Actor Charles Kimbrough, Jim Dial on ‘Murphy Brown,’ dies at age 86

Charles Kimbrough, who drew a decade of laughs playing straight-laced news anchor Jim Dial opposite Candice Bergen’s “Murphy Brown,” has died.

He was 86.

He died on Jan. 11 in Culver City, California, of causes his family did not disclose.

Kimbrough earned a supporting comedy actor Emmy nomination in 1990 for his role on the CBS hit sitcom, which also starred Faith Ford, Grant Shaud and Joe Regalbuto. He played Dial from 1988 to 1998 and reprised the role in the 2018 reboot, appearing in three episodes.

Before “Murphy Brown,” Kimbrough appeared in numerous series guest spots, including “Another World,” “Kojak,” “Love Boat: The Next Wave” and “Allie McBeal.”

Kimbrough also was known for voiceover work, most notably giving life to Victor the gargoyle in the 1996 animated film “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” which he reprised in the 2002 sequel and several video game iterations. Other such roles included Sandy Dreckman in “Pinky and the Brain.”

He was a veteran stage actor as well, earning a Tony Award nomination in 1971 for his first big break, playing hard-drinking Harry in the first incarnation of Stephen Sondheim’s “Company.” In 1984 he starred in “Sunday in the Park With George,” and in 1995 he appeared in the off-Broadway production of “Sylvia” opposite Sarah Jessica Parker. His most recent stage role was in a 2012 revival of “Harvey,” starring alongside Jim Parsons.

In 2002, 30 years after appearing alongside her in “Company,” Kimbrough married fellow actor Beth Howland, who also played diner waitress Vera in the CBS sitcom “Alice.” Howland died in 2015. Kimbrough was previously married for 30 years to Mary Jane Kimbrough, who died in 2007.

He’s survived by sister Linda Kimbrough, son John Kimbrough and stepdaughter Holly Howland, according to The New York Times.

With News Wire Services