Daniel von Bargen Biography: Cause of Death, Movies, Wife, Age, Net Worth, Siblings, Parents, Height, Ethnicity

Daniel von Bargen was an American character actor known for his powerful screen presence and commanding roles in both television and film.

Born on June 5, 1950, in Cincinnati, Ohio, he gained fame for playing Commandant Spangler in Malcolm in the Middle and Mr. Kruger in Seinfeld.

With a career spanning several decades, he also appeared in notable films such as O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Thinner, and Super Troopers.

Profile

• Full Name: Daniel von Bargen
• Stage Name: Daniel von Bargen
• Born: June 5, 1950
• Age: Passed away at 64 years old
• Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
• Nationality: American
• Occupation: Actor
• Height: 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 m)
• Parent: Juanita J., Donald L. von Bargen
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Margo Skinner
• Children: None
• Relationship: Single
• Net Worth: $500,000

Early Life And Education

Daniel von Bargen was born on June 5, 1950, in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States. He was 64 years old at the time of his passing away on March 1, 2015. He was raised in a family with American roots and German ancestry, which influenced his surname and heritage.

His parents were Juanita J. von Bargen and Donald L. von Bargen. Details about his siblings have not been publicly disclosed. He was of Caucasian ethnicity and followed Christianity.

Daniel spent part of his childhood in Cincinnati before his family moved to Southern Ohio and later to Pennsylvania. He showed an early interest in performing arts, which eventually led him to pursue acting. For his higher education, he attended Purdue University in Indiana, where he studied drama.

He later continued to develop his acting skills at the prestigious Trinity Repertory Company in Providence, Rhode Island, a theater known for nurturing strong character actors.

Career

Daniel von Bargen began his acting career on the stage, honing his craft in classical and contemporary theater. He spent several years with the Trinity Repertory Company in Rhode Island, where he developed a reputation for powerful and nuanced performances.

His stage work included roles in plays by Shakespeare and other well-known dramatists, laying a strong foundation for his later work in television and film.

He made his television debut in the late 1980s and quickly became known for his ability to portray strict, often intimidating authority figures. One of his earliest notable roles was in the TV movie Married to the Mob (1988), followed by guest appearances on popular series.

Von Bargen achieved widespread recognition for his role as Commandant Edwin Spangler in the sitcom Malcolm in the Middle, where he played a strict military school leader with a comically tragic personal life. His performance brought both humor and depth to the character, making him a fan favorite.

Another standout television role came when he played Mr. Kruger, George Costanza’s clueless boss, in the final season of Seinfeld. His deadpan delivery and dry wit left a lasting impression on viewers and added to his status as a top-tier character actor.

On the big screen, von Bargen appeared in a range of films across genres. He played Sheriff Cooley in the Coen Brothers’ O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000), Chief Grady in Super Troopers (2001), and Chief Duncan Hopley in the Stephen King adaptation Thinner (1996).

Other film credits include Philadelphia (1993), The Postman (1997), Basic Instinct (1992), and The Majestic (2001), where he often portrayed authoritative or morally complex characters. Throughout his career, Daniel von Bargen was praised for bringing realism and gravitas to his roles.

Although he was never a household name, he was deeply respected in the acting community for his consistency, range, and ability to fully inhabit any character he played. His body of work remains a testament to his talent and dedication to the craft of acting.

Personal Life

Daniel von Bargen was previously married to actress Margo Skinner. The couple tied the knot in the mid-1970s and were together for over a decade before divorcing in 1987. Though their marriage eventually ended, both remained dedicated to their respective acting careers during and after their time together.

Daniel did not remarry and had no children. Regarding his height, Daniel von Bargen stood at an impressive height of 6 feet 1 inch (1.85 meters), which complemented his commanding on-screen presence.

Filmography

• Malcolm in the Middle (TV series) – Commandant Spangler
• Seinfeld (TV series) – Mr. Kruger
• O Brother, Where Art Thou? – Sheriff Cooley
• Thinner – Chief Duncan Hopley
• Basic Instinct – Lt. Marty Nilsen
• Super Troopers – Chief Grady
• Philadelphia – Jury Foreman
• The Postman – Pineview Sheriff Briscoe

Net Worth

Daniel von Bargen had an estimated net worth of $500,000. His income primarily came from his acting career, which spanned stage, television, and film.

As a seasoned character actor, he earned steady paychecks through supporting and recurring roles in popular TV series such as Malcolm in the Middle and Seinfeld, as well as appearances in films like O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Super Troopers, and Thinner.