Hill Street Blues actor James B. Sikking died at LA house from dementia
Actor James B. Sikking, known for appearing on shows such as Hill Street Blues and Doogie Howser, M.D., has died at the age of 90 after a battle with dementia.
The actor passed away ‘peacefully at his Los Angeles home surrounded by family,’ his rep Cynthia Synder said in a statement, according to People.
Among other TV and film productions Sikking appeared in amid his career that spanned more than five decades include the shows Little House on the Prairie, General Hospital and Brooklyn South; and films such as The Pelican Brief, Fever Pitch and Ordinary People.
Both of Sikking’s most-prominent roles came on the series created by late producer Steven Bochco, who died in April of 2018 following a battle with leukemia.
From 1981-1987 he portrayed Lt. Howard Hunter – the head of the Emergency Action Team – on 144 episodes of the NBC police procedural series Hill Street Blues.
Actor James B. Sikking, known for appearing on shows such as Hill Street Blues and Doogie Howser, M.D., has died at the age of 90 after a battle with dementia. Pictured in LA in 1986
The veteran actor was pictured at an event in Hollywood, California in January of 2011
He garnered an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 1984.
Sikking also played Dr. David Howser, the father of child prodigy Doogie Howser (played by Neil Patrick Harris), on 97 episodes of the ABC series on Doogie Howser, M.D. from 1989-1993.
Sikking was born in 1984 in Los Angeles and an alum of El Segundo High School and UCLA, where he got a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts, according to the outlet.
He also served in the Army, later saying that he drew upon traits exhibited by his drill instructor for the Lt. Howard Hunter role on Hill Street Blues.
Sikking in April of 2014 said in an interview with The Seattle Times, ‘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.
‘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.’
Sikking early on his career was active in plays, performing at the Barn Theatre School in Michigan, while working steadily on TV over the 1960s and 1970s.
Among the shows he appeared on in the 1960s included Perry Mason, General Hospital, My Mother the Car, The Fugitive, Bonanza and Adam-12.
Sikking portrayed Lt. Howard Hunter on 144 episodes of the NBC police procedural series Hill Street Blues. Pictured opposite Jan Stratton on a 1982 episode of the show
Sikking garnered an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal of the head of the Emergency Action Team in 1984. Pictured in 1983
Sikking was remembered by a number of fans on social media amid news of his passing
In the 1970s, Sikking was seen on shows such as M*A*S*H, Hogan’s Heroes, Night Gallery, Mission: Impossible, The Doris Day Show, The Streets of San Francisco, Mod Squad, Columbo, The F.B.I., Eight Is Enough, Starsky and Hutch, Charlie’s Angels and The Rockford Files.
Sikking was remembered by a number of fans on social media amid news of his passing.
A tweet from the account Hill Street Blues Fan Group read: ‘Saddened by the passing of James B Sikking. Howard was my favourite character on the show. R.I.P.’
Another user said, ‘R.I.P. James, thanks for all the memories. Hill Street Blues was a huge part of my cultural life in the 1980s. Magnificent show and Howard was a great character. So many other great roles, Outland, Narrow Margin, Star Chamber and more.’
Said one fan: ‘Aw, man. Howard was one of my favorite characters on Hill Street Blues. Enjoyed Sikking’s performance in OUTLAND as well. R.I.P.’
One fan called the late actor ‘a favorite and a dynamic personality of roles,’ adding, ‘Rest In Peace.’
