Who Is Martin Mull? Review: A Wonderful Tribute to a Comedy Original

Who Is Martin Mull?, the heartfelt Netflix documentary celebrating the comedian, actor, painter, and Bob Saget’s dear friend.

Actor, comedian, musician, and accomplished painter. Martin Mull was a genuine Renaissance man, and this affectionate Netflix documentary reveals just how much there was to this remarkable entertainer.

You probably know Martin Mull. You might remember him as Colonel Mustard in Clue, Leon Carp on Roseanne, or from one of his countless television appearances. You may even remember his wonderfully strange comedy performances from the 1970s.

But here’s something you might not know. Martin Mull was also an extraordinary painter. And according to Mull himself, painting was his true passion.

That’s one of the wonderful discoveries in Who Is Martin Mull?, a charming, funny, and deeply affectionate documentary now streaming on Netflix.

Co-directed by Bob Saget and Neil Berkeley, this film celebrates a man whose remarkable career touched almost every corner of entertainment. And by the time it’s over, you realize there was much more to Martin Mull than even his biggest fans might have known.

Martin Mull Was Far More Than a Familiar Face on Television

For decades, Martin Mull was one of those performers who could make practically anything funnier just by showing up.

His deadpan delivery, wonderfully offbeat humor, and ability to make the ridiculous seem perfectly reasonable made him an influential comedy voice.

During the 1970s, Mull helped push television comedy into strange new territory with Fernwood 2 Night, the wonderfully bizarre talk show parody that became a cult favorite.

He moved between stand-up comedy, music, television, and film with remarkable ease.

And he kept working.

From Clue and Roseanne to Arrested Development, his career introduced him to generation after generation of comedy fans.

What makes this documentary so fascinating is how much of his story unfolded outside those familiar roles.

Because for all his success in entertainment, Martin Mull had another career that mattered even more to him.

The Painter Behind the Comedian

This was the biggest revelation for me.

I knew Martin Mull as an actor and comedian. I had no idea just how serious and accomplished he was as a painter.

And I certainly didn’t realize that he viewed painting as his primary artistic pursuit.

For years, comedy and acting helped finance his work as a visual artist. Entertainment paid the bills while he pursued the art he loved.

Eventually, his paintings earned their own audience, with collectors purchasing his work and galleries exhibiting it.

It’s fascinating to discover that a man who seemed so completely at home making audiences laugh considered another art form his true calling.

And it changes how you look at his entire career.

What appeared to be a series of different entertainment pursuits was, in many ways, the story of an artist finding ways to support the work that meant the most to him.

Bob Saget’s Friendship Gives the Documentary Its Heart

One of the most touching elements of Who Is Martin Mull? is the involvement of Bob Saget.

Saget, of course, was a beloved comedian and actor in his own right. He was also a close friend and admirer of Mull.

He began directing this documentary before his death in January 2022. Fellow director Neil Berkeley then carried the project forward and brought it to completion.

Knowing that history gives the film an added emotional weight.

You can feel the affection behind it.

This is a documentary made by people who genuinely admired the man they were documenting. There’s warmth in the interviews and real appreciation for Mull’s humor and creativity.

It doesn’t feel like a routine celebrity biography assembled from familiar clips and talking heads.

There’s a personal quality to the film that makes it especially enjoyable.

And because Martin Mull himself participated in interviews before his death in 2024, we have the pleasure of hearing him reflect on his life and work in his own words.

What a gift.

Steve Martin and Fellow Comedians Celebrate a Remarkable Talent

Another delight is hearing from the people who knew Mull and understood just how influential he was.

Steve Martin, who toured with Mull during their early comedy careers, shares memories of their friendship and creative relationship.

Martin was also an admirer and collector of Mull’s paintings, which adds another wonderful connection between these two extraordinarily creative men.

The documentary also features contributions from fellow performers and friends, including Tom Waits and David Alan Grier.

Their memories help explain why Mull mattered so much to the people around him.

He wasn’t simply a funny actor who appeared in popular television shows.

He was a genuinely original comedy mind whose influence reached well beyond his own performances.

And there’s something especially satisfying about seeing artists celebrate another artist with such obvious affection.

A Wonderful Introduction for New Fans and a Treat for Those Who Remember Him

One of the things I appreciate most about Who Is Martin Mull? is that it works beautifully for two very different audiences.

If you’re younger and don’t know who the hell Martin Mull was, this is a terrific introduction.

You’ll discover a gifted comedian whose humor helped shape an era of television, a musician with a wonderfully unusual sensibility, and a serious visual artist whose work deserves attention of its own.

And if you grew up watching Mull, there’s a very good chance you’ll discover things you never knew about him.

I certainly did.

That gives the documentary something beyond nostalgia. It offers a fuller appreciation of an artist whose talent was much broader than his television fame might suggest.

It’s also a pleasure to spend time with Martin Mull himself, listening to his stories and watching him reflect on a life filled with artistic adventure.

Who Is Martin Mull? Review: A Loving Celebration Worth Watching

Netflix has been giving comedy fans some wonderful opportunities to revisit the lives and careers of influential performers.

Who Is Martin Mull? is a particularly welcome addition.

It’s funny, warm, informative, and filled with the kind of genuine affection that makes a documentary feel personal.

Bob Saget and Neil Berkeley have created a wonderful tribute to an artist who never seemed interested in being limited to one creative identity.

Martin Mull made people laugh for decades. He made music. He created extraordinary paintings. And he left behind a body of work that deserves to be discovered and rediscovered.

For longtime fans, this documentary is a lovely reminder of just how talented he was.

For everyone else, it’s a chance to discover someone truly special.

And if you’re a fan of good comedy, well, I’ll be the judge of that.

This is good comedy. And a wonderful documentary.

I highly recommend Who Is Martin Mull?, now streaming on Netflix.

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Who Is Martin Mull? Film Details

• Title: Who Is Martin Mull? (2026)
• Directors: Bob Saget and Neil Berkeley
• Subject: Martin Mull
• Featuring: Steve Martin, Tom Waits, David Alan Grier, and others
• Genre: Documentary, Biography, Comedy
• Runtime: 94 minutes
• Streaming: Netflix
• Release date: October 7, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I watch Who Is Martin Mull?

The documentary is available to stream on Netflix. It premiered on October 7, 2026.

Who directed Who Is Martin Mull?

The film was co-directed by Bob Saget and Neil Berkeley. Saget began the project before his death in 2022, and Berkeley completed the documentary.

Was Martin Mull also a painter?

Yes. In addition to his acting, comedy, and music careers, Mull was an accomplished visual artist. Painting was his lifelong passion, and his work was exhibited in galleries and collected by art enthusiasts.

What movies and television shows was Martin Mull known for?

Mull appeared in the movie Clue and television shows including Fernwood 2 Night, Roseanne, and Arrested Development. He was also known for his musical comedy and distinctive deadpan humor.

Did Martin Mull participate in the documentary before his death?

Yes. The film features interviews with Mull discussing his life and career. He died in June 2024, before the documentary’s 2026 release.