TV veteran James B. Sikking dies aged 90

15 July, 2024

James B. Sikking

TV star James B. Sikking has passed away at the age of 90.

The actor was perhaps best known for playing the role of Lt. Howard Hunter in Hill Street Blues between 1981 and 1987, as well as the father of Neil Patrick Harris’s character in Doogie Howser, M.D..

Sikking died after battling dementia, with his publicist Cynthia Synder telling People he passed away “peacefully at his Los Angeles home surrounded by family”.

Born in Los Angeles, the actor earned a degree in Theatre Arts from UCLA, and also served in the army, which he revealed in 2014 served as inspiration for his role as Hunter in Hill Street Blues.

'Hill Street Blues' cast
‘Hill Street Blues’ cast. CREDIT: Getty/Bettmann

“The drill instructor looked like he had steel for hair and his uniform had so much starch in it, you knew it would sit in the corner when he took it off in the barracks,” he told The Seattle Times.

“So when I started to play Howard, I picked out the way he should be dressed. It had to be a very military look. He had to have those jump boots. When people asked me where I got the idea for his look, I told them it was the same look I had in the Army.”

The Hill Street Blues role brought Sikking widespread fame, and the star later earned an Emmy nomination in 1984.

Speaking further to The Seattle Times, he admitted: “I’ve been an actor for 50 years and when I look back at the show, I think it was the best show I was ever on.”

Throughout his career, Sikking also appeared in TV shows Perry Mason, The Fugitive, General Hospital, The Incredible Hulk and Batman Beyond, as well as films Star Trek III: The Search for Spock and Narrow Margin.

The actor has received a flood of tributes since his death was announced, with a Hill Street Blues fan page writing: “Saddened by the passing of James B Sikking. Howard was my favourite character on the show. R.I.P.”

Many more have shared their own tributes:

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