James Sikking

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 Dr. David Howser on Doogie Howser, M.D. His career spanned six decades.

Early life James Barrie Sikking was born in Los Angeles on March 5, 1934, to Arthur and Sue (née Paxton) Sikking. Sikking was the youngest of five children. His mother co-founded Santa Monica, California's Unity-by-the-Sea Church. He attended El Segundo High School. Sikking graduated from University of California, Los Angeles in 1959. During his time at UCLA, he worked at the Central Stage, the production program at UCLA and Los Angeles County lifeguard to pay for college. He was in The Strangler (1964), The Carpetbaggers (1964), Von Ryan's Express (1965), In Like Flint (1967), Point Blank (1967), the Elvis Presley film Charro! (1969), Brother on the Run (1973), Capricorn One (1978), and The Electric Horseman (1979). In the 1980s, he was in The Star Chamber (1983), Up the Creek (1984), Star Trek III: The Search for Spock (1984), and Soul Man (1986).

In the 1990s, Sikking was in the remake Narrow Margin (1990) of 1956's The Narrow Margin, Final Approach (1991), The Pelican Brief (1993), and Whisper of the Heart (1995). In the 2000s he was in Made of Honor (2008).

Television In the 1960s, Sikking was in a number of television series such as Assignment: Underwater, Rich Man, Poor Man Book II (1976) miniseries, and portrayed Geoffrey St. James on the NBC comedy series Turnabout.

Sikking appeared as Lieutenant (later demoted to Sergeant) Howard Hunter on the TV series Hill Street Blues from 1981 to 1987.

Filmography

Film YearTitleRoleDirectorNotesref 1955 Five Guns West Union Sergeant Roger Corman Western filmUncredited 1964 The Strangler Police Sketch Artist Burt Topper Psychological thriller film 1965–74 The F.B.I. Various 11 episodes 1984 The Jesse Owens Story Avery Brundage Made-for-TV movie directed by Richard Irving Battle of the Network Stars XVII Himself Aired December 20, 1984 1985 First Steps Jim Davis Made-for-TV movie biographical drama film directed by Sheldon Larry 1986 Dress Gray Major Clifford Bassett Miniseries – directed by Glenn Jordan L.A. Law Party Guest Episode: "Pilot"; uncredited 1987 Police Story: The Freeway Killings Mayor Cameron Made-for-TV movie directed by William A. Graham Who's the Boss? Cornelius Episode: "Mona" Bay Cove Nicholas Kline Made-for-TV movie directed by Carl Schenkel 1988 Ollie Hopnoodle's Haven of Bliss Old Man Made-for-TV movie directed by Dick Bartlett CBS Summer Playhouse Lindsey Episode: "Mad Avenue" Tales from the Hollywood Hills: Golden Land Ira Sternholt Made-for-TV movie directed by Gene Reynolds Too Good to Be True Russell Quinton Made-for-TV movie directed by Christian I. Nyby IIRemake of Leave Her to Heaven 1997–98 Brooklyn South Captain Stan Jonas Series regular; 20 episodes 1998 Invasion America General Gordon (voice) 13 episodes 1999 Mutiny Lt. Cmdr. Tynan Made-for-TV movie directed by Kevin Hooks 1999–2000 Batman Beyond Harry Caulder, Foreman (voice) 2 episodes 2000 Nowhere to Land George Eller Made-for-TV movie directed by Armand Mastroianni Rocket Power Vice Principal Healy (voice) 2 episodes 2001 Submerged Cyrus Cole Made-for-TV movie directed by James Keach 2000–01 The Guardian 2 episodes 2004 Curb Your Enthusiasm Jim Remington 2 episodes 2012 The Closer Edward Crosby Episode: "Hostile Witness"