When Jerry Lewis Found His New Partner In Darren McGavin

On August 6, 1956, Jerry Lewis was undoubtedly processing the end of Martin & Lewis, the legendary duo he'd formed with Dean Martin. Their 10-year partnership had dissolved just a week earlier at New York’s Copacabana Club. Heartbroken but determined, Jerry threw himself back into work on his first solo film, The Delicate Delinquent. He was on the lookout for someone to fill Dean's shoes, and after some searching, he found just the guy: Darren McGavin.

The Birth of a New Partnership

“I’m terribly excited about him,” Jerry told Hedda Hopper, the most influential gossip columnist of the era. “I saw his face in a player’s directory, gave him a call, and liked him right away. Then I learned he’d played in The Rainmaker on TV and also on Broadway. He was the dope pusher in The Man with the Golden Arm with Frank Sinatra. Believe me, he’s going to be one of our finest stars.”

Proving Jerry Right

It turns out Jerry’s words were prophetic. Darren McGavin didn’t just become a star—he became an icon. Whether he was reprising his celebrated roles on Broadway, chasing vampires as the legendary Carl Kolchak in The Night Stalker (which inspired Chris Carter to create The X-Files), or playing the unforgettable "Old Man" in A Christmas Story, Darren left an indelible mark on audiences. His portrayal of a man ecstatic about winning “a major award” in A Christmas Story is one of the most cherished moments in holiday cinema.

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A Legacy of Versatility

Mark Dawidziak, a renowned journalist and author of books like The Night Stalker Companion: A 25th Anniversary Tribute and The Columbo Phile, praised McGavin’s immense talent. “McGavin was an actor of great energy, imagination, and versatility,” Mark said. “He had the ability to touch our hearts in profound ways. If you need proof, just watch the 1970 TV movie Tribes, where he plays a Marine drill instructor facing off with a maverick recruit. It’s a stunning performance. And that’s just one of many incredible roles he took on. If you want versatility, watch Tribes, then The Night Stalker, then A Christmas Story, then The Natural, where he plays the shady gambler Gus Sands. Those are just four of his best performances.”

From Painter to Performer

What makes Darren McGavin’s journey even more remarkable is that he didn’t start out dreaming of a career in acting. “Ever since I was a kid, I wanted to do something extraordinary,” he told The Los Angeles Times in 1958. “I was 20 when I entered the entertainment world—not as an actor, but as a scenic artist. I was a stand-by painter and was allowed to be on set while they filmed. I was mesmerized. Someone suggested, ‘Why don’t you try acting?’ I thought about it, went to an agent, and three days later, I was back on the same set, acting instead of painting.”

For more insights into Darren McGavin’s incredible career, keep scrolling down.