Kathie B. McGavin, 63; Acted in Popular TV Series of 1950s, '60s -- Rest in Peace

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Subject: Kathie B. McGavin, 63; Acted in Popular TV Series of 1950s, '60s

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Beverly Hills

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Date Posted: April 17, 2003 4:37:22 EDT

Kathie Browne McGavin, an actress for two decades who appeared in television series from "Gunsmoke" and "Perry Mason" to "Star Trek" and "The Love Boat," has died. She was 63.

Browne McGavin, a breast cancer survivor, died April 8 in Beverly Hills of natural causes, according to a news release from the family.

Born in San Luis Obispo, she began acting at age 6 in a school play and, after moving to Hollywood in her teens, studied at Los Angeles City College and acted in small theaters.

Seen in a production of "Cat On a Hot Tin Roof" in the 1950s, she was soon put before television cameras for such prime-time western series as "Gunsmoke" and "Bonanza."

Browne McGavin flirted with long-running series, being considered for Pernell Roberts' bride on "Bonanza," until he decided to leave the show, and later for Richard Crenna's wife in his show "Slattery's People."

She was cast in a permanent role as a widowed mother in the 1967 series "Hondo," which, like the 1953 movie starring John Wayne, was based on a Louis L'Amour story.

Browne McGavin, who portrayed Angie Dow, described the series for The Times as "a relaxing kind of thing; the heroes all live, and it always turns out well in the end."

Complaining of "having always been stuck with ingenue or little ol' southern gals with long hair roles," she said she was delighted to have the part of a more mature 1870 widow with a 9-year-old son. Her character was the love interest of Ralph Taeger's Hondo Lane.

But the series lasted less than four months.

Among the actress' other credits were the motion pictures "The Brass Bottle" starring Tony Randall and Burl Ives as the genie who serves him in 1964, and "Brainstorm" with Jeffrey Hunter, Anne Francis and Dana Andrews in 1965.

Browne McGavin appeared in episodes of such other television series as "77 Sunset Strip," "My Favorite Martian," "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour," "Get Smart," "Mannix," "Police Story," "Banacek" and "The Rockford Files."

She married actor Darren McGavin in 1969 and, with him in 1972, co-founded their production company: Taurean Films.

She is survived by her husband, who asked that any memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society.

A memorial service is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. Saturday at the Old North Church at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills.

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