum appeared in several Broadway and other theater productions, he was perhaps best known for his roles in comedy Hollywood movies from the 1980s, Desperately Seeking Susan and Crocodile Dundee. May his soul rest in peace.
Blum also appeared in TV series 'Succession' and 'You'
The news was first shared by New York-based Playwrights Horizon, an off-Broadway theater company, where Blum acted regularly. He also won an Obie Award for his performance in Playwrights Horizons production of a play from Albert Innaurato, Gus and Al. More recently, he appeared in supporting roles on HBO TV series Succession, Netflix drama series You, and Amazon comedy series Mozart in the Jungle.
Playwrights Horizons and SAG lamented Blum's demise
In a tweet, posted Thursday, Playwrights Horizons paid tribute to Blum, who they termed as "a dear long-time friend and a consummate artist." "Thank you, Mark, for all you brought to our theater, and to theaters and audiences across the world. We will miss you," the company added. The Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA) also lamented Blum's passing away.
Earlier this week, playwright Terrence McNally died of coronavirus
Blum's is at least the second coronavirus-related death to hit the New York theater community. Earlier this week, Tony Award-winning playwright Terrence McNally succumbed to COVID-19 complications. He was 81 years old.
With love and heavy hearts, wrote Playwrights Horizons
A remarkable human, actor and friend: Madonna
Hollywood isn't prone to the virus either
Blum's demise is yet another reminder of the catastrophic effect of the novel coronavirus pandemic, which has so far killed 24,113 around the world and infected more than half a million. Like all industries out there, Hollywood isn't prone to the deadly virus either. In fact, noted actors like Tom Hanks, Idris Elba, Kristofer Hivju and Indira Varma also contracted the coronavirus.
