News | Entertainment
4 Dec 2025 4:01
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Mark Blum has died at the age of 69

    The actor - who was best known for playing Madonna’s love interest in the iconic 1985 film ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’ - tragically passed away this week, allegedly after contracting coronavirus and developing complications


    Off-Broadway theatre Playwrights Horizons confirmed the news with a statement on Twitter which read: “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. (sic)”

    And actress Rosanna Arquette - who starred alongside Mark as his onscreen wife in ‘Susan’ - also confirmed the tragic news, after she was informed by author Sharon Waxman.

    She tweeted: “Sharon Waxman informed me of this very very hard news today I’m so deeply sad for his family and for his fans. he was a wonderful actor and a very good and kind man. May you Rest In Peace and power mark. God bless you.”

    Playwright Christopher Shinn also took to Twitter to salute Blum’s life and kindness.

    He wrote: “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. Mark’s performance took huge risks. He was magnificent. And the kindest man. RIP. (sic)”

    Alongside ‘Desperately Seeking Susan’, Mark also held roles in films including ‘Crocodile Dundee’ and ‘Blind Date’, and in television series such as ‘You’, ‘The Good Wife’, and ‘Elementary’.

    His last film role was in 2017’s ‘Coin Heist’, whilst he made his final television appearance in an episode of ‘Succession’ in 2018.

    Mark is survived by his wife, Janet Zarish.

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     03 Dec: Macaulay Culkin thinks his father deserves to "die alone"
     03 Dec: Benedict Cumberbatch needed surgery following a surfing injury
     03 Dec: Niecy Nash-Betts has revealed the All's Fair cast have a NSFW group chat without Ryan Murphy
     03 Dec: Oh. What. Fun. is a light, frivolous Christmas comedy – about motherhood and female rage
     03 Dec: Prince William's children "love" Fawlty Towers
     03 Dec: Millie Bobby Brown says she and David Harbour value their friendship "more than anything"
     03 Dec: Helena Bonham Carter says Tim Burton was sketching while she was "literally giving birth"
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    MARK ROBINSON More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    MIKE HOSKING BREAKFAST THURSDAY 4TH DECEMBER More...



     Today's News

    Christchurch:
    State Highway 1 near Waimate in South Canterbury has reopened after a crash this afternoon 21:57

    Rugby:
    MARK ROBINSON 21:17

    Law and Order:
    SIR BRIAN ROCHE 21:17

    Business:
    MIKE HOSKING BREAKFAST THURSDAY 4TH DECEMBER 21:17

    International:
    Is it better to sleep naked or wear pyjamas in summer? 21:07

    Health & Safety:
    Five new measles cases have been identified 18:57

    Business:
    Air New Zealand says strike action planned for next Monday is off for many cabin crew, but some are still planning to walk off the job 18:37

    National:
    Coral reefs have orchestrated Earth’s climate for 250 million years 18:17

    International:
    Michael and Susan Dell donate nearly $10 billion to 'Trump accounts' for children 18:17

    Law and Order:
    Auckland restaurateur Leo Molloy says he'll pay the fine the Veterinary Council's imposed - for breaching name suppression of the murderer of British backpacker, Grace Millane 18:07


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd