Mark Blum Remembered by Celebrities after the Broadway Actor's Recent Death from Coronavirus Complications

Broadway actor Mark Blum’s death reverberated through the entertainment industry, and celebrities from different sectors paid tribute to his contribution over the last four decades.

News of longtime actor Mark Blum death hit the media on Thursday when Playwrights Horizons confirmed the news on social media with “heavy hearts” and wrote that their “dear longtime friend” passed away this week.

Mark first hit the Broadway stage in the 1970s and became a regular on stage, with the occasional appearances on screen in films such as “Crocodile Dundee” and “Desperately Seeking Susan” in 1985 alongside Madonna.

MADONNA’S MESSAGE

“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,” Madonna wrote in her tribute to Mark, who passed away at the age of 69.

Because Mark died after contracting the coronavirus, Madonna also added in her tribute to the late actor that “this virus is no joke,” and urged everyone to follow the quarantine rules.

FORMER COLLEAGUE REACHES OUT

Having left his mark on many colleagues with over the years, writer Christopher Shinn paid tribute to Mark by recalling his “magnificent” portrayal of a “tricky role” in his play named “Picked” that featured at the Vineyard Theatre in 2011.

CYNTHIA NIXON’S TRIBUTE

Christopher described Mark as “the kindest man,” and actress Cynthia Nixon agreed, as she posted:

ROSANNA ARQUETTE PAYS TRIBUTE

Actress Rosanna Arquette, who played his on-screen wife in “Susan,” heard the news from the author Sharon Waxman, and shared that she felt “deeply sad” about the passing of such a “good and kind man.”

KIND WORDS FROM JAMES VAN DER BEEK

James van Der Beek also reached out with a memory of Mark. The pair did a play together right after James finished the “Dawson’s Creek” pilot back in 1997, and the encounter had a profound effect on James, as he wrote:

“I learned so much from him about how to be a professional - lessons that got me through the insanity. Prayers for his family.”

Mark also made guest appearances in television shows, including “Blue Bloods,” “Law & Order,” and “Seinfeld,” and he is survived by his wife and fellow actor, Janet Zarish, who is also 69 years old.

Theatre lost another big name on Tuesday, when Terrence McNally, one of the best contemporary playwrights in its history passed away due to complications from the coronavirus at the age of 81.

Terrence had previously been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and he was receiving treatment in Sarasota, Florida, at the Sarasota Memorial Hospital when he died.