Name: Dr. Richard Kimble
Portrayed by: David Janssen
TV series: The Fugitive
Occupation: Pediatrician before getting arrested for his wife’s murder.
Lifestyle: Since he was constantly trying to evade police Lieutenant Philip Gerard (Barry Morse), Kimble rarely stayed in one place for long. His occupations included: truck driver; farm laborer; bartender; chauffeur; construction worker; fisherman, masseuse, bellhop, and carnival worker.
Family and Friends: Father was Dr. John Kimble, who had a heart attack and retired to a home in the country. Had a strained relationship with his brother Ray, but was very close to his sister Donna Taft (who appeared in five episodes). Deceased wife was Helen Kimble; her sister Terry was in love with Richard. Kimble developed feelings for several women during his years on the run. In the final episode, “The Judgment,” he appeared to have found true love with Jean Carlisle (Diane Baker).
Trademark: Quick, slight smile with only one side of the mouth turned up.
Adversaries: Stafford, Indiana detective detective Philip Gerard (who appeared in 37 episodes) and Fred Johnson (10 episodes), the one-armed man who murdered Helen Kimble. Interestingly, Kimble had encounters with both Gerard’s wife (the two-part “Landscape With Running Figures”) and son Phil Jr. (“Nemesis”).
Useful Skills: He was a physician!
Classic quote: “I didn’t kill my wife.”
Classic episodes: “Landscape with Running Figures”; “The 2130” (a computer is used to track Kimble); and “Corner of Hell” (Kimble saves Gerard from moonshiners).
Seven Things to Know About The Fugitive
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