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.

Early years

James Barrie Sikking was born in Los Angeles on March 5, 1934, 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. While in college during the Korean War, Sikking served in the U.S. Army. He stated he based his approach to his Hill Street Blues character on one of his drill sergeants from basic training at Fort Bragg.

Career

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 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. 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, 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. 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.

Personal life and death

Sikking married his second wife, cookbook author Florine Sikking ( Caplan), in 1962. They had two children and four grandchildren. 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. Sikking died of complications from dementia at his home in Los Angeles, on July 13, 2024, at age 90.

Filmography

Film

Television