Sad to have been informed of James passing.
He played the buffoonish right wing Lieutenant Hunter in Hill Street Blues.
Currently working my way through this and initially viewed his character as ridiculous. But the further it's gone on the more I've come to appreciate his funny portrayal by James.
A sad loss. RIP.
I remember him in "Doogie Howser, M.D." and the movie "Soul Man". May he rest in peace 😢
shareRIP, I remember him always for Hill Street Blues.
shareAlso sad to learn of his passing yesterday. His Lt. Hunter character is a highlight of Hill Street Blues and I also knew him as Captain Styles of the USS Excelsior in Star Trek III where he was very much the same character.
RIP.
... and I also knew him as Captain Styles of the USS Excelsior in Star Trek III where he was very much the same character.
I'm in my mid-40s now and grew up in the '80s aware that my parents loved Hill Street Blues. I started watching it a few years ago to see what my parents saw in it and really fell in love with it. What a wonderful ensemble show it is with realistic, complex, interwoven characters and stories.
Sikking was a great part of it and provided so many hilarious scenes in a seemingly dramatic environment.
Similar thing with me, except with my grandparents. Quite often I'd stay with them on a Saturday night, presumably as my folks were off on a night out (!) and my granddad would always have it on.
I was too young to take it in but the amazing theme tune always stuck with me.
Years later now, I'm watching this and was getting weird fleeting remembrance of some of the characters when I started, e.g. Furillo's ex-wife and Phil but not all of them...
Anyway, agreed - It's a wonderful show. I'm only maybe half way through season two but this show has literally had me in tears on multiple occasions already!
I originally thought Howard was a bizarrely out of place character in this but Sikking plays him really well and is a great counterpoint to the levity of some of the drama...
Gave a great performance as the father of the abused and murdered little boy in The Star Chamber. RIP James Sikking.
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Sean Connory's Deputy in Outland, I'm reminded of him in that.
RIP James.
Deckard B26354, I'm filed and monitored, and I retire Wokies.