February 26, 2006

Darren McGavin, 1922 - 2006.

Darren McGavin as Mike Hammer
Darren McGavin, 83, a film and television actor who appeared on an almost limitless number of television series and shows and set a standard for cynical and hard-boiled gruffness as a reporter in The Night Stalker and a detective in Mike Hammer, died yesterday in California.

Martin Weil, the Washington Post.

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 in 1984's The Natural. He also starred alongside Don Knotts, who died Friday night, in the 1976 family comedy No Deposit, No Return.

The AP.

The official site.



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Posted by dwhudson at February 26, 2006 5:28 AM

Comments

Darren McGavin *and* Don Knotts in one day? Both were great, underrated talents and they will be missed.

Odd, no mention above of "A Christmas Story". I'd think most people of my generation (mid-30s) would think of McGavin's role as the father before anything, even good ol' Night Stalker.

Also, if you can find it, I recommend his feature directorial debut, "Run, Stranger, Run" (a.k.a. Happy Mother's Day, Love George). It's an unsual small-town drama with slasher elements (and a great, creepy scene that reveals the killer).

Posted by: Kent M. Beeson at February 26, 2006 11:29 AM

You're right about A Christmas Story, Kent. I should have included mention of it. Thanks, too, for the recommendation - I didn't know about Run, Stranger, Run.

Posted by: David Hudson at February 26, 2006 12:41 PM

I've been going through a Mike Hammer phase with the books and even Mickey Spillane playing Hammer, but I never knew McGavin played him.

Once again my world is widened by GCD! (GreenCine Daily)

Good call, Kent, "Run, Stranger, Run" creeped me out seeing probably the best role Ron Howard ever had!

Posted by: Jerry Lentz at February 27, 2006 1:18 PM