James B. Sikking, who is best known for his roles in the TV series Hills Street Blues and Doogie Howser, M.D. passed away on Saturday, July 13 at the age of 90.
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James’ cause of death was dementia. His publicist, Cynthia Snyder, also told Deadline that the late actor died peacefully in his home surrounded by his family.
“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,” Snyder said. “His talent, integrity, and imagination intrigued and delighted audiences.”
Born in Los Angeles in 1934, James B. Sikking earned a Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts from UCLA. He also spent some time in the U.S. Army. His acting career started in 1955, with an uncredited role as Union Sergeant in the western film Five Guns West.
Among the other TV shows Sikking appeared in over the years were Bonanza, Starsky & Hutch, The Rockford Files, General Hospital, and Curb Your Ethusasiam. His final role was in The Closer in 2012, in which he appeared as Judge Edward Crosby.
Sikking married his second wife, cookbook author Florine Sikking in 1962. They had three children.
James B. Sikking Reflected On His Role in ‘Hill Street Blues’
During a 2014 interview with The Seattle Times, James B. Sikking reflected on how his basic training in the U.S. Army prepared him for the role in Hill Street Blues.
“The drill instructor looked like he had steel for hair, and his uniform had so much starch in it, you knew it would sit in the corner when he took it off in the barracks,” he told The Seattle Times.
“So when I started to play Howard, I picked out the way he should be dressed. It had to be a very military look. He had to have those jump boots.”
James also pointed out, “When people asked me where I got the idea for his look, I told them it was the same look I had in the Army.”
Hill Street Blues ran from 1981 to 1987. According to IMDb, the show follows the lives and work of the staff of an inner-city police precinct. Starring in the show with Sikking were Daniel J. Travanti, Michael Warren, and Bruce Weitz.
Sikking earned a total of 21 Emmy nominations and eight wins for his role on the show. After the show ended in 1987, he headed to Doogie Howser, M.D., in which he starred with Neil Patrick Harris, Max Casella, and Belinda Montgomery.