Magnum, P.I.’ actor John Hillerman dies at 84 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

MikeLutton · 11-09-2017, 07:12 PM

http://pix11.com/2017/11/09/magnum-p...an-dies-at-84/

LOS ANGELES — A spokeswoman for the family of actor John Hillerman says the co-star of TV’s “Magnum, P.I.” has died. Hillerman was 84.

Spokeswoman Lori De Waal said Hillerman died Thursday at his home in Houston. She said the cause of death has yet to be determined.

Hillerman played stuffy Jonathan Higgins to Tom Selleck’s free-wheeling private detective Thomas Magnum in the hit 1980s series set in Hawaii.

Hillerman also was known for his 1970s roles as arrogant radio show detective Simon Brimmer on the “Ellery Queen” series, and as a difficult boss on “One Day at a Time.”

Hillerman appeared in a number of other series, including “Valerie,” ”The Love Boat” and “The Betty White Show.” His film credits include “The Last Picture Show” and “High Plains Drifter.

Zoneboy · 11-09-2017, 07:26 PM

The Texan played the stuffy (but lovable) character on the Tom Selleck starrer, winning an Emmy in 1987, and appeared in 'Chinatown' and 'Blazing Saddles.'

Link

John Hillerman, the actor who made a career out of playing snooty types, including Tom Selleck's fastidious estate caretaker Jonathan Quayle Higgins III on Magnum, P.I., died Thursday. He was 84.

Hillerman, who received four Emmy nominations in consecutive years for portraying Higgins and won in 1987, died at his home in Houston, family spokeswoman Lori De Waal told the Associated Press. She said the cause of death had not been determined.

His Higgins character was a natural extension of a part he played on the TV detective show Ellery Queen: Simon Brimmer, a radio personality and affected gent who fancied himself a savvy sleuth. Ironically, Hillerman, who often played condescending characters with more than a touch of the Tory Brit — the Mayfair accent — was a Texan from a tiny railroad town, the son of a gas station owner.

Hillerman also appeared as Higgins on episodes of Murder, She Wrote and Simon & Simon.

He also was recognized for his character on the 1977-78 sitcom The Betty White Show, in which he played the star's director and former spouse; as Sandy Duncan's father on Valerie's Family: The Hogans; and as Bonnie Franklin's crusty boss Mr. Connors at a PR firm on One Day at a Time.

Hillerman received his first onscreen credit in 1971 at the relatively advanced age of 39 off a part in the 1971 Western Lawman. Also that year, he had a small role as a teacher in Peter Bogdanovich's The Last Picture Show.

Later, he appeared for the director in What's Up, Doc? (1972), Paper Moon (1973) and At Long Last Love (1975).

Hillerman had roles in many top films, including such hits as Mel Brooks' Blazing Saddles (1974), where he played a chap named Howard Johnson, and Roman Polanski's noir classic Chinatown (1974), as Russ Yelburton, deputy chief of the water department.

Hillerman also performed in High Plains Drifter (1973), Lucky Lady (1975), Audrey Rose (1977) and another Brooks' film, History of the World: Part I (1981) and A Very Brady Sequel (1996).

John Benedict Hillerman was born Dec. 20, 1932, in Denison, Texas. He attended the University of Texas at Austin for three years before serving four years in the Air Force. During his tour of duty, he worked with theatrical groups. Upon his discharge, he moved to New York City to study at the American Theatre Wing.

He landed his first professional theatrical role in Middleton, Ohio, and went on to appear in productions at The Cincinnati Playhouse; it was there that he honed his British accent and natty style.

Mr. Television · 11-09-2017, 07:50 PM

He was a very good actor and will be missed. R.I.P. Mr. Hillerman.

ponytail · 11-10-2017, 06:04 AM

I'm so sad to hear of Mr. Hillerman's passing. Higgins and Magnum were the perfect odd couple. I will miss you Higgy baby.

Amanda Hugnkiss · 11-10-2017, 09:54 AM

Was he at least the one who played Robin Masters on that show? I always hated the way they never let viewers see him.
Take care and God bless

Edison · 11-10-2017, 12:19 PM

Observe his name in the opening credits of anything, you know that the show is going to be special.

Marvo301 · 11-10-2017, 03:35 PM

John Hillerman

king of comedy · 11-10-2017, 05:48 PM

R.I.P. John

Penny Lane · 11-11-2017, 02:43 PM

I loved his Higgins character. Grumpy comes to mind.

He played that British character so well that I was surprised to learn that he was born in Texas!

Anyway so sad to hear of his passing. RIP Higgy Baby.

Here he is with "The Lads"

AB · 11-11-2017, 04:13 PM

Rest in peace.

JamesG · 11-15-2017, 02:30 PM

Tom Selleck Pays Tribute to "Magnum P.I." Co-Star: "John Hillerman's Accent Even Fooled the Brits"
by Tom Selleck, as told to Andy Lewis
Nov. 15, 2017

My image of John between shots was sitting in a director's chair with a cigarette in a long cigarette holder, drinking a Fresca. He always had a Fresca, but he did it all so elegantly. (laughs)

He was a regular guy, but John — or as we'd call him sometimes, the Great Hildini — had a grand side. His idea of a great day was staying in bed, eating caviar and reading a good book. Going out to dinner was an event. I'm proud to say that for eight years, we all could go to dinner and enjoy one another's company. He was a linguine and clams guy at Nick's Fish Market.

As Higgins, he could make people laugh as well as cry — many times in the same scene. That takes a skill that is not often understood.

The other thing: My wife's from England. I would go around London in a cab, and they'd ask, "Where's the Brit, John Hillerman, from on your show?" and I'd tell them he was from Denison, Texas.

The Brits are always good at spotting funny British accents in shows, and they all thought John was British.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...-brits-1057950

king of comedy · 11-15-2017, 06:19 PM

A very touching tribute.

TMC · 12-06-2017, 09:35 PM

Tom Selleck's Emmy-winning "Magnum, P.I." co-star, John Hillerman, died from heart disease.

http://www.tmz.com/2017/12/06/john-h...heart-disease/

TMC · 08-18-2020, 10:16 PM

His last acting credit was in 1996. Why did he retire in his early 60s? Apparently, during his last 10 years or so he had very limited mobility. At the link, there's a photo of him from 2010 rocking his new mobility scooter, and he must have needed it all the time because he also drove a specially modified handicap van.

Amanda Hugnkiss · 08-18-2020, 10:50 PM

I'm just commenting because I don't want notifications for the thread. Rest in peace John Hillerman.

11-09-2017, 07:12 PM	#1
MikeLutton Mike Lutton DVD Legend! Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 05, 2005 Location: usa pennsyvania Posts: 6,873	Magnum, P.I.’ actor John Hillerman dies at 84 http://pix11.com/2017/11/09/magnum-p...an-dies-at-84/ LOS ANGELES — A spokeswoman for the family of actor John Hillerman says the co-star of TV’s “Magnum, P.I.” has died. Hillerman was 84. Spokeswoman Lori De Waal said Hillerman died Thursday at his home in Houston. She said the cause of death has yet to be determined. Hillerman played stuffy Jonathan Higgins to Tom Selleck’s free-wheeling private detective Thomas Magnum in the hit 1980s series set in Hawaii. Hillerman also was known for his 1970s roles as arrogant radio show detective Simon Brimmer on the “Ellery Queen” series, and as a difficult boss on “One Day at a Time.” Hillerman appeared in a number of other series, including “Valerie,” ”The Love Boat” and “The Betty White Show.” His film credits include “The Last Picture Show” and “High Plains Drifter.
	__________________ Tv And DVD Addict got over a hundred dvds in my collection more than anyone in the neighborhood. also huge Animal lover family man

11-09-2017, 07:26 PM	#2
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,346	John Hillerman (1932-2017) The Texan played the stuffy (but lovable) character on the Tom Selleck starrer, winning an Emmy in 1987, and appeared in 'Chinatown' and 'Blazing Saddles.' Link John Hillerman, the actor who made a career out of playing snooty types, including Tom Selleck's fastidious estate caretaker Jonathan Quayle Higgins III on Magnum, P.I., died Thursday. He was 84. Hillerman, who received four Emmy nominations in consecutive years for portraying Higgins and won in 1987, died at his home in Houston, family spokeswoman Lori De Waal told the Associated Press. She said the cause of death had not been determined. His Higgins character was a natural extension of a part he played on the TV detective show Ellery Queen: Simon Brimmer, a radio personality and affected gent who fancied himself a savvy sleuth. Ironically, Hillerman, who often played condescending characters with more than a touch of the Tory Brit — the Mayfair accent — was a Texan from a tiny railroad town, the son of a gas station owner. Hillerman also appeared as Higgins on episodes of Murder, She Wrote and Simon & Simon. He also was recognized for his character on the 1977-78 sitcom The Betty White Show, in which he played the star's director and former spouse; as Sandy Duncan's father on Valerie's Family: The Hogans; and as Bonnie Franklin's crusty boss Mr. Connors at a PR firm on One Day at a Time. Hillerman received his first onscreen credit in 1971 at the relatively advanced age of 39 off a part in the 1971 Western Lawman. Also that year, he had a small role as a teacher in Peter Bogdanovich's The Last Picture Show. Later, he appeared for the director in What's Up, Doc? (1972), Paper Moon (1973) and At Long Last Love (1975). Hillerman had roles in many top films, including such hits as Mel Brooks' Blazing Saddles (1974), where he played a chap named Howard Johnson, and Roman Polanski's noir classic Chinatown (1974), as Russ Yelburton, deputy chief of the water department. Hillerman also performed in High Plains Drifter (1973), Lucky Lady (1975), Audrey Rose (1977) and another Brooks' film, History of the World: Part I (1981) and A Very Brady Sequel (1996). John Benedict Hillerman was born Dec. 20, 1932, in Denison, Texas. He attended the University of Texas at Austin for three years before serving four years in the Air Force. During his tour of duty, he worked with theatrical groups. Upon his discharge, he moved to New York City to study at the American Theatre Wing. He landed his first professional theatrical role in Middleton, Ohio, and went on to appear in productions at The Cincinnati Playhouse; it was there that he honed his British accent and natty style.

11-09-2017, 07:50 PM	#3
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,128	He was a very good actor and will be missed. R.I.P. Mr. Hillerman.
	__________________ Sonny

11-10-2017, 12:19 PM	#6
Edison Member Senior Member Join Date: Oct 01, 2006 Posts: 2,430	Observe his name in the opening credits of anything, you know that the show is going to be special. Attached Images

11-10-2017, 03:35 PM	#7
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,452	John Hillerman
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

11-10-2017, 06:04 AM	#4
ponytail Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 20, 2004 Location: In Happy, Healthy, Wealthyville Posts: 4,273	I'm so sad to hear of Mr. Hillerman's passing. Higgins and Magnum were the perfect odd couple. I will miss you Higgy baby.

11-10-2017, 09:54 AM	#5
Amanda Hugnkiss Member Forum Regular Join Date: May 02, 2017 Location: Florida Posts: 861	Was he at least the one who played Robin Masters on that show? I always hated the way they never let viewers see him. Take care and God bless

11-10-2017, 05:48 PM	#8
king of comedy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 31, 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,140	R.I.P. John

11-11-2017, 02:43 PM	#9
Penny Lane Butter Pie Forum Icon Join Date: Jul 03, 2001 Location: Beneath the blue suburban skies Posts: 50,994	I loved his Higgins character. Grumpy comes to mind. He played that British character so well that I was surprised to learn that he was born in Texas! Anyway so sad to hear of his passing. RIP Higgy Baby. Here he is with "The Lads" Attached Images
	__________________ Vulgarity is no substitute for wit- Lady Violet Crawley

11-11-2017, 04:13 PM	#10
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,429	Rest in peace.

11-15-2017, 02:30 PM	#11
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,008	*Tom Selleck Pays Tribute to "Magnum P.I." Co-Star: "John Hillerman's Accent Even Fooled the Brits"* by Tom Selleck, as told to Andy Lewis Nov. 15, 2017 My image of John between shots was sitting in a director's chair with a cigarette in a long cigarette holder, drinking a Fresca. He always had a Fresca, but he did it all so elegantly. (laughs) He was a regular guy, but John — or as we'd call him sometimes, the Great Hildini — had a grand side. His idea of a great day was staying in bed, eating caviar and reading a good book. Going out to dinner was an event. I'm proud to say that for eight years, we all could go to dinner and enjoy one another's company. He was a linguine and clams guy at Nick's Fish Market. As Higgins, he could make people laugh as well as cry — many times in the same scene. That takes a skill that is not often understood. The other thing: My wife's from England. I would go around London in a cab, and they'd ask, "Where's the Brit, John Hillerman, from on your show?" and I'd tell them he was from Denison, Texas. The Brits are always good at spotting funny British accents in shows, and they all thought John was British. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...-brits-1057950

11-15-2017, 06:19 PM	#12
king of comedy Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Aug 31, 2012 Location: New Jersey Posts: 5,140	A very touching tribute.

12-06-2017, 09:35 PM	#13
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 125,036	Tom Selleck's Emmy-winning "Magnum, P.I." co-star, John Hillerman, died from heart disease. http://www.tmz.com/2017/12/06/john-h...heart-disease/

08-18-2020, 10:16 PM	#14
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 125,036	His last acting credit was in 1996. Why did he retire in his early 60s? Apparently, during his last 10 years or so he had very limited mobility. At the link, there's a photo of him from 2010 rocking his new mobility scooter, and he must have needed it all the time because he also drove a specially modified handicap van.

08-18-2020, 10:50 PM	#15
Amanda Hugnkiss Member Forum Regular Join Date: May 02, 2017 Location: Florida Posts: 861	I'm just commenting because I don't want notifications for the thread. Rest in peace John Hillerman.