James B. Sikking, Actor on ‘Hill Street Blues’ and ‘Doogie Howser,’ Dies at 90

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As a devoted fan of James B. Sikking‘s illustrious career, I am deeply saddened by the news of his passing at the age of 90 due to complications from dementia. Sikking was not only an accomplished and versatile actor but also a fascinating figure with an extraordinary life experience.

James B. Sikking, beloved actor of Steven Bochco’s productions, passed away at the age of 90. He brought the stern Lt. Howard Hunter to life on “Hill Street Blues” and portrayed the loving father doctor role on “Doogie Howser, M.D.”

Cynthia Sinder made the sad announcement on Saturday that Sikking passed away at his Los Angeles residence due to complexities arising from dementia.

Sikking, who gained fame for his television performances, also made significant appearances in films. He portrayed a menacing hitman in “Point Blank” (1967) directed by John Boorman, played the uptight Captain Styles in Leonard Nimoy’s “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock” (1984), and took on the role of the FBI director in Alan J. Pakula’s “The Pelican Brief” (1993).

For nearly two decades, Sikking appeared in various television series including “The Outer Limits,” “Honey West,” “The Fugitive,” “Hogan’s Heroes,” and “Mannix.” Eventually, he landed the role of Hunter, the pipe-smoking head of a SWAT-team-like unit called Emergency Action Team, on NBC’s “Hill Street Blues.”

With the help of Michael Kozoll, Bochco allowed Sikking to develop his character’s traits. Inspired by a real-life drill instructor met during military training at Fort Bragg in North Carolina, Sikking modeled Hunter after this person.

In a 2014 conversation with The Fresno Bee, the drill instructor was described as having steel-grey hair and a uniform brimming with starch, so rigid that it would stand on its own when removed in the barracks. When I began portraying Howard, I decided his appearance needed to be distinctly military.

I was a regular character on the beloved drama series that ran for seven seasons from 1981 to 1987, appearing in a total of 144 episodes. In 1984, I even earned an Emmy nomination.

Bochco once more sought out Sikking for the role of “Doogie Howser.” In this production, he portrayed David Howser, a Vietnam war veteran who became a family doctor. He was married to Katherine, played by Belinda Montgomery, and was also the father of Doogie (Neil Patrick Harris). This character graced all four seasons (1989-93) of the ABC series.

After that, he took on the role of a police officer once more for Bochco in “Brooklyn South,” a CBS show that ran for only one season (1997-98).

Born in Los Angeles on March 5, 1934, James Barrie Sikking was one of five children. Named after J.M. Barrie, the famous author of “Peter Pan,” James grew up with a unique connection to literature. His mother, Sue, was a remarkable woman who survived a nearly fatal car accident and in gratitude, founded the Unity by the Sea Church in Santa Monica. Following his wife’s lead, James’ father, Art, also became involved in the ministry.

Sikking went to El Segundo High School for his education. Following his military commitment, he earned a theater degree from UCLA in 1959. Subsequently, he made guest appearances on “Perry Mason” and “Assignment: Underwater” in 1961. Later, he featured in films such as “The Carpetbaggers” (1964), “Von Ryan’s Express” (1965), and “In Like Flint” (1967).

Sikking collaborated with Bochco on an episode of “Name of the Game” for NBC in 1971, where Bochco was a story editor and later made guest appearances on CBS shows “Delvecchio” and “Paris,” as well as becoming a regular cast member on NBC’s “Turnabout.” All three productions were penned by Bochco. Thus, Sikking’s career led him to work with Bochco in various capacities before the start of “Hill Street Blues.”

“I’d done acres of crap,” he said of joining Hill Street in 2006. “This was special.”

(Later, he showed up Hunter on Bochco’s ill-fated ABC series Cop Rock in 1990.)

Between the years 1971 to 1976, Sikking portrayed the role of Jim Hobart, a surgeon with an alcohol addiction, on the ABC daytime soap opera “General Hospital.” Additionally, he appeared as the estranged father of Jim Carrey in the critically acclaimed 1992 Fox television movie titled “Doing Time on Maple Drive.”

Harve Bennett, an old classmate from UCLA, arranged for him to be hired for the one-day job on “The Search for Spock” production.

I’m a huge fan of the versatile and talented actor, Sikking. Throughout his impressive career, he graced our screens in various films such as “The New Centurions” and “The Magnificent Seven Ride!” both released in 1972, “Scorpio” from 1973, “Capricorn One” in 1977, and many more. Some of his notable works include “The Electric Horseman” (1979), “The Competition” (1980), “Ordinary People” and “Outland” (both from 1980 and 1981 respectively), “The Star Chamber” (1983), “Narrow Margin” (1990), “Final Approach” (1991), and more recently, “Fever Pitch” (2005) and “Made of Honor” (2008).

I’m thrilled to share that among the fortunate souls who lived on are my beloved wife Florine, a brilliant writer whom I met at UCLA and wed in 1962, and our two wonderful children, Emily and Andrew.

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2024-07-15 06:25