Darren McGavin (May 7, 1922 – February 25, 2006) was an American actor best known for his portrayal of the grumpy father in the film A Christmas Story, and for the title role in the television horror series Kolchak: The Night Stalker. He appeared as the title character in the 1950s television series Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer. From 1959–1961, McGavin starred in the NBC western series Riverboat, first with Burt Reynolds and then with Noah Beery, Jr., and in later years, he had a recurring role in the sitcom Murphy Brown, as the title character's father, for which he received an Emmy Award.

Biography

McGavin was married twice. The first was to Melanie York on March 20, 1944. It ended in divorce in 1969, but produced four children: Bogart, York, Megan, and Graemm Bridget McGavin. The second was to Kathie Browne on December 31, 1969, ending with her death in 2003.

McGavin was a lifelong active Democrat.

McGavin died on February 25, 2006, at the age of 83 of cardiovascular disease in a Los Angeles hospital, one day after his co-star from No Deposit, No Return, Don Knotts. He is buried in Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

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