[aberdeenwriter]

Update 1: Prolific Actor Darren McGavin Dies at 83

By GREG RISLING , 02.25.2006, 11:42 PM

Darren McGavin, the husky, tough-talking actor who starred in the TV series "Mike Hammer," played a grouchy dad in the holiday classic "A Christmas Story" and had other strong roles in such films as "The Man with the Golden Arm" and "The Natural," died Saturday. He was 83.

McGavin died of natural causes at a Los Angeles-area hospital with his family at his side, said his son Bogart McGavin.

McGavin made his film debut in 1945 when he switched from painter of movie sets to bit actor in "A Song to Remember." After a decade of learning his craft in New York, he returned to Hollywood and became one of the busiest actors in television and films.

He starred in five series, including cult favorite "Kolchak: The Night Stalker" and "Riverboat," and became a prolific actor in TV movies. Among his memorable portrayals was Gen. George Patton in the 1979 TV biography "Ike."

Despite his busy career in television, McGavin was awarded only one Emmy: in 1990 for an appearance as Candice Bergen's opinionated father in an episode of "Murphy Brown."

He may be best recognized for his role as the hot-tempered father of a boy yearning for the gift of a BB gun in the 1983 comedy "A Christmas Story." The film has become a holiday-season staple on TV.

McGavin lacked the prominence in films he enjoyed in television, but he registered strongly in featured roles such as the young artist in Venice in "Summertime," David Lean's 1955 film with Katharine Hepburn and Rosanno Brazzi; Frank Sinatra's crafty drug supplier in "The Man with the Golden Arm" (1955); and Jerry Lewis's parole officer in "The Delicate Delinquent."

McGavin's other films include "The Court-martial of Billy Mitchell," "Airport '77," and "Billy Madison."

Throughout his television career, McGavin gained a reputation as a curmudgeon willing to bad-mouth his series and combat studio bosses.

Of the private eye series "Mike Hammer," he told a reporter in 1968: "Hammer was a dummy. I made 72 of those shows, and I thought it was a comedy. In fact, I played it camp. He was the kind of guy who would've waved the flag for George Wallace."

McGavin's other series: "Crime Photographer," "The Outsider," "The Night Prowler" and a short-lived sitcom, "Small & Frye."

Born in Spokane, Wash., McGavin was sketchy in interviews about his childhood. He told TV Guide in 1973 that he was a constant runaway at 10 and 11, and as a teen lived in warehouses in Tacoma, Wash., and dodged the police and welfare workers. His parents disappeared, he said.

He spent a year at College of the Pacific in Stockton, Calif., taking part in dramatics, then landed in Los Angeles. He washed dishes and was hired to paint sets at Columbia studio. He was working on "A Song to Remember" when an agent told him of an opening for a small role.

"I climbed off a painter's ladder and washed up at a nearby gas station," McGavin said. "I returned through Columbia's front gate with the agent." The director, Charles Vidor, hired him. No one recognized him but the paint foreman who said, "You're fired."

McGavin studied at the Neighborhood Playhouse and the Actors Studio and began working in live TV drama and on Broadway. He appeared with Charlton Heston in "Macbeth" on TV and played Happy in "Death of a Salesman" in New York and on the road. His strong presence and assertiveness made him an ideal star for TV drama series.

He is survived by his four children York, Megan, Bridget and Bogart.

[Stogieman]

I remember him most from the movie A Christmas Story. Remember when he won a lamp shaped like a woman's leg? It was delivered in a container that had the word Fragile on it.

"Fra-jill-ee... must be Italian."

[aberdeenwriter]

Originally Posted by Stogieman

I remember him most from the movie A Christmas Story. Remember when he won a lamp shaped like a woman's leg? It was delivered in a container that had the word Fragile on it.

"Fra-jill-ee... must be Italian."

I always enjoyed his performances. He seemed like the kind of guy I'd enjoy drinking with.

[nredman]

this is sad news indeed - i love the christmas story and loved him in billy madison too

[wdlove]

My thoughts a prayers go out to the family and friends of Darren McGavin. May he res in peace, Thanks for the hours of entertainment that you provided.

[Y3a]

I guess the Night Stalker is with the dead now.... SHAME!

[baw]

I got a replica of the leg lamp for Christmas. RIP

[nredman]

Originally Posted by baw

I got a replica of the leg lamp for Christmas. RIP

"You used up all the glue on purpose!!!"

[Rev-O]

Played Kolchak on the original Night Stalker series. What a great series for its time. Christmas Story is an all time great as well. Too bad.

[euchomai]

Christmas story is great, I'd love to have a leg lamp, I'd be the pride of the neighborhood.

[flabasha]

Bummer. One of my favorite character actors. Just got the original Kolchak movies on DVD for Christmas, he was (as always) awesome in that. Also great in Man with the Golden Arm with Sinatra...

[aberdeenwriter]

Originally Posted by flabasha

Bummer. One of my favorite character actors. Just got the original Kolchak movies on DVD for Christmas, he was (as always) awesome in that. Also great in Man with the Golden Arm with Sinatra...

The moment I saw him in "The Natural" I was thrilled. "Is that REALLY Darren McGavin???" I thought. A truly charismatically sinister character.

[Todd Madson]

A great actor. He truly embodied the "erratic father" character in "Christmas Story".

Hard to believe the same guy was Kolchak the Night Stalker.

Classics.

[Atomic Rooster]

I loved "Kolchak: The Night Stalker". He was ko0L.

Missed him for a while now.

[ghporter]

He was in so many different productions, playing so many different characters. He was a Marine DI in "Tribes," a reporter in "Kolchak," a Hemmingway-esque author in a "Magnum: PI" episode, gee, I don't know what all else. But he was genuine in everything.

Boy will he be missed.

[awaspaas]

Darren "Shooter" McGavin. His contributions to professional golf were rivaled by none. He will surely be missed.



RIP

[aberdeenwriter]

Don Knotts & Darren McGavin

Darren Mc Gavin

Christopher McDonald as Shooter McGavin pays a visit to Tool Time's Tim Allen.