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The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has taken so much away from so many people. Sadly, actor Mark Blum died due to complications from coronavirus on March 26, 2020. He was 69 years old.

Though he’s passed, Blum lives on through his numerous screen performances. Although he was never a major star, he did get to appear in a number of famous films, television series, and plays over the past few decades. In honor of Blum, here’s a short look back at his life and career.

Tom Aldredge (left) and Mark Blum (right) attending the curtain call for a production of the classic play Twelve Angry Men at the Roundabout Theatre Company on October 28, 2004 in New York City, New York | Peter Kramer/Getty Images

Mark Blum’s breakthrough role

On May 14, 1950, Blum was born in Newark, New Jersey. His first major role came in 1985. That year, he worked alongside rising stars Madonna and Patricia Arquette in Desperately Seeking Susan. 

In Desperately Seeking Susan, Blum played an uptight guy who has a whirlwind romance with Madonna. The film helped cement Madonna’s image from that era – that of a vibrant, free-spirited woman who made killer outfits out of thriftstore clothes. Blum would cite his role in Desperately Seeking Susan as one of his career highlights.

Madonna mourned the passing of Mark Blum on her Instagram account.

Madonna has fond memories of her co-star. “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!” Madonna encouraged fans to take the coronavirus seriously.

Mark Blum’s other career highlights

He also appeared in  a secondary role in another well-received 1980s comedy: 1987’s Crocodile Dundee. The film was a smash hit and helped to introduce American audiences to a distinctly Australian sense of humor. Crocodile Dundees’ success led to two sequels, neither of which was made with Blum’s involvement.

In addition to his film appearances, Blum had a number of roles in television series. He acted in episodes of The Sopranos, Law & Order, NYPD Blue, Billions, and Mozart in the Jungle. More recently, he had a role in the hit Netflix thriller You. Even near the end of his life, Blum was still getting significant parts.

Paul Hogan in a scene from the hit comedy Crocodile Dundee | Paramount/Getty Images

On the stage, Blum appeared in several plays by well-known authors, Specifically, he played roles in Gore Vidal’s The Best Man, Neil Simon’s Lost in Yonkers, and Albert Innaurato’s Gus and Al. He would cite the latter role as another one of his career highlights. Because of his prominence, Blum’s death had a significant affect on the theater world.

The Playwrights Horizons, an off-Broadway theater, responded to Blum’s death by tweeting “With love and heavy hearts, Playwrights Horizons pays tribute to Mark Blum, a dear longtime friend and a consummate artist who passed this week. Thank you, Mark, for all you brought to our theater, and to theaters and audiences across the world. We will miss you.”

Also see: Orson Bean: Prolific Television Actor Dies in Tragic Car Accident

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