James Sikking, the veteran actor best known for playing Lt. Howard Hunter on Hill Street Blues and Dr. David Howser on Doogie Howser, M.D., died July 13, 2024, at age 90. His publicist said he died from complications of dementia.
What James Sikking was best known for
Lt. Howard Hunter on Hill Street Blues
Sikking’s signature role was Lt. Howard Hunter, the tightly controlled, hard-edged police lieutenant on Hill Street Blues. The part brought him major recognition, including a 1984 Primetime Emmy nomination for supporting actor. The series won 26 Primetime Emmy Awards during its run, according to the Los Angeles Times.
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![Hill Street Blues: The Complete Series [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41IDOr9SPML._SL160_.jpg)
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Hill Street Blues: The Complete Series [DVD] | $55.74 | Buy on Amazon |
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![Hill Street Blues: The Complete Series [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51gNJgHrhNL._SL160_.jpg)
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Hill Street Blues: The Complete Series [DVD] | $59.97 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Hill Street Blues - Season 1 | $9.30 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Hill Street Blues - Season 2 | $11.19 | Buy on Amazon |
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Hill Street Blues: The Complete 2nd Season | $11.99 | Buy on Amazon |
Dr. David Howser on Doogie Howser, M.D.
After Hill Street Blues, Sikking played Dr. David Howser, father of the young physician at the center of Doogie Howser, M.D. The role offered a striking contrast to Hunter: a warmer, more reassuring father figure rather than a stern police commander. Those two performances became the clearest shorthand for the range of his television career.
A long career across television and film
Born in Los Angeles on March 5, 1934, Sikking graduated from UCLA in 1959. He built a career through television guest appearances, recurring roles and films. His screen work included Star Trek III: The Search for Spock, Ordinary People, The Pelican Brief, Fever Pitch and Made of Honor.
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- Complete TV series
The Washington Post’s Associated Press obituary described him as having nearly 160 screen credits. That is the obituary’s estimate, not a separately audited total. It reported that his last screen roles came in 2012. His publicist, Cynthia Snyder, told Entertainment Tonight: “His career spanned over six decades in television, film and on stage.”
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Sikking died July 13, 2024, at age 90. His publicist attributed his death to complications from dementia, as reported by CBS Los Angeles and the Washington Post.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #4
- Movie dvd
Rank #3
Rank #2
- Hill Street Blues - Complete Series
- Season - Complete Series Box Set, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7
- Genre - TV Shows
- Format - DVD
- Region Code - 1 (USA, Canada)
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