Charles Kimbrough, star of ‘Murphy Brown,’ dies at the age of 86— may he rest in peace
Charles Kimbrough, an actor famous for his role in 10 seasons of “Murphy Brown,” passed away on January 11th at the age of 86.
According to his son, Jim Kimbrough, he died of natural causes in Culver City, California. Charles was known for his successful career in film and television and was nominated for both an Emmy and a Tony Award. He was also respected in the theater community for his work.
Kimbrough’s agent, Donna Massetti, said she was sad about the loss of Charles, who was her client and friend for more than 30 years. She said Charles was always fun to watch, whether he was performing on stage or in front of the camera.
Charles Kimbrough, an actor who was nominated for an Emmy Award for portraying a comically rigid news anchor on the hit sitcom “Murphy Brown,” has died at 86. https://t.co/PCISl5xaOu
— The New York Times (@nytimes) February 5, 2023
Charles was famous for his role as Jim Dial in the show Murphy Brown. He appeared in all 247 episodes of the show, which aired from 1988 to 1998, and also played the role again in 2018.
In 1990, Charles was nominated for an Emmy award for his performance in Murphy Brown. He was also nominated for a Tony award in 1971 for his role in the play Company.
Charles is from Minnesota and was the voice of Victor the gargoyle in the popular Disney movie, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, in 1996. He also did the voice for the sequel in 2002 and for some video games. His wife, Beth Howland, who acted in the TV show Alice as a diner worker, passed away in 2016. In an interview with The Wall Street Journal in 2012, Charles said that he is good at playing mean characters and that he feels shy as an actor, which sometimes makes him seem proud.
The news of #CharlesKimbrough’s (“Murphy Brown’s” Jim Dial) passing saddens me enormously. He and his marvelous lady, “Alice’s” #BethHowland, made room for me at their table at a CBS press event years ago — and we had a lovely evening. May both wonderful people Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/2mqY64gMBu
— Jay Bobbin (@JayBobbin1) February 5, 2023
Back in 2012, Charles 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.
“If there was a stiff-guy part, the director would brighten up when I came in. That wasn’t the response I wanted. I was in anguish.”
Before becoming famous on TV and in movies, Kimbrough was well-known in the theater world. In 1995, he acted with Sarah Jessica Parker in a play called Sylvia that was performed off-Broadway.
May Charles Kimbrough rest in peace!
