Crocodile Dundee star Mark Blum dies at 69 from complications due to coronavirus

Actor Mark Blum most famous for starring in flicks like Crocodile Dundee and Desperately Seeking Susan has died from complications due to the coronavirus. He was 69.

Blum also starred in the hit series You and was a veteran Broadway performer.

Playwrights Horizon announced his tragic passing on Twitter.

"With love and heavy hearts, Playwrights Horizons pays tribute to Mark Blum, a dear longtime friend and a consummate artist who passed this week," read the tweet.

"Thank you, Mark, for all you brought to our theatre, and to theatres and audiences across the world. We will miss you."

Blum played Richard Mason in the 1986 comedic adventure film Crocodile Dundee, which tells the story of an American journalist, Sue Charlton, who travels Down Under to interview an Australian crocodile hunter called Mick Dundee (played by Paul Hogan) — a unique crocodile poacher. Richard was Sue's editor boyfriend at the beginning of the film.

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Blum also acted in 1985's DSS playing Gary Glass and was well-known among the theatre scene starring in Gore Vidal's The Best Man, Neil Simon's Lost in Yonkers and a Playwrights Horizons rendition of Albert Innaurto's Gus and Al.

Blum leaves behind his wife Janet Zarish who is an actress and acting teacher.

The rapidly spreading coronavirus has already claimed the lives of American playwright Terrence McNally and celebrity chef Floyd Cardoz.

Celebrities Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson, Idris Elba and The Bachelor US' Colton Underwood are among those who have tested positive for the virus.

The rapidly spreading coronavirus has already claimed the lives of American playwright Terrence McNally and celebrity chef Floyd Cardoz.

Coronavirus: What you need to know

What are the symptoms of someone infected with coronavirus?

Coronavirus patients may experience flu like symptoms such as a fever, cough, runny nose, or shortness of breath. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia with severe acute respiratory distress.

What is the difference between COVID-19 and the flu?

The symptoms of COVID-19 and the flu are very similar, as they both can cause fever and respiratory issues.

Both infections are also transmitted the same way, via coughing or sneezing, or by contact with hands, surfaces or objects contaminated with the virus.

The speed of transmission and the severity of the infection are the key differences between COVID-19 and the flu.

The time from infection to the appearance of symptoms is typically shorter with the flu. However, there are higher proportions of severe and critical COVID-19 infections.