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James B. Sikking

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James B. Sikking
Sikking at The Athenaeum Hotel in London, England
Born
James Barrie Sikking

(1934-03-05)March 5, 1934
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
DiedJuly 13, 2024(2024-07-13) (aged 90)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
OccupationActor
Years active1954–2012
SpouseFlorine Sikking
Children3

James Barrie Sikking (March 5, 1934 – July 13, 2024) was an American actor, best known for his roles as Lt. Howard Hunter on the 1980s television series Hill Street Blues and David Howser on Doogie Howser, M.D.[1][2]

Early years

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James Barrie Sikking was born in Los Angeles on March 5, 1934,[3] to Arthur and Sue (née Paxton) Sikking. His mother co-founded Santa Monica, California's Unity-by-the-Sea Church. He graduated from University of California, Los Angeles in 1959.[4]

While in college during the Korean War, Sikking served in the U.S. Army.[5] He stated he based his approach to his Hill Street Blues character on one of his drill sergeants from basic training at Fort Bragg.[6]

Career

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From 1971–76, Sikking played Jim Hobart, an alcoholic surgeon, on the ABC soap opera General Hospital. He portrayed Geoffrey St. James on the NBC comedy series Turnabout[7]: 1113  and voiced General Gordon in Invasion America. He was sometimes credited as "James Sikking" or "Jim Sikking" in some of his earlier roles on film and television.[citation needed]

Sikking appeared as Lieutenant (later demoted to Sergeant) Howard Hunter on the TV series Hill Street Blues from 1981 to 1987. In 1984, Sikking's performance earned him his first Emmy nomination. Sikking starred on the ABC television series Doogie Howser, M.D. as Dr. David Howser,[7]: 278  father of the title character. On the 1997 drama series Brooklyn South he portrayed Captain Stan Jonas, for which he won a People's Choice Award in 1998.[7]

Sikking's film career started in 1955. His film work includes The Competition, Outland, Up the Creek, Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Narrow Margin, and Point Blank.

Sikking starred in the 1992 television movie Doing Time on Maple Drive. He made guest appearances on many television series, including Perry Mason, Rawhide, The Fugitive, Bonanza, The Outer Limits, General Hospital, The Incredible Hulk, Here Come the Brides, Mannix, The Rockford Files, The Bob Newhart Show, Hogan's Heroes, Rich Man, Poor Man Book II, Hunter, and Batman Beyond.[citation needed]

Personal life and death

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Sikking married his second wife, cookbook author Florine Sikking (née Caplan), in 1962.[6] They had two children and four grandchildren.[8]

Sikking was a philanthropist, and worked to raise funds for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation and the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Known affectionately "Jim the Reader" at Los Angeles public schools, he read to public school third-grade classes for almost 20 years through the Screen Actors Guild (SAG) Book Pals Program.[6]

Sikking died of complications from dementia at his home in Los Angeles, on July 13, 2024, at age 90.[8]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1955 Five Guns West Union Sergeant Uncredited
1964 The Strangler Police Sketch Artist
1964 The Carpetbaggers Reporter Uncredited
1965 Von Ryan's Express American Soldier Uncredited
1967 In Like Flint Secret Service Member Uncredited
1967 Point Blank Hired Gun
1969 Charro! Gunner
1969 Daddy's Gone A-Hunting Joe Menchell
1971 The Night God Screamed Deacon Paul
1971 Escape from the Planet of the Apes Control Room Officer Uncredited
1971 Chandler Bogardy Scenes deleted
1972 The Magnificent Seven Ride! Andy Hayes
1972 The New Centurions Sgt. Anders
1973 Scorpio Harris
1974 The Terminal Man Ralph Friedman
1978 Capricorn One Control Room Man
1979 The Electric Horseman Dietrich
1980 Ordinary People Ray
1980 The Competition Brudenell
1981 Outland Sergeant Montone
1983 The Star Chamber Harold Lewin
1984 Up the Creek Tozer
1984 Star Trek III: The Search for Spock Captain Styles
1985 Morons from Outer Space Raymond Laribee
1986 Soul Man Bill Watson
1990 Narrow Margin Nelson
1991 Final Approach Jason Halsey
1993 The Pelican Brief Denton Voyles
1994 Dead Badge Wheeler, Aaron Feld
1995 Whisper of the Heart Seiya Tsukishima (voice) English dub
2005 Fever Pitch Doug Meeks
2008 Made of Honor Reverend Foote
2012 Just an American Dr. Hanover

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1961 Perry Mason Bert Springer Episode: "The Case of the Misguided Missile"
1963 Combat! American POW Episode: "The Long Way Home"
1963–1964 The Outer Limits Botany, Orderly 2 episodes
1964–1966 The Fugitive Deputy Marsh, Bert, Leonard Taft 3 episodes
1967 The Invaders William Taft Episode: "Valley of the Shadow"
1967 Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C. Colonel Richardon Episode: "The Show Must Go On"
1967–1968 Bonanza Jack Rimbau, Kevin Maco 2 episodes
1968 Adam-12 Tex Episode: "Log 72: El Presidente"
1968–1969 Hogan's Heroes Private Berger, Gestapo Officer 2 episodes
1972 The Astronaut Higgins Television film
1972 Mission: Impossible Wilson Episode: "Committed"
1972 Family Flight Second Controller Television film
1972–1973 Room 222 Albert Kramer 2 episodes
1973 M*A*S*H Finance Officer Episode: "Tuttle"
1973 The President's Plane Is Missing Dunbar's Aide Television film
1974 Columbo Policeman Episode: "Publish or Perish"; uncredited
1976 Ellery Queen Mike Hewitt Episode: "The Adventure of Sinister Scenario"
1977 The Feather & Father Gang Bricklaw Episode: "Never Con a Killer"
1977 Little House on the Prairie Mr. Franklin Episode: "To Live with Fear"
1977–1978 Hawaii Five-O George Cameron, Oscar Ross 2 episodes
1978 A Woman Called Moses McCracken 2 episodes
1981–1987 Hill Street Blues Howard Hunter Main cast
1986 L.A. Law Party Guest Episode: "Pilot"; uncredited
1986 Dress Gray Clifford Bassett 2 episodes
1987 Police Story: The Freeway Killings Marit Cameron Television film
1988 Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of Bliss Television film
1989 Around the World in 80 Days Jenks 3 episodes
1989 The Final Days Elliot Richardson Television film
1989–1993 Doogie Howser, M.D. David Howser Main cast
1990 Cop Rock Howard Hunter Episode: "Cop-a-Felliac"; uncredited
1992 Doing Time on Maple Drive Phil Carter Television film
1995 In Pursuit of Honor Douglas MacArthur Television film
1995 Tyson Bill Clayton Television film
1997 Aaahh!!! Real Monsters Dr. Carson (voice) Episode: "Nuclear and Present Danger"[9]
1997–1998 Brooklyn South Captain Stan Jonas 22 episodes; series regular
1998 Invasion America General Gordon (voice) 13 episodes
1999–2000 Batman Beyond Harry Caulder, Foreman (voice) 2 episodes[9]
2000 Rocket Power Vice Principal Healy (voice) 2 episodes
2001 Submerged Cyrus Cole Television film
2004 Curb Your Enthusiasm Jim Remington Season 4, Episodes 5[10] and 6[11]
2012 The Closer Edward Crosby Episode: "Hostile Witness"

References

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  1. ^ Bentley, Rick (April 23, 2014). "James Sikking talks 'Hill Street Blues' on release of box set". The Fresno Bee. Archived from the original on November 19, 2014.
  2. ^ Berk, Dr. Nancy (May 8, 2014). "Showbiz Analysis with Hill Street Blues' James Sikking". Parade.
  3. ^ "James Sikking". Encyclopedia.com. Cengage. Retrieved March 6, 2022.
  4. ^ "Notable Alumni Actors". UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television. Archived from the original on October 6, 2014. Retrieved September 29, 2014.
  5. ^ Edel, Victoria; Heldman, Breanne L. (July 14, 2024). "James B. Sikking, Hill Street Blues and Doogie Howser, M.D. Actor, Dies at 90" People. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c Barnes, Mike (July 14, 2024). "James B. Sikking, Actor on 'Hill Street Blues' and 'Doogie Howser,' Dies at 90". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c Terrace, Vincent (2011). Encyclopedia of Television Shows, 1925 through 2010 (2nd ed.). Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland. pp. 139–140. ISBN 978-0-7864-6477-7.
  8. ^ a b Garner, Glenn (July 14, 2024). "James B. Sikking Dies: 'Hill Street Blues', 'Doogie Howser, M.D.' Actor Was 90". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 31, 2024.
  9. ^ a b "James B. Sikking (visual voices guide)". Behind The Voice Actors. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
  10. ^ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0551397/[bare URL]
  11. ^ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0551404/[bare URL]
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