Biography
Darren McGavin was an American actor. Born William Lyle Richardson on 7 May 1922 in Spokane, Washington, he began his career as a set painter for Columbia Pictures. He studied at the Neighborhood Playhouse and the Actors Studio in New York, appeared on Broadway in productions including My Three Angels and The Rainmaker (both 1954), and made his early film appearances in Summertime and The Man with the Golden Arm (both 1955).
McGavin starred as the title character in the television series Mickey Spillane's Mike Hammer (1958–1959) and Riverboat (1959–1961). He is known for his portrayal of Carl Kolchak in Kolchak: The Night Stalker (1974–1975) and as the father in A Christmas Story (1983). His film credits include Airport '77 (1977), The Natural (1984, uncredited) and Billy Madison (1995). He received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for his recurring role on Murphy Brown.
McGavin died on 25 February 2006 in Los Angeles, California.
