HILL STREET BLUES — "The Spy Who Came in from Delgado" Episode 210 — Pictured: James B. Sikking as ... [+]
James B. Sikking, who rose to prominence in his Emmy-nominated role as Lt. Howard Hunter on Hill Street Blues, died from complications of Dementia on Saturday at his Los Angeles home. He was 90.
“In a remarkable career, Sikking’s wonderfully exciting face gave us drama, comedy, tragedy and hilarious farse. His career spanned over six decades in television, film and on stage,” the late actor’s publicist, Cynthia Snyder, said in a statement. “His talent, integrity and imagination intrigued and delighted audiences.”
Born on March 5, 1934 in Los Angeles, James B. Sikking made the rounds early in his career on television with guest spots on TV dramas including Perry Mason, Combat!, Rawhide, The Outer Limits and The Fugitive, and sitcoms including My Favorite Martian, My Mother the Car, Gomer Pyle, USMC, and Hogan’s Heroes. From 1965 to 1974, he appeared in 11 episodes of crime solver The F.B.I. And he continued to make appearances in dozens of TV series until the arrival of Hill Street Blues in 1981.
(Original Caption) The Cast Of NBC-TV's Hill Street Blues. In front are L to R: Michael Warren, Kiel ... [+]
In 1989, two years after Hill Street Blues concluded, Sikking began his four season stint as David Howser, the father of Neil Patrick Harris as Dr. Doogie Howser, in the medical-themed comedy-drama Doogie Howser, M.D.
UNITED STATES: Doogie Howser, M.D. is a comedy-drama starring Neil Patrick Harris (right) as Douglas ... [+]
In 1997, Sikking co-starred in the one season CBS crime drama Brooklyn South.
His film roles included Von Ryan's Express (1965), Charro! (1969) with Elvis Presley, Scorpio (1973), Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984), The Pelican Brief (1993), and Made of Honor (2008).
Sikking is survived by his wife of 61 years, Florine, their son Andrew, their daughter Emily, and four grandchildren.