Darren McGavin Picture
STARmeter
SEE RANK
Up 278 this week

Darren McGavin (1922–2006)


A remarkably seasoned actor of stage, screen and television, Darren McGavin has notched in excess of 200 performances; however, he is most fondly remembered by cult TV fans as heroic newspaper reporter Carl Kolchak in the classic but short-lived horror TV series Kolchak: The Night Stalker. In a long and varied career... See full bio »

Watch on TV

Do you have a demo reel?

Add it to your IMDbPage


Find out more at IMDbPro »

Connect with IMDb


iPhoneiPadAndroidAndroid TabletWindows Phone
Nominated for Primetime Emmy. Another 2 wins See more awards »

Known For


Filmography

Hide HideActor (181 titles)
2008 Still Waters Burn
Paddy
 
2005 Night Stalker (TV series)
Reporter Standing at Desk
Pilot (2005) … Reporter Standing at Desk (uncredited)
 
1998-1999 The X-Files (TV series)
Agent Arthur Dales / Arthur Dales
Agua Mala (1999) … Arthur Dales
Travelers (1998) … Agent Arthur Dales
 
1999 Pros & Cons
Mr. Stanford
 
1997 Millennium (TV series)
Henry Black
 
1997 Touched by an Angel (TV series)
George Zarko
Missing in Action (1997) … George Zarko
 
1996/I Small Time
Sam
 
1996 Grace Under Fire (TV series)
Grace's Dad
Take Me to Your Breeder (1996) … Grace's Dad
 
1995 The Commish (TV series)
Terry Boyle
Father Image: Part 2 (1995) … Terry Boyle
Father Image: Part 1 (1995) … Terry Boyle
 
1995 Fallen Angels (TV series)
The Old Man
Fly Paper (1995) … The Old Man
 
1995 Gargoyles (TV series)
Dominic Dracon / G.F. Benton
The Silver Falcon (1995) … Dominic Dracon/G.F. Benton (voice)
 
1995 Burke's Law (TV series)
Conrad Hill
Who Killed the King of the Country Club? (1995) … Conrad Hill
 
1995 Derby (TV movie)
Lester Corbett
 
1995 Sisters (TV series)
Judge Harrison Bradford
Judgment Day (1995) … Judge Harrison Bradford
 
1995 Fudge (TV series)
Buster
Fudge-a-mania (1995) … Buster
 
1995 ABC Weekend Specials (TV series)
Buster
Fudge-A-Mania (1995) … Buster
 
1994 A Perfect Stranger (TV movie)
John Henry Phillips
 
1989-1992 Murphy Brown (TV series)
Bill Brown
Full Circle (1991) … Bill Brown
 
1992 Mastergate (TV movie)
Folsom Bunting
 
1992 Murder, She Wrote (TV series)
Martin Tremaine
Angel of Death (1992) … Martin Tremaine
 
1992 Happy Hell Night
Henry Collins
 
1992 Civil Wars (TV series)
Noah Caldecott
Shop 'Til You Drop (1992) … Noah Caldecott
 
1992 Miracles & Other Wonders (TV series)
Host
 
1992 Sibs (TV series)
If I Only Had a Dad (1992)
 
1991 Perfect Harmony (TV movie)
Mr. Hobbs
 
1991 The General Motors Playwrights Theater (TV series)
Albert Kroll
Clara (1991) … Albert Kroll
 
1991 Blood and Concrete
Hank Dick
 
1990 Captain America
General Fleming
 
1990 By Dawn's Early Light (TV movie)
Condor
 
1990 Child in the Night (TV movie)
Os Winfield
 
1990 Kojak: It's Always Something (TV movie)
 
1989 Monsters (TV series)
Hubert
Portrait of the Artist (1989) … Hubert
 
1989 Around the World in 80 Days (TV mini-series)
Benjamin Mudge
Episode #1.1 (1989) … Benjamin Mudge
 
1989 In the Name of Blood
Fergus
 
1988 The Diamond Trap (TV movie)
Chief Walter Vadney
 
1988 Inherit the Wind (TV movie)
E.K. Hornbeck
 
1988 Highway to Heaven (TV series)
Hale Stoddard
The Correspondent (1988) … Hale Stoddard
 
1987 CBS Summer Playhouse (TV series)
Walter
Day to Day (1987) … Walter
 
1987 From the Hip
Craig Duncan
 
1986 Worlds Beyond (TV series)
 
1986 Raw Deal
Harry Shannon
 
1986 Flag
 
1985 Tales from the Darkside (TV series)
Van Conway
Distant Signals (1985) … Van Conway
 
1985 The Hitchhiker (TV series)
Old Man
Nightshift (1985) … Old Man
 
1985 The O'Briens (TV movie)
The Father
 
1985 Turk 182!
Det. Kowalski
 
1985 My Wicked, Wicked Ways: The Legend of Errol Flynn (TV movie)
Dr. Gerrit Koets
 
1984 The Baron and the Kid (TV movie)
Jack Beamer
 
1984 The Return of Marcus Welby, M.D. (TV movie)
Dr. David Jennings
 
1984 The Natural
Gus Sands (uncredited)
 
1983 Tales of the Unexpected (TV series)
Sheriff Milt Singleton
Heir Presumptuous (1983) … Sheriff Milt Singleton
 
1982 Freedom to Speak (TV mini-series)
 
1981 Magnum, P.I. (TV series)
Buck Gibson
Mad Buck Gibson (1981) … Buck Gibson
 
1981 Nero Wolfe (TV series)
John Alan Bredeman
Gambit (1981) … John Alan Bredeman
 
1980 Hangar 18
Harry Forbes
 
1980 Waikiki (TV movie)
Captain
 
1980 The Martian Chronicles (TV mini-series)
Sam Parkhill
The Martians (1980) … Sam Parkhill
The Settlers (1980) … Sam Parkhill
The Expeditions (1980) … Sam Parkhill
 
1980 Ike: The War Years (TV movie)
 
1979 Love for Rent (TV movie)
Coach John Martin
 
1979 Not Until Today (TV short)
Chief Jason Swan
 
1979 Ike: The War Years (TV mini-series)
Gen. George S. Patton
 
1968-1979 Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color (TV series)
John Jay Forrest / Barney B. Duncan / Timothy Donovan
Donovan's Kid: Part 2 (1979) … Timothy Donovan
Donovan's Kid: Part 1 (1979) … Timothy Donovan
The High Flying Spy: Part 3 (1972) … John Jay Forrest
The High Flying Spy: Part 2 (1972) … John Jay Forrest
The High Flying Spy: Part 1 (1972) … John Jay Forrest
 
1979 Donovan's Kid (TV movie)
Timothy Donovan
 
1979 A Bond of Iron (TV movie)
William Weaver
 
1978 Fantasy Island (TV series)
Victor Duncan
Let the Goodtimes Roll/Nightmare/The Tiger (1978) … Victor Duncan
 
1978 The Users (TV movie)
Henry Waller
 
1978 Hot Lead and Cold Feet
Mayor Ragsdale
 
1978 Zero to Sixty
Michael Nolan
 
1976 Law and Order (TV movie)
Deputy Chief Brian O'Malley
 
1976 Brinks: The Great Robbery (TV movie)
James McNally
 
1976 No Deposit, No Return
Duke
 
1974-1975 Kolchak: The Night Stalker (TV series)
Carl Kolchak
The Sentry (1975) … Carl Kolchak
Demon in Lace (1975) … Carl Kolchak
 
1975 Hay que matar a B.
Pal Kovak
 
1973-1974 The Evil Touch (TV series)
Alvin / Dr. Thomas Sullivan / George Manners
Gornak's Prism (1974) … Alvin
George (1973) … George Manners
A Game of Hearts (1973) … Dr. Thomas Sullivan
 
1974 Police Story (TV series)
Matt Hallett
The Ripper (1974) … Matt Hallett
 
1974 Owen Marshall: Counselor at Law (TV series)
McClain
A Foreigner Among Us (1974) … McClain
 
1974 Shaft (TV series)
Captain Brewster
Cop Killer (1974) … Captain Brewster
 
1973 The Six Million Dollar Man (TV movie)
Oliver Spencer
 
1973 The Night Strangler (TV movie)
Carl Kolchak
 
1972 43: The Richard Petty Story
Lee Petty
 
1972 Say Goodbye, Maggie Cole (TV movie)
Dr. Lou Grazzo
 
1972 Here Comes the Judge (TV movie)
Judge
 
1972 The Rookies (TV series)
Sergeant Eddie Ryker
Pilot (1972) … Sergeant Eddie Ryker
 
1972 Something Evil (TV movie)
Paul Worden
 
1972 The Night Stalker (TV movie)
Carl Kolchak
 
1971 The Death of Me Yet (TV movie)
Joe Chalk
 
1971 The Bold Ones: The Lawyers (TV series)
Kevin Ireland
The Invasion of Kevin Ireland (1971) … Kevin Ireland
 
1971 Cade's County (TV series)
Courtney Vernon
Homecoming (1971) … Courtney Vernon
 
1971 Banyon (TV series)
Lieutenant Pete Cordova
Pilot (1971) … Lieutenant Pete Cordova
 
1970 Matt Lincoln (TV series)
Billy (1970)
 
1970 Bracken's World (TV series)
Max Lassiter
Infinity (1970) … Max Lassiter
 
1970 Tribes (TV movie)
Drake
 
1970 Berlin Affair (TV movie)
Paul Killian
 
1968-1970 The Name of the Game (TV series)
Eddie Gannon / Jesse Gil McCray / Sam Hardy
Battle at Gannon's Bridge (1970) … Eddie Gannon
Good-bye Harry (1969) … Sam Hardy
Shine On, Shine On, Jesse Gil (1968) … Jesse Gil McCray
 
1970 Mannix (TV series)
Mark
A Ticket to the Eclipse (1970) … Mark
 
1970 Love, American Style (TV series)
Corbett (segment "Love and the Fly")
Love and Double Trouble/Love and the Fly/Love and the Millionaire (1970) … Corbett (segment "Love and the Fly")
 
1970 The Challengers (TV movie)
Jim McCabe
 
1970 The Challenge (TV movie)
Jacob Gallery
 
1968-1969 The Outsider (TV series)
David Ross
Service for One (1969) … David Ross
Periwinkle Blue (1969) … David Ross
A Lot of Muscle (1969) … David Ross
 
1969 Anatomy of a Crime (TV movie)
David Ross
 
1968 Mission Mars
Col. Mike Blaiswick
 
1967 The Outsider (TV movie)
David Ross
 
1967 Custer (TV series)
Jeb Powell
Desperate Mission (1967) … Jeb Powell
 
1967 Mission: Impossible (TV series)
J. Richard Taggart
The Seal (1967) … J. Richard Taggart
 
1967 The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (TV series)
Viktor Karmak
The Deadly Quest Affair (1967) … Viktor Karmak
 
1964-1967 The Virginian (TV series)
Mark Troxel / Sam Evans
The Deadly Past (1967) … Sam Evans
The Intruders (1964) … Mark Troxel
 
1967 Cimarron Strip (TV series)
Jud Starr
The Legend of Jud Starr (1967) … Jud Starr
 
1965-1966 Gunsmoke (TV series)
Joe Bascome / Lon Gorman / Will Helmick
Gunfighter, R.I.P (1966) … Joe Bascome
The Hostage (1965) … Lon Gorman
Twenty Miles from Dodge (1965) … Will Helmick
 
1966 Felony Squad (TV series)
Leslie Gorman
The Streets Are Paved with Quicksand (1966) … Leslie Gorman
 
1966 Court Martial (TV series)
Sgt. Joe Callaghan
All Roads Lead to Callaghan (1966) … Sgt. Joe Callaghan
 
1966 Confidential for Women (TV series)
Andy
Episode dated 25 April 1966 (1966) … Andy
 
1965 Dr. Kildare (TV series)
Felix Holman
With This Ring (1965) … Felix Holman
 
1965 African Gold
Mike Gregory
 
1965 The Great Sioux Massacre
Captain Benton
 
1965 The Rogues (TV series)
Amos Champion
The Diamond-Studded Pie (1965) … Amos Champion
 
1964 Ben Casey (TV series)
 
1964 Bob Hope Presents the Chrysler Theatre (TV series)
Franklin Carson / Joe Masson
Parties to the Crime (1964) … Joe Masson
The Game with Glass Pieces (1964) … Franklin Carson
 
1963-1964 The Defenders (TV series)
Howard Potter / Marty Wisnovsky
A Taste of Ashes (1964) … Marty Wisnovsky
Everybody Else Is Dead (1963) … Howard Potter
 
1964 The Doctors and the Nurses (TV series)
Fitz Condon
Hildie (1964) … Fitz Condon
 
1964 The Alfred Hitchcock Hour (TV series)
Sheridan Westcott
A Matter of Murder (1964) … Sheridan Westcott
 
1962 The United States Steel Hour (TV series)
 
1962 Purex Summer Specials (TV series)
James Carlisle
The Problem Child (1962) … James Carlisle
 
1961 Rawhide (TV series)
Jed Hadley
The Sendoff (1961) … Jed Hadley
 
1961 Route 66 (TV series)
Johnny Copa
The Opponent (1961) … Johnny Copa
 
1961 Stagecoach West (TV series)
Pierce Martin
A Place of Still Waters (1961) … Pierce Martin
 
1961 Death Valley Days (TV series)
Zacharias Gurney
The Stolen City (1961) … Zacharias Gurney
 
1961 The Islanders (TV series)
Phil
Island Witness (1961) … Phil
 
1959-1961 Riverboat (TV series)
Captain Grey Holden
Zigzag (1960) … Captain Grey Holden
 
1961 Witchcraft (TV movie)
Fred
 
1958-1959 Mike Hammer (TV series)
Mike Hammer
Goodbye, Al (1959) … Mike Hammer
Siamese Twinge (1959) … Mike Hammer
Slab Happy (1959) … Mike Hammer
Doll Trouble (1959) … Mike Hammer
 
1958 Decision (TV series)
Dan Garrett
Man Against Crime (1958) … Dan Garrett
 
1958 The Case Against Brooklyn
Pete Harris
 
1951-1958 Studio One in Hollywood (TV series)
Johnny Quigg / Macduff / Tom Kendall / …
The Fair-Haired Boy (1958) … Tom Kendall
First Prize for Murder (1957) … Johnny Quigg
Fandango at War Bonnet (1954) … Will Sorrell
Macbeth (1951) … Macduff
 
1957 Beau James
Charley Hand
 
1956-1957 The Alcoa Hour (TV series)
Arthur Bryan / Harrigan
The Archangel Harrigan (1956) … Harrigan
 
1956 Robert Montgomery Presents (TV series)
Joe Gillis
Sunset Boulevard (1956) … Joe Gillis
 
1956 Climax! (TV series)
Walter
Night of the Heat Wave (1956) … Walter
 
1952-1956 Armstrong Circle Theatre (TV series)
Carl Broggi / Lieutenant Melvin Shadduck
Terror at My Heels (1956) … Lieutenant Melvin Shadduck
The Town That Refused to Die (1955) … Carl Broggi
Recapture (1952)
 
1955 Alfred Hitchcock Presents (TV series)
Lyle Endicott / Red Hillman
The Cheney Vase (1955) … Lyle Endicott
Triggers in Leash (1955) … Red Hillman
 
1955 The Court-Martial of Billy Mitchell
Capt. Russ Peters
 
1955 Producers' Showcase (TV series)
Soldier
Dateline II (1955) … Soldier
 
1955 It's Always Jan (TV series)
Episode #1.3 (1955)
 
1955 Summertime
Eddie Yaeger
 
1955 A Word to the Wives... (short)
George Peters
 
1954 Omnibus (TV series)
Just Be Normal (1954)
 
1954 Ponds Theater (TV series)
Blind Alley (1954)
Unequal Contest (1954)
 
1954 Mama (TV series)
 
1954 Campbell Summer Soundstage (TV series)
 
1952-1954 Suspense (TV series)
Ted Larson
For the Love of Randi (1952) … Ted Larson
 
1954 Janet Dean, Registered Nurse (TV series)
Tony Burito
The Gomez Case (1954) … Tony Burito
The Van Horn Case (1954)
 
1953 The Revlon Mirror Theater (TV series)
The Enormous Radio (1953)
 
1952-1953 Danger (TV series)
Hand Me Down (1953)
 
1953 Short Short Dramas (TV series)
The Double Cross (1953)
 
1952 Goodyear Playhouse (TV series)
Better Than Walking (1952)
The Witness (1952)
 
1952 Tales of Tomorrow (TV series)
Bruce Calvin
The Duplicates (1952) … Bruce Calvin
 
1951-1952 Crime Photographer (TV series)
Casey
Letter of the Law (1952) … Casey
Reward (1952) … Casey
Tall Steel Nightmare (1952) … Casey
Hero Comes Home (1952) … Casey
A Score to Settle (1952) … Casey
 
1951 The Big Story (TV series)
Casey
The Victim (1951) … Casey
Till Death Do Us Part (1951) … Casey
Bill of Lading (1951) … Casey
 
1951 Distant Drums
Navy Lt. (uncredited)
 
1951 Queen for a Day
Dan, Gossamer World segment
 
1949 Mr. I. Magination (TV series)
American soldier
 
1949 I Remember You (short)
Blind Mechanic
 
1946 Fear
Blonde Student (uncredited)
 
1945 She Wouldn't Say Yes
The Kid - Soldier in Hospital (uncredited)
 
1945 Kiss and Tell
Tech Sergeant (uncredited)
 
1945 Counter-Attack
Paratrooper (uncredited)
 
1945 A Song to Remember
Student (uncredited)
 
Show ShowProducer (2 titles)
1974 Kolchak: The Night Stalker (TV series) (executive producer - 4 episodes)
Horror in the Heights (1974) (executive producer - uncredited)
The Energy Eater (1974) (executive producer - uncredited)
Bad Medicine (1974) (executive producer - uncredited)
The Werewolf (1974) (executive producer - uncredited)
 
1973 Happy Mother's Day, Love George (producer)
 
Show ShowDirector (4 titles)
1976 American Reunion (documentary)
 
1973 The Evil Touch (TV series)
A Game of Hearts (1973)
 
1960 Riverboat (TV series)
The Blowup (1960)
 
Show ShowWriter (2 titles)
1978 Zero to Sixty (screenplay / as W. Lyle Richardson)
 
1976 American Reunion (documentary)
 
Show ShowSoundtrack (1 title)
1972 The Night Stalker (TV movie) (performer: "Manhattan")
 
Show ShowThanks (1 title)
2003 The Ghouls (special thanks)
 
Show ShowSelf (32 titles)
1998 The Great Christmas Movies (TV documentary)
Himself
 
1994 Mysteries of the Ancient World (TV documentary)
Host
 
1993 The Incredible Discovery of Noah's Ark (TV documentary)
Himself - Host & Narrator
 
1992 The 13th Annual CableACE Awards (TV special)
Himself
 
1991 The 43th Annual Writers Guild Awards (TV movie)
Himself
 
1980 Games People Play (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 31 October 1980 (1980) … Himself
 
1980 Family Feud (TV series)
Panelist
 
1971-1977 The Mike Douglas Show (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 22 March 1977 (1977) … Himself
Episode dated 13 January 1977 (1977) … Himself
Episode dated 6 January 1977 (1977) … Himself
Episode dated 7 October 1975 (1975) … Himself
Episode dated 23 March 1971 (1971) … Himself
 
1975-1977 Celebrity Sweepstakes (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 25 February 1977 (1977) … Himself
Episode dated 21 January 1977 (1977) … Himself
Episode dated 31 December 1976 (1976) … Himself
Episode dated 19 November 1976 (1976) … Himself
Episode dated 31 May 1976 (1976) … Himself
 
1975-1977 Tattletales (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 4 January 1977 (1977) … Himself
Episode dated 11 September 1975 (1975) … Himself
 
1976 American Reunion (documentary)
Himself
 
1975 Dinah! (TV series)
Himself
Episode #1.187 (1975) … Himself
 
1975 Don Adams' Screen Test (TV series)
Humphrey Bogart
 
1973 It's Your Bet (TV series)
Panelist
Kathie Browne vs. Darren McGavin (1973) … Panelist
 
1973 Cavalcade of Champions (TV movie)
Himself - Presenter
 
1961-1973 Password All-Stars (TV series)
Himself - Panelist / Himself
June Lockhart vs. Darren McGavin (1973) … Himself - Panelist
Dina Merrill vs. Darren McGavin (1972) … Himself - Panelist
Amanda Blake vs. Darren McGavin (1971) … Himself - Panelist
Elizabeth Ashley vs. Darren McGaven (1965) … Himself
Darren McGavin vs. Dorothy Kilgallen (1961) … Himself
 
1971 V.I.P.-Schaukel (TV series documentary)
Himself
Episode #1.3 (1971) … Himself
 
1971 The Merv Griffin Show (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 16 March 1971 (1971) … Himself
 
1971 The Movie Game (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 8 February 1971 (1971) … Himself
 
1971 The Virginia Graham Show (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 15 January 1971 (1971) … Himself
 
1971 Mooch Goes to Hollywood (TV movie)
Himself (uncredited)
 
1970 It Takes Two (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 1 June 1970 (1970) … Himself
 
1968 The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 18 November 1968 (1968) … Himself
 
1967 Celebrity Doubletalk (TV movie)
Himself
 
1966 Eye Guess (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 14 October 1966 (1966) … Himself
 
1961-1966 What's My Line? (TV series)
Himself - Guest Panelist / Himself - Mystery Guest
Episode dated 25 September 1966 (1966) … Himself - Mystery Guest
Episode dated 26 November 1961 (1961) … Himself - Guest Panelist
 
1961 To Tell the Truth (TV series)
Guest Panelist
Episode dated 25 December 1961 (1961) … Guest Panelist
 
1960 The 14th Annual Tony Awards (TV movie)
Himself - Presenter
 
1960 Play Your Hunch (TV series)
Himself
Episode dated 13 April 1960 (1960) … Himself
 
1959 Disneyland '59 (TV documentary)
Himself (as Darven McGavin)
 
Show ShowArchive Footage (8 titles)
2007 The 79th Annual Academy Awards (TV special)
Himself - Memorial Tribute
 
2006 The 58th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (TV special)
Himself - Memorial Tribute
 
2003 Images of Indians: How Hollywood Stereotyped the Native American (TV documentary)
Himself/Capt. Benteen (from The Great Sioux Massacre (1965)) (uncredited)
 
1997 Christmas Unwrapped: The History of Christmas (TV documentary)
Mr. Parker (uncredited)
 
1993 The Poetry Hall of Fame (TV movie)
Himself
 
1974 Crackle of Death (TV movie)
Carl Kolchak
 
1967 The Legend of Jud Starr (TV movie)
Jud Starr
 

Related Videos

The Man with the Golden Arm -- A dried-out heroin addict returns to his wife and card dealing in Chicago. Night Stalker: Season 1: Episode 1 -- A murder uncannily similar to his wife's leads Carl Kolchak to Los Angeles. Dead Heat -- Trailer for Dead Heat
Edit

Personal Details

Other Works:

(1987-93) Audio books: Read 19 of John D. MacDonald's "Travis McGee" novels for Random House Audio Books Presentations. See more »

Publicity Listings:

1 Interview  | 7 Articles  | See more »

Official Sites:

darrenmcgavin.net | See more »

Alternate Names:

Darven McGavin | W. Lyle Richardson

Height:

5' 10" (1.78 m)
Edit

Did You Know?

Trivia:

Received a B.F.A. in Theatre / Acting from the prestigious Actors Studio, New School University in New York City. See more »

Star Sign:

Taurus