Veteran actor James B. Sikking, famous for his role as Lt. Howard Hunter in the iconic 1980s TV series Hill Street Blues, has passed away at the age of 90 following a lengthy struggle with dementia.
TV Legend James B. Sikking, Known for Hill Street Blues, Dies After Long Battle with Dementia
His publicist Cynthia Snyder confirmed the sad news to Variety on Sunday, 14th July. Paying tribute, Cynthia said, "In a remarkable career, Sikking's wonderfully expressive face brought us drama, comedy, tragedy, and hilarious farce."
Reflecting on his extensive career spanning over six decades across television, film, and stage, she added, "He made an indelible mark in every role he took on."
James began his on-screen journey with guest spots on cult classics such as Perry Mason, General Hospital, and The Fugitive. One of his early film roles was alongside legendary singer Elvis Presley in the 1968 movie Charro!
Achieving prominence in the early 1980s with Hill Street Blues, he became a household name during the show's six-year run.
Following his acclaimed stint in the police procedural, James portrayed the father of Neil Patrick Harris's character in the popular series Doogie Howser, M.D., remaining with the show throughout its entirety.
Continuing his robust career into the '90s, he appeared in several made-for-TV films and featured in two episodes of Curb Your Enthusiasm in 2004. He later starred alongside Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon in the 2005 romantic comedy Fever Pitch.
His final television appearance was in a 2012 episode of The Closer, where he played Judge Edward Crosby.
In a 2021 interview with Cinema-MovieTheater, James reflected on his most famous role as Howard Hunter on Hill Street Blues, describing the character as "complex and not always likeable."
"I'm naturally an easygoing, cheerful guy, so I had to find the humanity in him," he explained. "Howard was never completely happy or loveable, and it was a challenge to portray his endearing qualities to the audience without making him seem exaggerated or unrealistic. He had to be entirely believable."
The beloved TV icon is survived by his wife, Florine Sikking, a renowned cookbook author whom he married in 1962, and their three children.