James B. Sikking, a renowned actor celebrated for his portrayal of Lt. Howard Hunter in the iconic "Hill Street Blues" and the fatherly figure in "Doogie Howser, M.D.," has sadly passed away. He reached the age of 90 in his final journey. According to his publicist, Cynthia Snyder, Sikking succumbed to the complications of dementia on Saturday, leaving behind a legacy of captivating performances.
"With an illustrious career spanning six decades, Sikking's face was a canvas that depicted drama, comedy, tragedy, and outlandish farce with unwavering excellence," Snyder reminisced in a statement to Variety. "His contributions to television, film, and the stage remain unforgettable."
Sikking's portrayal of Howard Hunter in the groundbreaking police procedural "Hill Street Blues," which aired on NBC from 1981 to 1987, remains a testament to his acting prowess. His clean-cut appearance and pipe-smoking lieutenant garnered him an Emmy nomination in 1984, further solidifying his status as a legendary performer.
After his iconic role in "Hill Street Blues," Sikking stepped into the shoes of Dr. David Howser, the fatherly figure to the beloved Doogie Howser, portrayed by Neil Patrick Harris, in the ABC medical sitcom spanning all four seasons from 1989 to 1993. His legacy in police roles was further cemented when he reprised the role for Steven Bochco, the co-creator of both "Hill Street Blues" and "Doogie Howser, M.D.," in the fleeting CBS series "Brooklyn South" (1997-98).
In the early stages of his illustrious career, Sikking graced the screens of numerous television series, including "Perry Mason," "General Hospital," "The Outer Limits," "The Fugitive," "Rawhide," "Bonanza," "Ironside," "Starsky & Hutch," and "The Rockford Files," before securing a permanent spot in the hearts of audiences as a series regular in "Hill Street Blues." In 2004, he briefly resurfaced in two episodes of HBO's "Curb Your Enthusiasm."
On the silver screen, Sikking left an indelible mark as Captain Styles in the sci-fi adventure "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock" (1984), helmed by and starring Leonard Nimoy, and as the FBI director in the legal thriller "The Pelican Brief" (1993), directed by Alan J. Pakula. His extensive filmography boasts credits in "Point Blank," "Made of Honor," "Fever Pitch," "Charro!," "Final Approach," "Ordinary People," "Terminal Man," and "Von Ryan's Express," while collaborating on four projects with renowned director Peter Hyams: "Capricorn One," "Outland," "The Star Chamber," and "Narrow Margin."
Born on March 5, 1934, in Los Angeles, James Barrie Sikking, the youngest of five siblings and named in honor of the "Peter Pan" author, was the son of Andy and Sue Sikking. He graduated from UCLA in 1959 with a degree in theater arts, where he met Florine Caplan, his wife for over six decades. Sikking leaves behind a loving wife, his son Andrew (with Paula), daughter Dr. Emily Sikking (married to Mallory "Chip" Milam), and four cherished grandchildren: Lola, Gemma, Hugh, and Madeline "Maddie" Milam.
