James Sikking, ‘Hill Street Blues’ and ‘Doogie Howser, M.D.’ actor, dies at 90

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I was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of James Sikking, a remarkable actor whose career spanned over six decades and left an indelible mark on both television and film. I had the privilege of watching him shine in his iconic roles as Lt. Howard Hunter in “Hill Street Blues” and Dr. David Howser in “Doogie Howser, M.D.”

James Sikking, the esteemed actor who graced our TV screens with his presence in shows like “Hill Street Blues” and “Doogie Howser, M.D.,” has passed away.

On Saturday, Cynthia Snyder, Sikking’s publicist, announced that he had passed away at the age of 90 due to complications from dementia.

In his emotional tribute posted on social media on Monday, Neil Patrick Harris, who acted alongside the late Los Angeles native character artist, fondly recalled him as an incredibly kind, insightful, amusing, and selfless individual that he had had the pleasure of knowing.

Harris, who portrayed Sikking’s character’s son and the show’s brilliant medical prodigy, shared: “A consummate professional. He showed respect to all, imparted valuable lessons, yet retained a playful twinkle in his eyes. It was a privilege for me to be his on-screen son. My sympathies go out to his real family during this difficult time.”

I had an exciting and diverse acting career that spanned almost six decades. I was fortunate enough to be a part of beloved shows like “Starsky and Hutch,” “MASH,” “Columbo,” “General Hospital,” and “Curb Your Enthusiasm.” However, it was my starring roles in “Hill Street Blues” and “Doogie Howser, M.D.” that truly put me on the map.

As a passionate film enthusiast looking back at the early ’80s, I can’t help but acknowledge Ed Marin Sikking’s impressive resume when it came to portraying law enforcement and figures of authority on the silver screen. With NBC’s groundbreaking police procedural “Hill Street Blues,” I found myself fully immersed in this role. From 1981 to 1987, I had the privilege of starring as Lt. Howard Hunter, a Vietnam War veteran and the commanding officer of an emergency response team.

The lieutenant’s strict and humorous personality, derived from his past encounter with a drill instructor while studying at UCLA in the late 1950s, was frequently the source of amusement.

In simpler terms, the drill instructor appeared to have steel-colored hair, and his uniform held an impressive amount of starch that seemed certain to stand rigidly in the corner when he removed it from the barracks. (Fresno Bee interview in 2014)

As a movie lover, I’ve always been fascinated by the history of exceptional television shows, and “Hill Street Blues” is one of them. Created by Steven Bochco and Michael Kozoll, this groundbreaking series raked in an impressive 26 Primetime Emmy Awards throughout its tenure. I was thrilled when I learned that I had a connection to it – I was nominated for a supporting actor Emmy in 1984! However, the honor went to my esteemed co-star, Bruce Weitz, who brilliantly portrayed Sgt. Mick Belker. While I was disappointed at the time, I couldn’t help but admire his performance and the impact it had on the show.

During my time working on “Hill Street Blues,” I couldn’t help but keep a bustling film career going as well. I was fortunate enough to land roles in movies like “Ordinary People,” “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock,” and “Morons From Outer Space.” As a movie buff, it was an exciting experience to be part of such diverse projects.

As a film enthusiast looking back at the fascinating world of television, I can’t help but be in awe of the incredible collaborations that have graced our screens over the years. One such collaboration that left an indelible mark on me is the reunion of Sikking and Bochco following their groundbreaking work on “Hill Street Blues.” This time around, they teamed up for “Doogie Howser, M.D.”

After “Doogie Howser, M.D.,” Sikking took on smaller roles in the shows “Brooklyn South” and “Invasion America.” In addition, he focused on film and TV movies such as “In Pursuit of Honor,” “Dare to Love,” “Mutiny,” and “Made of Honor.” His most recent projects have been the 2012 film “Just an American” and the TV series “The Closer.”

Born on March 5, 1934, in Los Angeles, Sikking earned his degree from UCLA in 1959. He entered into marriage with Florine Caplan, resulting in two children and four grandchildren.

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2024-07-18 19:17