John Hillerman, who played stuffed-shirt Higgins to Tom Selleck’s freewheeling detective Thomas Magnum in the 1980s TV series Magnum, P.I. has died at the age of 84.
Hillerman, who had been in declining health, died Thursday at his home in Houston, Texas, his nephew Chris Tritico told media.
Hillerman’s nephew remembered his uncle fondly, saying: ‘He had an outstanding sense of humor and was one of the most well-read people I ever met. You couldn’t play Scrabble with him.’
Farewell: John Hillerman, who played uptight Higgins in the 1980s TV series Magnum, P.I., passed away at the age of 84 Thursday. Above he’s seen with Magnum PI costar Tom Selleck
The cause of death was not immediately known.
Besides playing manager of the Hawaiian estate that Magnum used as home base, Hillerman was known for his 1970s roles as arrogant radio show detective Simon Brimmer on the Ellery Queen series and the difficult boss on the sitcom One Day at a Time.
When Hillerman decided to retire about 17 years ago, the actor born in Denison, Texas, returned to his native state and was content leaving Hollywood behind, said his nephew.
Greener pastures: The Texas native, who was said to be in declinging health, passed away at his Houston home
Rest in Peace: Hillerman, who played manager of the Hawaiian estate that Magnum used as home base, died Thursday at his home in Houston, Texas, his nephew Chris Tritico told media
As for that quasi-British accent that Hillerman used on Magnum and elsewhere, his nephew said that was honed during several decades of playing varied roles on the New York stage before he turned to TV and movies.
Hillerman used something closer to his own voice in Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles, playing Howard Johnson, one of the comic Western’s many Johnsons.
He appeared in a number of TV series, including Valerie, The Love Boat and The Betty White Show and in films including The Last Picture Show and High Plains Drifter.
Hillerman was known for his 1970s roles as radio show detective Simon Brimmer on the Ellery Queen series and his part on The Betty White Show, seen above with the starlet above in 1985
Man of many voices: Hillerman’s nephew said that the actor honed his British accent during several decades on the New York stage, but the star used something closer to his own voice in Mel Brooks’ Blazing Saddles
His last credits included 1996’s A Very Brady Sequel and an early ’90s appearance on Murder, She Wrote.
The role of Higgins was his favorite, Tritico said, explaining that the character was ‘the reason’ his uncle ‘didn’t take another big role is he refused to take a sitcom after Magnum.’
‘He wanted to continue doing the serious work that he felt Magnum was,’ said Hillerman’s nephew.
Hillerman’s survivors include a sister, Jo Ann Tritico, and seven nieces and nephews including Chris Tritico, a Houston attorney.
At his request no services will be held.
Well loved: Hillerman’s survivors include a sister, Jo Ann Tritico, and seven nieces and nephews including Chris Tritico, a Houston attorney