John Hillerman Biography

Fast Facts

• Served in the United States Air Force for four years during the Korean War, earning the rank of Sergeant
• Graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Journalism and studied acting at the American Theatre Wing
• Discovered his love for acting while serving in the military and got his start in professional theater at the Chautauqua Playhouse in Middleton, Ohio in 1957
• Quote: "(On his "Magnum, P․I․ character): "Higgins is a man I'd love to know․ I love playing Higgins - it's truly the best part I've ever had․""
• Quote: "(On working with Tom Selleck): "There's a very special rapport between us․ It starts off-camera - we just like each other very much․ We crack each other up sometimes when the camera is running, and we can't stop laughing in all the wrong places․""
• Best known for his role as Higgins in "Magnum, P․I․" and as Howard Johnson in "Blazing Saddles․"
• First appeared on Broadway in 1959 and later in his first Hollywood film, "They Call Me Mister Tibbs!," in 1970
• A native of Texas, he studied the works of Laurence Olivier while perfecting his British accent for "Magnum, P․I․"