Charles Kimbrough, who played anchor in 'Murphy Brown,' dies

LOS ANGELES (AP) – Charles Kimbrough, a Tony- and Emmy-nominated actor who played a straight-laced news anchor opposite Candice Bergen on “Murphy Brown,” died Jan. 11 in Culver City, California. . He was 86 years old.

Kimbrough played newsman Jim Dial in 10 seasons of the CBS hit sitcom “Murphy Brown” between 1988 and 1998, earning an Emmy nomination in 1990 for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series. He reprized the role for three episodes in the 2018 reboot.

The New York Times first reported his death and his son confirmed it to The Associated Press on Sunday.

Kimbrough’s wife, actor Beth Howland, who played diner server Vera in the 1970s and ’80s CBS sitcom “Alice”, died in 2016. Kimbrough, who died in 2007.

The Times reports that Kimbrough has a sister, Linda Kimbrough, a son, John Kimbrough, and a stepdaughter, Holly Howland.

Born on May 23, 1936, Kimbrough spent years in the New York theater scene. She was nominated for a Tony in 1971 for her Broadway performance in the Steven Sondheim musical “Company”.

Kimbrough also provided the voice of a gargoyle named Victor in Disney’s animated film “The Hunchback of Notre Dame”.