John Hillerman
Birth Name:
John Benedict Hillerman
Birth Place:
Denison, Texas, United States
Profession
Actor, Soundtrack
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․"
Awards
- 1982Golden Globe - Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television:Winner
- 1983Golden Globe - Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television:Nominated
- 1984Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series:Nominated
- 1985Golden Globe - Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television:Nominated
- 1985Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series:Nominated
- 1986Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series:Nominated
- 1987Golden Globe - Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television:Nominated
- 1987Primetime Emmy - Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series:Winner
- 1988Golden Globe - Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television:Nominated