James Sikking obit

James B. Sikking Dies: ‘Hill Street Blues’, ‘Doogie Howser, M.D.’ Actor Was 90

 

He was not on the list.

James B. Sikking, the actor known for his roles on shows like Hill Street Blues and Doogie Howser, M.D., has died. He was 90.

Sikking died of dementia Saturday at his Los Angeles home, where his publicist Cynthia Snyder tells Deadline that the actor was surrounded by family in his final moments.

“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,” said Snyder in a statement, adding: “His talent, integrity and imagination intrigued and delighted audiences.”

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.

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).

Sikking also appeared onstage in such plays as Exit Strategy, The Big Knife, Put Them All Together, Nobody Loves an Albatross and a tour of Neil Simon‘s Plaza Suite.

Born March 5, 1934 in Los Angeles, Sikking was named after author James Barrie. “It seemed a perfect choice,” said Snyder. “There is a bit of Peter Pan in James… his sense of imagination appeared whether playing roles on stage or screen.”

He studied theater at UCLA, where he met wife Florine Caplan, while also serving in the military.

Sikking is survived by wife Florine; son Andrew; daughter Dr. Emily Sikking; and four grandchildren.

 

Filmography

Film

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

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"

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

2000    Rocket Power  Vice Principal Healy (voice)  2 episodes

2001            Submerged       Cyrus Cole            Television film

2012    The Closer  Edward Crosby            Episode: "Hostile Witness"