Darren McGavin dies at 83

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) – Emmy-winning actor Darren McGavin,
who played grouchy monster chaser Carl Kolchak in the 1970s
television series “Kolchak: The Night Stalker,” died on
Saturday at a Los Angeles hospital, according to a statement on
his Web site. He was 83.

McGavin was born in Spokane, Washington, in 1922. His
career spanned seven decades, and included roles in both
television and film. He starred in five television series,
including “Mike Hammer,” and won an Emmy in 1990 for a
supporting role as Candice Bergen’s father in an episode of the
popular situation comedy “Murphy Brown.”

But his most memorable role was as the grouchy father in
the film “A Christmas Story,” originally released in 1983, but
a television staple on holidays ever since.

McGavin is survived by four children.