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Kolchak: The Night Stalker tells the tale of a reporter, Carl Kolchak, who works for the Independent News Service in Chicago. Carl's claim to fame? He often finds himself in the middle of all kinds of strange, often supernatural events.

The series sprung from two successful movies, The Night Stalker was broadcast on January 11, 1972, and became the highest-rated TV movie at that time. One year later, came a sequel, The Night Strangler, which aired on January 16, 1973. A third film was planned but it was ditched in favor of a series that ran for one season on ABC in 1974.

Sad News to report: Darren McGavin passed away at approximately 7:10 A.M. Pacific time, Saturday, February 25, 2006. He was 83.  Darren was one of my favorite actors. He always brought a robust and impassioned spark of personality to any role he played. When he was on the screen, I was riveted. I'll miss you, Darren - Rest in peace.

Carl spars with Tony Vincenzo

Darren McGavin as Carl Kolchak
     This show never would have worked without Darren in the lead. One can question the absurdity of the premise, of how the same man always comes up against these strange beings and occurrences - And yet it works because McGavin's a joy to watch.

His Carl Kolchak is as tenacious as they come. No matter how bizarre the situation, he'll fight tooth and nail until he uncovers the truth - Often annoying Police Captains and giving his editor a pain on the gut as he does so.

These supernatural events give Carl the shivers just like they would anyone else, but he'll step up and do what's right when no one else will... even if it could kill him. With a cutting wit and trademark straw hat, Carl tracks and exposes those things that go bump in the night.


Simon Oakland as Tony Vincenzo 
     As great as Darren McGavin is as Kolchak, he needed a counterpart who was his equal. With Simon Oakland they found the perfect man to play Tony Vincenzo, Carl's oft frustrated editor at the INS.

With his bombastic personality, it's pretty easy for Carl to get under Tony's skin. It's not that he hates Kolchak, Vincenzo's a newsman and he knows a good reporter when he sees one. It's just that instead of buckling down on the assignments he gives, Carl goes off on these wild chases, stirs up trouble, which results in Vincenzo taking the brunt from city officials and his own bosses on the paper.

Jack Grinnage as Ron Updyke
Neat, prim, kind of anal, and a pain in Kochaks neck. Ron is the society columnist who sometimes, and eagerly, accepts meatier stories when Carl isn't around. Carl calls him "Uptight" but he's been known to crack a corny joke now and then

Ruth McDevitt as Miss Emily Cowles
Carl's most trusted friend at the INS, the elderly Miss Emily does just about everything at the paper. She writes an advice column, creates the crossword puzzles, and is always there to help Kochak run down a lead.

Created by Jeff Rice
Executive producer: Cy Chermak, Darren McGavin
Producers: Paul Playdon, Cy Chermak
Story consultant: David Chase
Music score: Jerry Fielding, Gil Melle, Luchi De Jesus, Greig McRitchie
Theme: Gil Melle

Note: This website was born in 2005 on a Yahoo page, and moved here in 2014.