Charles Kimbrough obit

Charles Kimbrough, Best Known for Murphy Brown, Dead at 86

 

He was not on the list.

Charles Kimbrough, best known for his work on CBS's hit sitcom Murphy Brown, has died. He was 86.

Per his family, Kimbrough died of natural causes Jan. 11 at Southern California Hospital in Culver City, Calif.

Kimbrough's agent, Donna Massetti of SMS Talent, said in a statement: "[We] mourn the loss of Charles Kimbrough, a client and friend for over 30 years. Whether on stage or in front of the camera he was a joy to behold."

Kimbrough's portrayal of straight-faced anchorman Jim Dial on Murphy Brown earned him an Emmy nomination for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy series in 1990, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

He appeared on all 247 original episodes of the series when it aired from 1988 to 1998, and reprised his character for three episodes in the 2018 reboot, per The New York Times.

In a 2007 clip for The Interviews: An Oral History of Television, Murphy Brown creator Diane English said that Kimbrough "wrote a whole biography for his character before he started to play him."

"Charlie is the most lovable, lanky, rubbery, sweet, adorable man," English added. "When he came in to read for us as Jim Dial, he brought it all there: ramrod posture, anchor voice, slicked-back hair. He brought a credibility to the character."

In 2012, Kimbrough told The Wall Street Journal, "Unfortunately, I'm really good at playing jackasses of one kind or another. I've always been slightly self-conscious as an actor, and I guess that sometimes reads as pomposity."

"Starting when I was 30, I somehow gave off an impression at an audition that had them mentally put me in a three-piece suit or put an attaché case in my hand," he continued. "If there was a stiff-guy part,

Kimbrough also voiced the puritanical gargoyle Victor in both of Disney's animated The Hunchback of Notre Dame films and its several video game iterations.

Before his film and TV roles, Kimbrough was a seasoned Broadway veteran, majoring in music and theater at Indian University. He earned a Master's degree from the Yale School of Drama before he took the stage, NYT reported.

He received a Tony Award nomination for best featured actor in a musical in 1971 for his portrayal of Harry in the original production of Stephen Sondheim's Company, according to THR. He also played two characters in Sondheim's Pulitzer Prize-winning Sunday with George, which opened in 1984.

In 1995, Kimbrough starred opposite Sarah Jessica Parker in the original off-Broadway production of Sylvia. His most recent stage appearance was with Jim Parson in a 2012 revival of Harvey, per THR.

Kimbrough is survived by his son John, granddaughter Cody, sister Linda, nephew Colin and stepdaughter Holly.

 

Filmography

Year            Television        Role            Notes

1975    Kojak            Rudy            Episode: "A Question of Answers"

Great Performances            Dr. Spiga            Episode: "The Rules of the Game"

1976    Kojak            A.D.A. Greg Burton            2 episodes

1977    Great Performances            Benton Arrelsford            Episode: "Secret Service"

1981    For Ladies Only            Bob Merlis            Television movie

1983    Great Performances            Editor            Episode: "The Innocents Abroad"

1985    Tales of the Unexpected            Eric            Episode: "Scrimshaw"

1986            Spenser: For Hire            Louis Groton            Episode: "An Eye for an Eye"

Another World            Dr. Abbott            Unknown episodes

1988–1998, 2018    Murphy Brown  Jim Dial            250 episodes

Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series

Nominated—Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series

1988            Spenser: For Hire            Roger Thornwood            Episode: "To the End of the Line"

Hothouse            Mr. Austen            Episode: "Nancy: Part 1"

1992            Dinosaurs        Dr. Ficus            Episode: "Germ Warfare"

1994    Mighty Max     Dr. Bob            Episode: "Scorpio Rising"

1998    Pinky and the Brain            Sandy Dreckman            Episode: "You'll Never Eat Food Pellets in This Town Again!"

Love Boat: The Next Wave            Rich            Episode: "Affairs to Remember"

2000    Family Guy      Jim Dial            Episode: "A Picture Is Worth $1,000 Bucks"

The Angry Beavers            Narrator            Episode: "Canucks Amuck"

Batman Beyond            Gordon            Episode: "Out of the Past"

2002    Ally McBeal            Charlie Fish            Episode: "What I'll Never Do for Love Again"

The Zeta Project Pat Jensen            Episode: "On the Wire"

Year     Film            Role            Notes

1976    The Front            Committee counselor   

1977    The Sentinel            Hospital doctor            Uncredited

1979    The Seduction of Joe Tynan            Francis

Starting Over            Salesman        

1980    It's My Turn     Jerome

1987            Switching Channels            Governor Springfield   

1988    The Good Mother            Uncle Orrie   

1995            Whisper of the Heart            Additional Voices            (2006 Disney dub)

1996    The Hunchback of Notre Dame            Victor            Voice

2000    Buzz Lightyear of Star Command: The Adventure Begins  Brain Pod #29

The Land Before Time VII: The Stone of Cold Fire            Rainbow Face #1

2001    The Wedding Planner Mr. Donolly           

Recess: School's Out            Mort Chalk   Voice

2002    The Hunchback of Notre Dame II            Victor

2003    Marci X         Lane Strayfield         

Video games

Year     Title            Role            Notes

1996            Disney's Animated Storybook: The Hunchback of Notre Dame            Victor            Voice-over

The Hunchback of Notre Dame: Topsy Turvy Games

2012            Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance

2017            Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue