The actor, who began his career in the mid-1950s, also made guest appearances on Bonanza, General Hospital, M*A*S*H, and more
James B. Sikking, known for his notable leading roles in Hill Street Blues and Doogie Howser, MDdied at the age of 90. The actor's death was caused by complications related to dementia, according to his publicist Cynthia Snyder (via Variety). He died at his home in Los Angeles on Saturday, July 13.
Sikking's career began in the mid-1950s when he made his acting debut as a sergeant in the film Five Guns West. Over the next three decades, the actor would land roles in popular series such as General Hospital, M*A*S*H, Hawaii Five-O, Little House on the Prairie, Bonanza, and more before landing the role of Lt. Howard Hunter Hill Street Blues.
The primetime crime drama premiered on NBC in 1981 and ran for nearly 150 episodes through 1987. The series was created by Steven Bochco, who would later team up with Sikking again on the medical sitcom Doogie Howser, MD. The ABC series premiered in 1989 and ran for 97 episodes, concluding in 1993. Sicking starred as David Houser alongside a young Neil Patrick Harris, who played his son.
“Our family first met James Sikking at an ABC reunion in 1990 while he was starring in Doogie Howser, MD alongside [Neil Patrick Harris],” shared veteran broadcaster Ray Cole social media during the weekend. “Later we had the pleasure of hosting him during a visit to Iowa. A favorite of producer Steven Bochco, James was a talented actor … and a wonderful person.”
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