Darren McGavin, probably best known for "A Christmas Story", has died at the age of 83.  When I was young, his portrayal of Kolchak - The Night Stalker was one of the highlights of my week.  Even after the series ended, I watched just about everything that came out that he was in; I only watched "A Christmas Story" because he was in it (though I have come to prefer it to every other Christmas movie out there).