Darren McGavin, "The Old Man," dead at 83

Omnibus Prime · Feb 26, 2006

While not as high-profile as Don Knotts I guess, Darren McGavin, probably best known to many, certainly here, as the father from A Christmas Story also died.

CNN.com

LOS ANGELES, California (AP) -- Darren McGavin was painting a movie set in 1945 when he learned of an opening for a small role in the show, climbed off his ladder, and returned through Columbia's front gates to land the part.

The husky, tough-talking performer went on to become one of the busiest actors in television and film, starring in five TV series, including "Mike Hammer," and endearing holiday audiences with his role as the grouchy dad in the 1983 comedy classic "A Christmas Story."

McGavin, 83, died Saturday of natural causes at a Los Angeles-area hospital with his family at his side, said his son Bogart McGavin.

McGavin also had leading roles in TV's "Riverboat" and cult favorite "Kolchak: The Night Stalker." Among his memorable portrayals was U.S. Army 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 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); Jerry Lewis's parole officer in "The Delicate Delinquent" (1957); and the gambler Gus Sands in 1984's "The Natural" that starred Robert Redford.

He also starred alongside Don Knotts, who died Friday night, in the 1976 family comedy "No Deposit, No Return."

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

McGavin starred in the private eye series "Mike Hammer" in the 1950s. In 1968 he told a reporter: "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 [Alabama Gov.] George Wallace."

Troubled childhood
Born in Spokane, Washington, 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, Washington, and dodged the police and welfare workers. His parents disappeared, he said.

He spent a year at College of the Pacific in Stockton, California, 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.

He is survived by his four children -- York, Megan, Bridget and Bogart -- from a previous marriage to Melanie York McGavin, Bogart McGavin said. McGavin was separated from his second wife, Kathy Brown, he said.

Services were set for March 5 at Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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Razerwire · Feb 26, 2006

Saw this on the news yesterday...

Life is too fraa-gee-lay...

Seth Buzzard · Feb 26, 2006

Omnibus Prime said:

While not as high-profile as Don Knotts I guess, Darren McGavin, probably best known to many, certainly here, as the father from A Christmas Story also died.
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We watch that movie every year.

Any one remember the made for TV 4th of July movie with all the same characters? The Ralphie character was older and played by a different actor but McGavin still played the dad. I wish that would come out on DVD.

MegaMoonMan · Feb 26, 2006

Buzzbeak said:

Any one remember the made for TV 4th of July movie with all the same characters? The Ralphie character was older and played by a different actor but McGavin still played the dad. I wish that would come out on DVD.
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I remember watching that and thinking WTF? They made a sequel?

rattrap007 · Feb 26, 2006

Damn Bumpuses!

Omnibus Prime · Feb 26, 2006

My dad and I always especially liked the part where the narrator/Ralphie talked about how the old man "wove a tapestry of obscenities that as far as we know is still hanging in space over Lake Michigan"...as we both knew it applied to him, too.

"Now, I had heard that word at least ten times a day from my old man. He worked in profanity the way other artists might work in oils or clay. It was his true medium; a master."

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Darren McGavin, "The Old Man," dead at 83

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Darren McGavin, "The Old Man," dead at 83

Omnibus Prime I'm too old for this shit TFW2005 Supporter

Razerwire 99 Problems... Veteran

Seth Buzzard R.I.P. Buzzbeak Content Contributor

MegaMoonMan OFFICIAL MMM REP

rattrap007 One meme mutha f’er TFW2005 Supporter

Omnibus Prime I'm too old for this shit TFW2005 Supporter

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