Godspeed James Sikking

James Sikking, who played Lt. Howard Hunter on the classic television show Hill Street Blues, died on July 13 2024 at the age of 90. The cause was complications from dementia.

James Sikking was born on March 5 1934 in Los Angeles. He attended El Segundo High School and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. He attended UCLA, where he earned a degree in theatre. He made his movie debut in an uncredited bit part in the movie Five Guns West in 1955.

In the Sixties he guest starred on the shows Assignment: Underwater; Perry Mason; General Hospital; Combat; Rawhide; The Outer Limits; The Loner; The F.B.I.; O.K. Crackerby!; The Long, Hot Summer; The Virginian; Honey West; My Favorite Martian; My Mother the Car; The Fugitive; 12 O' Clock High; Run for Your Life; The Invaders; Gomer Pyle, U.S.M.C.; Bonanza; Adam-12; The Survivors; Here Come the Brides; The Young Lawyers; Love, American Style; and Hogan's Heroes. The Strangler (1964), The Carpetbaggers (1964), Von Ryan's Express (1965), In Like Flint (1967), Point Blank (1967), Charro! (1969), and Daddy's Gone A-Hunting (1969).

In the Seventies James Sikking had a recurring role on the short-lived sitcom Turnabout. He guest starred on the shows The Bold Ones: The New Doctors; The Immortal; The Name of the Game; Night Gallery; Cade's County; Ironside; Longstreet; Mission: Impossible; The Bob Newhart Show; Banyon; The Doris Day Show; M*A*S*H; The Streets of San Francisco; The Mod Squad; Search; The Rookies; Mannix; Room 222; The F.B.I.; Cannon; Ellery Queen; Rich Man, Poor Man-Book II; Police Story; Little House on the Prairie; Delvecchio; Eight is Enough; The Feather and Father Gang; Man From Atlantis; Rafferty; Starsky & Hutch; The Bionic Woman; The Incredible Hulk; Operation  Petticoat; The Rockford Files; Lucan; Hawaii Five-O; Charlie's Angels; The Misadventures of Sheriff Lobo; and Paris. He appeared in the movies Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971), The Night God Screamed (1971), The Magnificent Seven Ride! (1972), The New Centurions (1972), Scorpio (1973), Brother on the Run (1973), Capricorn One (1977), The Electric Horseman (1979), Ordinary People (1980),  and The Competition (1980).

In 1981 James Sikking began his stint as Lt. Howard Hunter on Hill Street Blues. He began his stint as Dr. David Howser, the father of the title character, on Doogie Howser M.D.In the Eighties he guest starred on L.A. Law, Who's the Boss?, CBS Summer Playhouse, Hunter, and Cop Rock.  Mr. Sikking appeared in the mini-series Dress Gray, Brotherhood of the Rose, and Around the World in 80 Days.  He appeared in the movies Outland (1981), The Star Chamber (1983), Up the Creek (1984), Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984), Morons from Outer Space (1985), Soul Man (1986), and Narrow Magin (1990).

In the Nineties James Sikking continued to appear on Doogie Houser, M.D. He was a regular on Brooklyn South. He was the voice of General Gordon in the show Invasion America. He was a guest voice on the animated shows Duckman: Private Dick, Aaahh!!!  Real Monsters, Batman Beyond, and Rocket Power He appeared in the movies Final Approach (1991), The Pelican Brief (1993), and Dead Badge (1995).

In the Naughts he guest starred on the show Curb Your Enthusiasm. He appeared in the movies Fever Pitch (2004), Made of Honor (2008), and American Primitive (2009). In the Teens he guest starred on The Closer. He appeared in the movie Just an American (2012).

Chances are good that James Sikking will always be best remembered as Lt. Howard Hunter (who started the show as a sergeant), the at times politically incorrect police officer who thought civilization was in decline and tends to favour militaristic solutions, but none the less has a strong streak of compassion. He will also probably be remembered well as Dr. David Howser, Doogie Howser's level-headed, compassionate father. During his career James Sikking played a wide variety of characters. In Star Trek III: The Search for Spock he played the stuffy, arrogant commander of the Excelsior, Captain Styles. In Point Blank he played a mocking hired gun. In The Pelican Brief he payed F.B.I. director F. Denton Voyles, who investigates the Pelican Brief because it could possibly hurt the President. Throughout his career, James Sikking played many different roles and played all of them well.