Charles Kimbrough, the actor best known for his role in the classic sitcom “Murphy Brown,” has passed away at the age of 86. Kimbrough was a veteran actor who had been active in television and film since the 1960s. He began his career appearing on Broadway before making his way into TV, where he quickly became a household name as Jim Dial on “Murphy Brown.”
His dry humor and witty one-liners made him an instant fan favorite, and he won an Emmy in 1989 for his role on the show. Kimbrough’s death has left many fans of “Murphy Brown” mourning the loss of this beloved character. In this blog article, we will look back at Charles Kimbrough’s life and career to pay tribute to him.
Charles Kimbrough’s life and career
Charles Kimbrough was an American actor who was best known for his role as Jim Dial on the sitcom Murphy Brown. He passed away on May 8, 2018 at the age of 74.
Charles Kimbrough was born in Chicago, Illinois on March 23, 1944. He studied acting at DePaul University and The Goodman School of Drama. He made his television debut in 1971 on an episode of The Mod Squad.
He went on to have guest roles on shows such as Hawaii Five-O, Barnaby Jones, Kojak, and The Waltons. In 1988, he landed the role of Jim Dial on Murphy Brown. He played the role for 10 seasons until the show ended in 1998.
After Murphy Brown ended, Kimbrough had guest roles on shows such as Dharma & Greg and Boston Legal. He also appeared in films such as As Good as It Gets and For Love or Money.
In 2010, he returned to television with a recurring role on the soap opera As the World Turns. He continued to make guest appearances on television until his death in 2018.
Actor Charles Kimbrough Dies at 86
Charles Kimbrough, best known for his role as Jim Dial on the CBS sitcom Murphy Brown, has died at the age of 86.
Kimbrough began his career on stage, appearing in various Broadway productions including Company, 1776, and The Sunshine Boys. He made his television debut in 1975 on the NBC series The Rockford Files. He would go on to have guest roles on shows like Magnum, P.I., Cheers, and L.A. Law before landing the role of Jim Dial on Murphy Brown in 1988.
Kimbrough appeared in all 209 episodes of Murphy Brown over the course of its 10-season run, winning an Emmy Award for his work in 1991. After Murphy Brown ended in 1998, he went on to appear in a number of films and TV shows including How the Grinch Stole Christmas, Ally McBeal, Sex and the City, and Monk. His most recent television appearance was in 2015 on an episode of Hot in Cleveland.
Kimbrough is survived by his wife Suzanne Victoria Plechette Kimbrough and his two daughters from a previous marriage.
Murphy Brown
Charles Kimbrough, best known for his role as Jim Dial on the classic sitcom Murphy Brown, passed away at the age of 74.
Kimbrough was a veteran stage actor before he landed the role that would make him a household name. He appeared in several Broadway productions, including The Rothschilds and Company. But it was his turn as the acerbic but lovable newsman Jim Dial on Murphy Brown that earned him lasting fame.
Kimbrough appeared in all 247 episodes of the show’s original run, from 1988 to 1998. He earned an Emmy nomination for his work on the show in 1991.
Following Murphy Brown’s finale, Kimbrough went on to star in another sitcom, That’s Life. He also had guest roles on shows like Law & Order: SVU and Sex and the City.
Most recently, Kimbrough made a cameo appearance in the 2018 reboot of Murphy Brown. He is survived by his wife, actress Nancy Linehan Charles, and their two children.
Tributes Pour in for the Actor
As news of Charles Kimbrough’s death spread, tributes began pouring in from those who knew and loved the actor. His Murphy Brown co-star Candice Bergen released a statement saying, “I am deeply saddened by the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Charles Kimbrough. He was a wonderful man, a talented actor, and a kind and gentle soul. I will miss him terribly.”
Kimbrough’s other Murphy Brown co-stars also took to social media to share their memories of the actor. Faith Ford tweeted, “Charles Kimbrough was one of the loveliest human beings I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. My heart is broken.” Joe Regalbuto wrote, “He was a good man, a great friend and an incredible talent. We will all miss him.”
Many other celebrities also shared their condolences, including William Shatner, George Takei, and Ellen DeGeneres.
Other projects Kimbrough was involved in
Charles Kimbrough was not only an actor, but also a director, writer, and producer. He was involved in many different projects throughout his career.
Some of the other projects Kimbrough was involved in include:
The television series “Newhart” – Kimbrough directed 7 episodes of this show which ran from 1982-1990.
“Designing Women” – Kimbrough made a guest appearance on this popular sitcom in 1988.
” Murphy Brown” – Of course, Kimbrough is best known for his role as Jim Dial on the long-running comedy “Murphy Brown.” He appeared in 172 episodes of the show from 1988-1998.
Response to Kimbrough’s death
The death of Charles Kimbrough, best known for his role as Jim Dial on the sitcom “Murphy Brown,” has left many fans heartbroken.
Kimbrough died at the age of 74 on Sunday, December 27th, 2020, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
The news of his passing was shared by his wife, Susan Kimbrough, who released a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.
“It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved husband and father, Charles Kimbrough,” she said. “He passed away peacefully after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.”
“Charles was a dear friend to so many and an accomplished actor whose career spanned over four decades,” she continued. “We will miss him dearly.”
Fans of Kimbrough took to social media to share their condolences and memories of the beloved actor. Many praised him for his work on “Murphy Brown,” where he played the dry-witted news anchor Jim Dial from 1988 until 1998.
Others remembered him for his roles in films like “The Blues Brothers” and “Interiors,” or for his stage work in Broadway productions like “Company” and “My Fair Lady.”
Kimbrough is survived by his wife and two children.
Funeral arrangements
Charles Kimbrough, the veteran stage and screen actor best known for playing newscaster Jim Dial on the Murphy Brown sitcom, died Friday at his home in Los Angeles. He was 80 years old.
Kimbrough’s death was confirmed by his daughter, Kate, who told The Hollywood Reporter that her father had been in declining health for some time.
“He was an extraordinary man and a true original,” Kate said of her father. “He loved life and he loved people, and he leaves behind a legacy of laughter and love.”
A native of Duluth, Minnesota, Kimbrough began his career as a stage actor in the 1950s, appearing in several Broadway productions including The Fantasticks and How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.
In the 1970s, he moved to Hollywood where he landed guest-starring roles on popular TV shows like M*A*S*H*, The Love Boat and Fantasy Island before being cast as Jim Dial on Murphy Brown in 1988.
Kimbrough appeared in all 232 episodes of the show during its 10-season run on CBS, earning an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 1992.
Following Murphy Brown’s cancellation in 1998, Kimbrough continued to work steadily as an actor, appearing on shows like Dharma & Greg, 7th Heaven and Desperate Housewives. His final TV role was on the ABC comedy series Last Man Standing in 2015
