‘Hill Street Blues’ and ‘Doogie Howser, M.D.’ Actor James Sikking Dies

Renowned actor James Sikking, known for his roles in “Hill Street Blues” and “Doogie Howser, M.D.,” has passed away at the age of 90 due to complications from dementia, according to his publicist.

Sikking’s illustrious career included appearances in various beloved television shows such as “Perry Mason,” “M.A.S.H.,” and “Little House on the Prairie.” However, he was perhaps best recognized for his portrayal of Lt. Howard Hunter, a Vietnam War veteran and head of the Emergency Action Team on “Hill Street Blues.” This character was marked by a mix of uptight demeanor and quirky traits that often provided comic relief. Sikking drew inspiration for this role from a drill instructor he encountered during basic training.

“Hill Street Blues” aired until 1987, featuring numerous memorable moments, including a cliffhanger where Hunter contemplates suicide. Unfortunately, a publication accidentally leaked a teaser hinting at Hunter’s survival.

In 1984, Sikking received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama for his work on the show.

Sikking also had a notable role in “Star Trek III: The Search for Spock” as Captain Styles. Reflecting on this in 2014, he admitted that he initially wasn’t enthusiastic about the character or the sci-fi genre. “It was not my cup of tea. I was not into that kind of outer space business. I had an arrogant point of view in those days. I wanted to do real theater. I wanted to do serious shows, not something about somebody’s imagination of what outer space was going to be like,” he had commented. Despite this initial prejudice, Sikking acknowledged that he had signed more memorabilia for “Star Trek” over the years than for any other role.

Following the end of “Hill Street Blues,” Sikking was cast in another significant role, playing David Howser, the father of the titular character in “Doogie Howser, M.D.” He appeared in all four seasons of the show.

James Sikking was born in Los Angeles in 1934 and was named after “Peter Pan” author James Barrie. His mother, after surviving a severe car accident, founded the Unity by the Sea Church in Santa Monica. His father was also involved in the ministry.

Sikking attended El Segundo High School and later graduated from the University of California, Los Angeles in 1959 after serving in the military.

He is survived by his second wife, Florine, two children, and four grandchildren.

Source: The Associated Press, The Hollywood Reporter