'Succession' Actor Mark Blum Dies Of Coronavirus Complications, Reactions Pour In

KEY POINTS

His wife, Janet Jarish, confirmed the news
His best-known works are “Desperately Seeking Susan,” “The West Wing”, “Frasier”, “Roseanne”, “NYPD Blue”, and “The Practice”
He will appear posthumously in the fifth season of Showtime’s “Billions”
Blum last appeared in hit series “You” as Mr. Mooney, the bookstore owner and father figure of Penn Badgley

Mark Blum, the 69-year-old actor who essayed character roles in several popular television series and film projects over the years, died Thursday after contracting the coronavirus.

"My husband passed away yesterday, March 25th, from complications from the Corona Virus. He died at New York-Presbyterian Hospital," Blum’s wife, Janet Jarish, informed FOX News in an e-mail.

Rebecca Damon, executive vice president of SAG-AFTRA, also confirmed his death on Twitter, noting that Blum had previously served at the organization’s board during 2007-2013.

Blum was best known for playing opposite Madonna in “Desperately Seeking Susan,” a 1985 cult comedy. Calling his death “really tragic,” Madonna extended her condolences to his family and loved ones. “I remember him as funny, warm, loving, and professional when we made Desperately Seeking Susan in 1985," she said on Instagram.

Blum started his career with a guest role on “St. Elsewhere” in 1980 and had featured in a string of TV works like “The West Wing”, “Frasier”, “Roseanne”, “NYPD Blue”, “The Practice” , "Law & Order," and "Succession." He appeared in the hit series “You” in 2018 where he portrayed Mr. Mooney, the bookstore owner and Joe Goldberg’s (Penn Badgley) father figure. He will appear posthumously on the fifth season of “Billions,” a television drama, slated for an early May release.

Blum, a beloved in the theater community for his remarkable works, was mourned by his colleagues and critics alike. “There are actors whose names appear in the announcement of a play, and you instantly think, without knowing any details: This will be work worth seeing. Mark Blum was of that wonderful caliber. Made me believe, every time I saw him. It's terrible to read of his death,” Washington Post theatre critic Peter Marks said on Twitter.

“In 2011 Mark Blum starred in my play Picked @vineyardtheatre, in a tricky role — a narcissistic filmmaker whose more human instincts collide with the desire to protect himself from emotional risk,” Playwright Christopher Shinn said in a tweet. “Mark’s performance took huge risks. He was magnificent. And the kindest man. RIP.”