Murphy Brown star Charles Kimbrough, who played host Jim Dial on the hit series for 10 years, has died at the age of 86
- Charles’ son John Kimbrough confirmed his death on January 11
- The actor starred alongside Candice Bergen on the TV show Murphy Brown
- Kimbrough received an Emmy nomination for his portrayal of Jim Dial on the series
Emmy-nominated actor Charles Kimbrough has passed away at the age of 86 after a successful acting career that included the role of host Jim Dial in Murphy Brown.
The actor died in Culver City on Jan. 11, his son John Kimbrough told the New York Times.
Kimbrough was a regular on the hit series, appearing in all 247 episodes and even returning for several episodes during its 2018 revival, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
The show followed the eponymous Murphy Brown, an investigative journalist played by Candice Bergen. It originally ran from 1988 to 1998 before being rebooted two decades later.
A critically acclaimed actor, Kimbrough received an Emmy nomination for his role as Dial and a Tony nomination for his role in Steven Sondheim’s Company.
Emmy-nominated actor Charles Kimbrough has passed away at the age of 86 after a successful acting career that included the role of host Jim Dial in Murphy Brown
He also appeared at Park With George Sunday, a Sondheim musical.
The Minnesota native was also the voice of a gargoyle named Victor in 1996’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, its 2002 sequel, and for several video game iterations, Deadline reported.
In 1995, Kimbrough also starred opposite Sarah Jessica Parker in the off-Broadway comedy Sylvia.
His other stage shows include roles in Candide, Hay Fever, The Merchant of Venice and Harvey.
The star has been geared towards playing rigid roles throughout his career.
He spoke to The Wall Street Journal in 2012: “I kind of made an impression at an audition where they mentally put me in a three-piece suit or handed me a briefcase. If there was a stiff role, the director would prick up my ears when I walked in. That wasn’t the answer I wanted. I was afraid.’
In addition to his son, the actor is survived by a sister, Linda Kimbrough, and a stepdaughter, Holly Howland. His wife, Beth Howland, predeceased him in 2016.
Plans for a memorial were not shared.
Kimbrough was a regular on the hit series, appearing in all 247 episodes and even returning for several episodes during the 2018 revival
Biggest Role: The show followed the eponymous Murphy Brown, an investigative journalist played by Candice Bergen. It originally ran from 1988 to 1998 before being rebooted two decades later
LR: Candice Bergen as Murphy Brown, Charles Kimbrough as Jim Dial, Tyne Daly as Phyllis and Grant Shaud as Miles Silverberg in the Murphy Brown spinoff