July 15th 2024.
The entertainment industry is mourning the loss of actor James B. Sikking, who passed away at the age of 90. Sikking was best known for his role as Lt. Howard Hunter on the popular series Hill Street Blues. Cynthia Snyder, Sikking's publicist, shared the sad news of his passing at his home in Los Angeles. Sikking had been battling dementia for a long time.
In addition to his iconic role on Hill Street Blues, Sikking also played the father of the titular character on Doogie Howser, M.D. He starred alongside Neil Patrick Harris and his performance was well-received by audiences. Sikking's versatility as an actor was evident in his various roles, such as a hit man in Point Blank, Captain Styles in Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, and the FBI director in The Pelican Brief.
Before landing his breakthrough role on Hill Street Blues in 1981, Sikking had already made a name for himself on television with guest appearances on popular shows like Mission: Impossible, M.A.S.H., and Hawaii Five-O. He was a familiar face to many American viewers and was grateful for the opportunity to shape his character on Hill Street Blues, thanks to creator Steven Bochco.
Throughout his career, Sikking appeared in numerous movies and TV shows, but Lt. Hunter will always be remembered as his most iconic role. He based the character on a drill sergeant he once trained under, describing him as having "steel for hair" and a uniform with so much starch that it could stand on its own. Sikking's attention to detail in his portrayal of Hunter earned him an Emmy nomination.
Sikking continued to work with Bochco after Hill Street Blues ended, playing the lovable father of Doogie Howser on the hit sitcom. He appeared in over 100 episodes and his performance was praised by both critics and fans.
Although he largely retired from acting after Doogie Howser, Sikking remained passionate about his craft and was open to the possibility of returning to the screen. In a 2014 interview, he shared that "acting is a license to do self-investigation" and that he found "obscurity quite attractive" in recent years.
Aside from his successful acting career, Sikking was also known for his humanitarian efforts. He raised funds for cystic fibrosis and the Susan G. Komen Foundation and was a volunteer for the Screen Actor's Guild Book Pals program, reading to children for nearly 20 years.
Sikking is survived by his second wife, author Florine Caplan, whom he married in 1962, as well as his children and grandchildren. His legacy as a talented actor and kind-hearted individual will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, James B. Sikking.
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