James was best-known for his role as Lt. Howard Hunter in the iconic 1980s TV series Hill Street Blues (Image: BANG Showbiz.)Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxMore Newsletters SubscribePlease enter a valid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.More NewslettersWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More infoThank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow me See OurPrivacy Notice See OurPrivacy Notice×Group 28 Get daily celeb exclusives and behind the scenes house tours direct to your inboxInvalid emailSomething went wrong, please try again later.Sign UpNo thanks, closeWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. More info×Group 28Thank you for subscribing!We have more newslettersShow MeNo thanks, closeSee our
Privacy NoticeVeteran actor James B. Sikking, known for his role as Lt. Howard Hunter in the iconic 1980s TV series Hill Street Blues, has passed away at the age of 90 after a long struggle with dementia. His publicist Cynthia Synder confirmed the sad news to Variety on Sunday, 14 July. In her tribute, Cynthia stated: “In a remarkable career, Sikking’s wonderfully exciting face gave us drama, comedy, tragedy and hilarious farce.” She also reflected on his extensive career noting that, “His career spanned over six decades in television, film and on stage.”
James starred in Hill Street Blues in the 1980s
(Image: BBC)
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James’ on-screen journey began with guest appearances on cult classics such as Perry Mason, General Hospital, and The Fugitive, with one of his early roles being a part in the 1968 movie Charro! alongside legendary singer Elvis Presley. Securing his claim to fame in the early 1980s with Hill Street Blues, he became a household name over the serial’s six-year tenure. After his celebrated role in the police procedural, James went on to portray the father of Neil Patrick Harris’s character in the popular series Doogie Howser, M.D, sticking with the show for its entire duration. Continuing his robust career into the ’90s, he featured in a selection of made-for-TV films and even graced the set of Curb Your Enthusiasm with his presence for two episodes in 2004 before sharing the screen with stars Drew Barrymore and Jimmy Fallon in the 2005 rom-com Fever Pitch.
He played Neil Patrick Harris’ dad in Doogie Howser, M.D
(Image: c.20thC.Fox/Everett / Rex Features)
His last appearance on the small screen was in a 2012 episode of The Closer, where he portrayed Judge Edward Crosby. In a 2021 interview with Cinema-MovieTheater, he reflected on his most famous role of Howard Hunter on Hill Street Blues because he was “complicated and not always likeable.” He explained: “I was an easy going, happy guy so I had to find the humanity in him. Howard was not ever totally happy or loveable and you have to find qualities that make him endearing to the audience without making him seem exaggerated or unbelievable. He had to be completely believable.” The beloved TV icon leaves behind his wife, Florine Sikking, a celebrated cookbook author he married back in 1962, and their three children.Story SavedYou can find this story in My Bookmarks.Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right.Follow OK! MagazineFacebookTwitterCommentMore OnDrew BarrymoreJimmy FallonComedyDrama
