Iconic US TV star James B. Sikking dies, aged 90

The beloved star of such iconic shows including Hill Street Blues and Doogie Howser has tragically passed away.

James B. Sikking, known for his roles as Lt. Howard Hunter on Hill Street Blues and the titular character’s father on Doogie Howser, M.D., has died.

The beloved US actor passed away on Saturday from complications related to dementia, his publicist said in a statement.

“In a remarkable career, Sikking’s wonderfully exciting face gave us drama, comedy, tragedy and hilarious farce,” said the statement.

James B. Sikking, known for his roles as Lt. Howard Hunter on Hill Street Blues and the titular character’s father on Doogie Howser, M.D., has died. Picture: Getty.

“His career spanned over six decades in television, film and on stage.”

Most known for playing Lt. Howard Hunter on Hill Street Blues and Dr. David Howser on Doogie Howser, M.D., Sikking also appeared on such shows as Rawhide, Bonanza, Starsky & Hutch, The Rockford Files, Brooklyn South, Turnabout, General Hospital and Curb Your Enthusiasm.

When Hill Street Blues debuted on the heels of a Hollywood dual strike, the NBC show was met with low ratings and little fanfare. But the struggling network kept it on the air: “Up popped this word ‘demographic,’” Sikking told the Star Tribune in 2014.

“We were reaching people with a certain education and (who) made a certain kind of money. They called it the ‘Esquire audience.’”

Sikking would earn an Emmy nomination for outstanding supporting actor in a drama in 1984.

“It was a lot of hard work, but everybody loved it and that shows. When you have the people who are involved in the creation, manufacture — whatever you want to call it — who are really into it and enjoy doing it, you’re going to get a good product,” he told Parade.com in 2014.

Hill Street Blues became hugely iconic and developed a dedicated fanbase. Picture: Supplied.

“We always had three different stories running through (each episode), which means you had to listen and you had to pay attention because everything was important.”

On the big screen, Sikking starred alongside Frank Sinatra in Von Ryan’s Express (1965) and Elvis Presley in Charro! (1969), as well as films like Ordinary People (1960), Scorpio (1973), Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984), The Pelican Brief (1993), Fever Pitch (2005) and Made of Honor (2008).

One of five kids, James Barrie (named for the Peter Pan author) Sikking was born in Los Angeles on March 5, 1934. His mother, Sue, founded the Unity by the Sea Church in Santa Monica in gratitude after she recovered from a nearly fatal car accident. His father, Art, followed his wife into the ministry.

Originally published as Iconic US TV star James B. Sikking dies, aged 90