Movies

Number9Dream

(1,902 posts) Wed May 6, 2026, 02:04 PM May 6

Born May 7, 1922 - Darren McGavin - American actor

Darren McGavin starred in many movies and TV programs. Beloved for his performance as 'the old man' in "A Christmas Story'.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darren_McGavin

2 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

Born May 7, 1922 - Darren McGavin - American actor (Original Post) Number9Dream May 6 OP

Mr. McGavin's performance as the drill instructor in "Tribes" (1970) is nuanced. John1956PA May 6 #1

I liked him in the Night Stalker, handsome sort of like Gene Hackman Beringia May 7 #2

John1956PA

(5,119 posts)

1. Mr. McGavin's performance as the drill instructor in "Tribes" (1970) is nuanced.

Reply to Number9Dream (Original post)

Wed May 6, 2026, 04:41 PM

May 6

When he started acting, he picked the name "McGavin" out of a telephone directory, I think.

When they worked on the TV show "Riverboat" in the late 1950s, he and co-star Burt Reynolds did not get along. At that time, Mr. Gavin also starred in the syndicated TV show "Mike Hammer."

Mr. McGavin was very physically fit. The TV movie "The Challenge" from the early 1970s demonstrates that he had a muscular body.

I like his line spoken to the Las Vegas police captain in "The Night Stalker" (1972) after a hail of police gunfire failed to phase the vampire: "Either you're dealing with something which is not of this world, or your entire police force is blind."

Beringia

(5,626 posts)

2. I liked him in the Night Stalker, handsome sort of like Gene Hackman

Reply to Number9Dream (Original post)

Thu May 7, 2026, 10:58 AM

May 7

https://darrenmcgavin.net/night-stalker/

Reply to this discussion

Kick in to the DU tip jar?

This week we're running a special pop-up mini fund drive. From Monday through Friday we're going ad-free for all registered members, and we're asking you to kick in to the DU tip jar to support the site and keep us financially healthy.

As a bonus, making a contribution will allow you to leave kudos for another DU member, and at the end of the week we'll recognize the DUers who you think make this community great.