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Darren McGavin: ''It's good to have the director a little scared of you.''
"I've worked hard to get this terrible reputation," said McGavin.
Like any good actor in the horror genre, Darren McGavin understood that fear was important. Many of us tend to shy away from fear, longing instead for the comfort of what we know and understand. However, the only way to become brave is by looking fear in the face. Besides, a little fear now and then is actually pretty healthy, even productive at times. More than anyone, Darren McGavin understood this.
While the Kolchak television series was only afforded a single season before its untimely cancellation, McGavin was able to portray the character of Carl Kolchak in two separate films, The Night Stalker and The Night Strangler, both of which preceded the series. Because of this, McGavin had ample time to get to know the role that he'd be taking on in the future and even demonstrated impressive dedication in attempting to bring Kolchak to the small screen.
By the time McGavin was cast in Kolchak, the actor had garnered a "bad-boy" image, known around sets for being a bit rebellious. It's a trait he shared with Kolchak and a quality that seemed to draw him to the role in the first place, according to an interview with The Boston Globe.
McGavin explained that by identifying the actor with the character, they seem to understand, and even believe what they're watching.
"From me, they expect a kind of smart-ass freshness," McGavin said, "a doggedness in finishing what I start, a sense of humor, a certain irreverence; a guy who can tell the boss to shove it if he doesn't like what he hears. And that's what they're getting."
That last bit seems a bit extreme, but McGavin felt that a frank and honest nature was imperative as an actor.
"It's good to have the director a little scared of you," he said with a smile. "I've worked hard to get this terrible reputation and I don't want to spoil it now."
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