Darren McGavin, 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" has died at the age of 83 due to natural causes in a Los Angeles hospital.
McGavin had leading roles in TV's "Riverboat", cult favorite "Kolchak: The Night Stalker", the private eye series "Mike Hammer" in the 1950s, and the 1979 TV biography "Ike."
He also starred alongside Don Knotts, who died recently as well, 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. He was awarded one Emmy in 1990 for an appearance as Candice Bergen’s opinionated father in an episode of "Murphy Brown."
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