McGavin, Darren 1922–2006

PERSONAL

Born May 7, 1922, in Spokane, WA; died February 25, 2006, in Los Angeles, CA. Actor, director, producer, and writer. McGavin appeared in a number of television series and plays, but he was best known for his role as Ralphie's father in A Christmas Story, the 1983 comedy that became a holiday favorite. McGavin worked as a painter of movie sets before pursuing acting. He made his stage debut in 1941 in Lady Windermere's Fan and continued to work regularly in theatre through the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s. McGavin toured in Death of a Salesman in the late 1940s and in The Music Man in 1962, among others. Additionally, McGavin directed and produced plays. McGavin made his film debut in 1945 in A Song to Remember and appeared in dozens of films, including Summertime, the James Bond film The Man with the Golden Arm, and Airport '77. He also produced and directed Happy Mother's Day—Love, George and directed and wrote American Reunion. McGavin made his mark in television as well and starred in numerous series, performing the title role in the detective show Mike Hammer and the title role of Chicago reporter Carl Kolchak in Kolchak: The Night Stalker. Among McGavin's television movie appearances were The Berlin Affair, Ike: The War Years, and The Return of Marcus Welby, M.D. McGavin won an Emmy Award in 1990 for his portrayal of the title character's father in an episode of the series Murphy Brown.

PERIODICALS

Broadcasting & Cable, March 6, 2006.