John Hillerman

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John Hillerman

Cast of Magnum, P.I. with Hillerman at right.
Birth name John Benedict Hillerman
Born December 20, 1932
Denison, Texas, USA
Notable roles Jonathan Higgins in Magnum, P.I.
Emmy Awards
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series
1987
Magnum, P.I.

John Benedict Hillerman (born December 20, 1932 in Denison, Texas) is an American character actor.

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Hillerman attended St. Xavier's Academy. After graduation, he attended the University of Texas at Austin for three years where he majored in journalism. In 1953, he joined the United States Air Force, serving for four years and achieving the rank of Sergeant. During his years of military service, he worked with various theatrical groups, and upon his discharge he moved to New York City to study at the American Theatre Wing. In 1957, he began his career in professional theater as the resident juvenile at Chatauqua Playhouse in Middleton, Ohio.

Hillerman appeared on Broadway in 1959 and worked in live performances in a variety of venues before making his motion picture debut in 1970. He had minor roles in such noteworthy films as The Last Picture Show (1971), High Plains Drifter (1973), Paper Moon (1973), Blazing Saddles (1974), and Chinatown (1974).

In 1975, he was a co-star in Ellery Queen as Simon Brimmer, a radio detective that hosted a live radio show and tried to outsmart Ellery Queen (Jim Hutton). From 1976 to 1980, he had a recurring role as Mr. Conners on the popular television series One Day at a Time, and he co-starred as Betty White's ex-husband on the short-lived The Betty White Show in 1977. He is probably best remembered for his role as former British Army Sergeant Major Jonathan Quayle Higgins III ("Higgins") on the popular television series Magnum, P.I. (1980-1988).

In 1984, he hosted the David Hemmings-directed puzzle video Money Hunt: The Mystery of the Missing Link. In 1990, Hillerman returned to television to perform for one season as Lloyd Hogan in the series, The Hogan Family.

  • The British accent that Hillerman used as Jonathan Higgins in Magnum P.I. and in other roles is not natural. Hailing from Texas, Hillerman had to learn this accent, and over the years has fooled many fans and colleagues.
  • Hillerman portrayed the character of Jonathan Higgins on four separate television programs.

Hillerman retired in 2000 and is now residing in his home state of Texas. Reports of his death were confused in 1996 with the death of another John Hillerman.

Persondata
NAME Hillerman, John
ALTERNATIVE NAMES
SHORT DESCRIPTION actor
DATE OF BIRTH December 20, 1932
PLACE OF BIRTH Denison, Texas, United States of America
DATE OF DEATH
PLACE OF DEATH
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