Darren McGavin

Biography

Darren McGavin (May 7, 1922 – February 25, 2006) was an American actor recognized for his diverse roles in film and television. He is best known for portraying the grumpy father in the classic holiday film A Christmas Story and for his lead role in the television horror series Kolchak: The Night Stalker. McGavin also starred as the title character in the 1950s series Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer and played a significant role in the NBC western series Riverboat alongside Burt Reynolds and Noah Beery, Jr. In later years, he gained acclaim for his recurring role as the father of the title character in the sitcom Murphy Brown, for which he received an Emmy Award. Born William Lyle Richardson in Spokane, Washington, McGavin faced a challenging childhood, spending time in orphanages before finding stability at Dyslin Boys Ranch. He was unable to serve in World War II due to health issues but contributed to military training films.