Mark Blum

After starting his career in theatre, Mark Blum appeared in a number of hit films during the mid-'80s, many of which were written or directed by top names in the comedy field. He made his big-screen debut with a small role in "Lovesick," the 1983 Dudley Moore vehicle by "Annie Hall" co-writer Marshall Brickman. This was shortly followed by "Desperately Seeking Susan," in which he played Gary Glass, the husband of a discontented suburban housewife (played by Rosanna Arquette) who becomes obsessed with a woman who leaves messages in the personal ads section of a newspaper; and ""Crocodile" Dundee," wherein he played the title character's romantic rival. During this time, Blum also appeared in the decidedly non-comedic '88 thriller "The Presidio" as a villain, a wealthy man somehow connected to a shooting at an Army base. In '87, he costarred on a television sitcom for the first time, but the resulting "Sweet Surrender" was quickly canceled, as was his 1990 series "Capital News," which centered around a Washington, D.C. newspaper. However, Blum was no stranger to television and movie audiences during the '90s and 2000s, guest starring in everything from crime dramas to comedies. Mark Blum died in New York City on March 25, 2020, having contracted the virus COVID-19. He was 69.