John Hillerman
Cast of Magnum, P.I. with Hillerman at right.
Birth name	John Benedict Hillerman
Born	December 20 1932(1932--) Denison, Texas, U.S.
Awards Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series 1987 Magnum, P.I.

John Benedict Hillerman (born December 20, 1932) is an Emmy Award and Golden Globe winning American character actor.

Biography

Early life

Hillerman was born in Denison, Texas to Lenora Joan Medlinger and Christopher Ben Hillerman,^[1][2] a gas station owner. He 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.

Career

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). His other films include Lucky Lady (1975), and made a small appearance in the comedy film Up the Creek (1984).

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). The English 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.

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.

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.

Awards

• Hillerman was nominated for Golden Globe Awards for Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV in 1982, 1983, 1985, 1987 and 1988 for his role in Magnum, P.I. He won the award in 1982.
• Hillerman was nominated for Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 1984, 1985, 1986 and 1987 for his role in Magnum, P.I. He won the award in 1987.

References

External links

• John Hillerman at the Internet Movie Database

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