Farewell, Night Stalker

I just saw on CNN.com that Darren McGavin died.

McGavin was one of my favourite actors growing up. He starred in Kokchak: The Night Stalker in the 70s. In The Night Stalker he played Carl Kolchak, a pulp-style reporter for the Independent News Service in Chicago. His specialty was investigating supernatural events that were discounted by his editor. There were two pilot movies, one involving vampires. Kolchak fought witches, werewolves, ghosts, and in one memorable episode a Hindu monster that took on the form of someone you most trusted.

The Night Stalker was the forerunner of the X-Files, and inspired games like Delta Green. McGavin even guest starred on a couple of X-Files episodes. If there had been no Carl Kolchak there probably wouldn't have been a Fox Mulder.

McGavin was in a number of movies, including The Natural with Robert Redford, where he played a villain.

Coincidentally, he passed away a day after Don Knotts, whom he starred with in the movie No Deposit, No Return. Because of The Andy Griffith Show, Don Knotts' passing will get more headlines. This is unfortunate and unfair.

I was saddened when I learned of McGavin's death. He was 83 years old and died of natural causes.