James Sikking: ‘Hill Street Blues’ and ‘Doogie Howser, M.D.’ Star Passes Away at 90
Hollywood in Mourning: TV Legend James Sikking’s Passing Shocks Fans
James B. Sikking, renowned for his roles as Lt. Howard Hunter in the police procedural series “Hill Street Blues” and the father of the titular character in “Doogie Howser, M.D.,” has died at the age of 90. His passing has left a profound sense of loss among his fans and colleagues.
The Illustrious Career of James Sikking
Sikking passed away on Saturday due to complications from dementia, as announced by his publicist, Cynthia Snyder, on Sunday evening.
“Sikking’s remarkable career gave us drama, comedy, tragedy, and hilarious farce,” Snyder shared with Variety. “His career spanned over six decades on television, in film, and on stage.”
Unforgettable Contributions
James Sikking is best remembered for his portrayal of Lt. Howard Hunter in the hit series “Hill Street Blues” (1981-1987) on NBC. His exceptional performance earned him an Emmy nomination in 1984. Following “Hill Street Blues,” Sikking made a lasting impression as Dr. David Howser, the father of Doogie Howser (Neil Patrick Harris), in the medical sitcom “Doogie Howser, M.D.” (1989-1993).
He reprised his role as a police officer in the short-lived series “Brooklyn South” (1997-1998), created by Steven Bochco, the co-creator of both “Hill Street Blues” and “Doogie Howser, M.D.” Before becoming a regular on “Hill Street Blues,” Sikking made guest appearances in numerous popular series such as “Perry Mason,” “General Hospital,” “The Outer Limits,” “The Fugitive,” “Rawhide,” “Bonanza,” “Ironside,” “Starsky & Hutch,” and “The Rockford Files.”
Cinematic Achievements
In film, Sikking was notable for his role as Captain Styles in “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock” (1984) and as the FBI director in “The Pelican Brief” (1993). His other film credits include “Point Blank,” “Made of Honor,” “Fever Pitch,” “Charro!,” “Final Approach,” “Ordinary People,” “Terminal Man,” and “Von Ryan’s Express.” He also worked on four films directed by Peter Hyams: “Capricorn One,” “Outland,” “The Star Chamber,” and “Narrow Margin.”
Life and Legacy
Born James Barrie Sikking on March 5, 1934, in Los Angeles, he was the youngest of five children. He graduated from UCLA in 1959 with a degree in theatre arts, where he met Florine Caplan, his wife of more than 60 years.
James Sikking is survived by his wife Florine, son Andrew (Paula), daughter Dr. Emily Sikking (Mallory “Chip” Milam), and four grandchildren, Lola and Gemma Sikking, and Hugh and Madeline “Maddie” Milam.
