The John Hillerman Thread

[EZiller]

I can't give enough superlatives to John Hillerman for his portrayal of Higgins. Plus I'll give Bellasario credit for realizing what a superb actor he had in John Hillerman and the two of them really pushed pushed the envelope in exploring the unique character of JQ Higgins. He could have remained just a snobbish, arrogant and obnoxious autocrat but Hillerman made him a fascinating personality that beneath his rigid veneer truly had a heart. A very complex character and to make it believable, especially the Robin Masters subterfuge the last couple seasons, took a truly superb actor. More than any other actor in what was a consistently well acted show, he was stood above all. Selleck was terrific as Magnum, but Hillerman as Higgins elevated MPI above any detective or cop show.

[Kepania]

Thank you for giving us so many happy moments Mr Hillerman! I will continue watching Magnum P.I. and loving Higgie baby until the day I die...and hopefully beyond.

I've never met you and yet I know you, at least Higgins, so well. If I'm living in fantasy world, please don't ruin it with reality.

[suzyfan]

I can't give enough superlatives to John Hillerman for his portrayal of Higgins. Plus I'll give Bellasario credit for realizing what a superb actor he had in John Hillerman and the two of them really pushed pushed the envelope in exploring the unique character of JQ Higgins. He could have remained just a snobbish, arrogant and obnoxious autocrat but Hillerman made him a fascinating personality that beneath his rigid veneer truly had a heart. A very complex character and to make it believable, especially the Robin Masters subterfuge the last couple seasons, took a truly superb actor. More than any other actor in what was a consistently well acted show, he was stood above all. Selleck was terrific as Magnum, but Hillerman as Higgins elevated MPI above any detective or cop show.

Totally agree with all of the above.
I can't believe how much this sad news has affected me. JQH has been on my mind all day. I will be popping a DVD in the slot, this evening to enjoy one of his fine performances. I might even raise a glass to the great man.

RIP, John Hillerman.

John

[charybdis1966]

I thank John Hillerman for creating a character of such warmth and humanity that he made a TV show a source of great comfort and escape for me growing up in my troubled teenage years.
His comedy moments with TS would uplift my gloomy outlook for a brief time each week

For that I thank him and that we have his work in posterity to remember him by.

Thanks Higgy baby.

[Gordon Katsumoto]

Letter to a Fine Actor


Dear Mr. John Hillerman,

With each passing year, I (sorry, it will be a bit personal ) lose people, famous or not, who, knowingly or not, helped make the early years of my life so easy, fun, and memorable. And with each passing year, as I unfortunately get used to this, I feel less and less pain although I know deep down that with these people passing away, my childhood, my teenage years too slowly fade away.
For me, it really started when we lost James Stewart (no I'm not that old ), but The Man From Laramie is the first movie I ever saw... or so do I remember.
And ever since, it seems like an endless stream of people I like, love or care about going away. Such is the burden of life I suppose... And I consider myself lucky to have been surrounded so far with so little death and tragedy.

I have to be honest, news of your passing, Mr. Hillerman, didn't make me sad nor numb, knowing that you lived a good life and were probably happy with what you'd done with the opportunities you'd been given. 'Well, that's life,' I thought 'It had to happen some day.'
It's just one of these moments when I realize once more that nothing's eternal, nothing should be taken for granted.
And yet, it affects me; as usual I feel a certain emptiness, fond memories start to flow and I think about what you, as an actor, and mainly in the role of Johnathan Quayle Higgins III, meant to me.
I remember sneaking into the living room to watch reruns of older and newer shows like Mission: Impossible, The A-Team or, of course, Magnum P.I.. I don't know if my parents ever found out (I've never even thought of asking them, although they must have known after a while), but that's another story.
I remember believing for a long long time that you, John Hillerman, were the quintessential Brit just like your Higgins character and being shocked to learn that you were in fact a Texan. I remember always looking forward to your scenes, I remember laughing at Higgins antics and Magnum's shenanigans, I remember feeling empathy and sadness when Higgins was himself facing love disappointments or tragedies. More recently, upon viewing Chinatown,I remember thinking once again that you were indeed a fine actor.
And I remember that of all the ingredients that made the Magnum P.I. recipe so palatable, Higgins, the character you so marvelously portrayed, was the most important, because his chemistry with Magnum truly made the show. Without him (or you), Magnum P.I. would have been just another TV show. Your demeanor, mannerisms, screen presence made Higgins the perfect foil for Tom Selleck and up until today (and from now on til the day I die) I've savored your fine acting.

Mr. Hillerman, Sir, wherever you are now, I just want to tell you 'Thank you!'. Thank you for your craft, thank you for the countless happy moments you've provided me for so long and these countless happy moments in the future.
You're taking away a bit of my childhood memories, and it makes me a bit angry... angry because I realize that I'm getting older and there's nothing to stop that. Don't worry, I'll get over it.
I probably will be a wee bit misty-eyed the next time I see you on the screen, but I can assure you will never forget you.
And I hope that some day, I'll get a chance to meet you wherever we end up being, because I really want to tell you 'Thank you!' in person, at least once.

May You Rest in Peace.

A fan.

[Tidal Pool Lifeguard]

RIP John Hillerman. This is a hard one. What a fine actor, and by all accounts, a fine man. He brought so many layers to his character on Magnum as we learned more about him every season. And that's the beautiful thing - Mr. Hillerman has sadly departed, but Higgy-baby will live forever on our screens and in our memories.

[Kevster]

RIP, Mr. Hillerman.

You know, from what has been shared of JH's life these last years, he might just say that he's glad to be free. By all accounts, his mobility and quality of life had declined. I hope that he passed with that satisfied look of a man with no regrets and a life well lived. I have no way of knowing, but we do have SOME clues.

The perspective for all of us is the loss of a beloved actor and nexus for a fabulous character on one of our favorite shows. After all, if TS was the heartbeat of the show, JH was the soul... However, JH had walked away from the industry two decades ago. He decided that for his own reasons, and he showed a whole lot of class and character by doing that (IMO). That said, it also means that JH passing now doesn't really change anything for us, except that as fans we'll never have a chance at a REAL reunion in any way. It MAY say that JH was satisfied and at peace with his career, and valued that over scraping up newer and less poignant opportunities had he continued. The thought of that gives me some solace.

And so... Through love, admiration, and respect, we say good-bye. It isn't just to the beloved actor in a career-defining role, it's also a farewell to a HUGE piece of hope for a production future for that universe. Though a reunion movie can't happen (that ship sailed a decade+ ago, IMO), hopefully the rest of the cast will get to attend a reunion of sorts someday. Someplace that should make Robin's Nest in Hawaii look meager and uninspired.

[308GUY]

RIP, Mr. Hillerman.

You know, from what has been shared of JH's life these last years, he might just say that he's glad to be free. By all accounts, his mobility and quality of life had declined. I hope that he passed with that satisfied look of a man with no regrets and a life well lived. I have no way of knowing, but we do have SOME clues.

The perspective for all of us is the loss of a beloved actor and nexus for a fabulous character on one of our favorite shows. After all, if TS was the heartbeat of the show, JH was the soul... However, JH had walked away from the industry two decades ago. He decided that for his own reasons, and he showed a whole lot of class and character by doing that (IMO). That said, it also means that JH passing now doesn't really change anything for us, except that as fans we'll never have a chance at a REAL reunion in any way. It MAY say that JH was satisfied and at peace with his career, and valued that over scraping up newer and less poignant opportunities had he continued. The thought of that gives me some solace.

And so... Through love, admiration, and respect, we say good-bye. It isn't just to the beloved actor in a career-defining role, it's also a farewell to a HUGE piece of hope for a production future for that universe. Though a reunion movie can't happen (that ship sailed a decade+ ago, IMO), hopefully the rest of the cast will get to attend a reunion of sorts someday. Someplace that should make Robin's Nest in Hawaii look meager and uninspired.

I've read each entry from all our dedicated members, trying to put into words how this "event" has impacted our lives and a little bit of what the man meant to each of us. Everyone has expressed very tender and heartfelt sentiments, and they are all moving and pretty great in my view...Kevster has summed up very succinctly my own perspective that I just don't seem to have the "finesse" to put into words. Thank you Kevster.

This does indeed preclude any possibility of an original cast reunion of any kind, (unless they do the CG bit), but I think we all sort of already knew that probability was unlikely more than 20 years ago, but we all,(well...at least myself and a few others), held out hope. Now that's gone too.

On a lighter note, going into the future, (as none of us can ever go back...not one iota or nanosecond), holding out what I have to believe is false hope, this almost makes one of the ideas FOR a reunion show more of a "reality". The way it was presented, JQH did "move on" in the Magnuverse and TM was called in to replace him as majordomo at the estate. JQH is given a proper send off in the opener and the new series unfolds from there. TC is founder/owner of Island Hoppers, the largest air charter service in HI, Rick owns a franchised chain of KK clubs and/or restaurants on the islands, or even nation or world wide, and Thomas tends to the estate and all of RM's affairs for his heirs, in addition to operating a private investigation firm, with himself at the helm. Just a thought. I know it's not going to happen, but it was one of the idea's rattling around in my own mind when mulling over a "reboot" of the show.

I've said from the getgo, Higgin's was the driving force of the show. Even though TM does the voice overs throughout, it's as if JQH is telling the whole story. Just my perspective, and it doesn't actually fit all circumstances or all episodes, but as others have said, the show wouldn't have been what it was and still is without JQH and John Hillerman in that role. Ok, better sign off now....I believe I may be starting to "ramble"....

We are all saddened by Mr. Hillerman's passing, but to quote another "old salt" (Red Skelton to be specific... ) "Why take life so seriously....you're NOT going to make it out alive!" R.I.P. JH

[Kevster]

RIP, Mr. Hillerman.

You know, from what has been shared of JH's life these last years, he might just say that he's glad to be free. By all accounts, his mobility and quality of life had declined. I hope that he passed with that satisfied look of a man with no regrets and a life well lived. I have no way of knowing, but we do have SOME clues.

The perspective for all of us is the loss of a beloved actor and nexus for a fabulous character on one of our favorite shows. After all, if TS was the heartbeat of the show, JH was the soul... However, JH had walked away from the industry two decades ago. He decided that for his own reasons, and he showed a whole lot of class and character by doing that (IMO). That said, it also means that JH passing now doesn't really change anything for us, except that as fans we'll never have a chance at a REAL reunion in any way. It MAY say that JH was satisfied and at peace with his career, and valued that over scraping up newer and less poignant opportunities had he continued. The thought of that gives me some solace.

And so... Through love, admiration, and respect, we say good-bye. It isn't just to the beloved actor in a career-defining role, it's also a farewell to a HUGE piece of hope for a production future for that universe. Though a reunion movie can't happen (that ship sailed a decade+ ago, IMO), hopefully the rest of the cast will get to attend a reunion of sorts someday. Someplace that should make Robin's Nest in Hawaii look meager and uninspired.

I've read each entry from all our dedicated members, trying to put into words how this "event" has impacted our lives and a little bit of what the man meant to each of us. Everyone has expressed very tender and heartfelt sentiments, and they are all moving and pretty great in my view...Kevster has summed up very succinctly my own perspective that I just don't seem to have the "finesse" to put into words. Thank you Kevster.

This does indeed preclude any possibility of an original cast reunion of any kind, (unless they do the CG bit), but I think we all sort of already knew that probability was unlikely more than 20 years ago, but we all,(well...at least myself and a few others), held out hope. Now that's gone too.

On a lighter note, going into the future, (as none of us can ever go back...not one iota or nanosecond), holding out what I have to believe is false hope, this almost makes one of the ideas FOR a reunion show more of a "reality". The way it was presented, JQH did "move on" in the Magnuverse and TM was called in to replace him as majordomo at the estate. JQH is given a proper send off in the opener and the new series unfolds from there. TC is founder/owner of Island Hoppers, the largest air charter service in HI, Rick owns a franchised chain of KK clubs and/or restaurants on the islands, or even nation or world wide, and Thomas tends to the estate and all of RM's affairs for his heirs, in addition to operating a private investigation firm, with himself at the helm. Just a thought. I know it's not going to happen, but it was one of the idea's rattling around in my own mind when mulling over a "reboot" of the show.

I've said from the getgo, Higgin's was the driving force of the show. Even though TM does the voice overs throughout, it's as if JQH is telling the whole story. Just my perspective, and it doesn't actually fit all circumstances or all episodes, but as others have said, the show wouldn't have been what it was and still is without JQH and John Hillerman in that role. Ok, better sign off now....I believe I may be starting to "ramble"....

We are all saddened by Mr. Hillerman's passing, but to quote another "old salt" (Red Skelton to be specific... ) "Why take life so seriously....you're NOT going to make it out alive!" R.I.P. JH

You're welcome. And, thank you for the compliment, 308 Guy.

[ThomasMagnum]

Thanks for the memories John.

[Kevster]

I just went to look to see if there was a recent episode of Larry and Nancy's show, and there is. Dated 11/14. They start talking in earnest about JH in the second segment. The segment music lead-in starts about 5:55.

Here's the link: http://crntalk.com/larrymanetti/

I hope it's a good listen.

And... This forum just got a mention somewhere around the 40:00 mark.

[Steve]

I just went to look to see if there was a recent episode of Larry and Nancy's show, and there is. Dated 11/14. They start talking in earnest about JH in the second segment. The segment music lead-in starts about 5:55.

Here's the link: http://crntalk.com/larrymanetti/

I hope it's a good listen.

And... This forum just got a mention somewhere around the 40:00 mark.

Wow...........Thank you for posting that link, what a great listen and a couple of e-mail questions from folks in our group (Eagle and Steve from Alabama)...........I will be toasting JH this weekend with a Grey Goose and Sprite!

[eagle]

Wow...........Thank you for posting that link, what a great listen and a couple of e-mail questions from folks in our group (Eagle and Steve from Alabama)...........I will be toasting JH this weekend with a Grey Goose and Sprite!

Cool! I was planning to listen, but now I will definitely listen!!

[Mrs. Higgins]

I uploaded this Higgy-Baby tribute video a few years ago. With the passing of JH, I thought I'd post the link here in case anyone missed it. Not a watery-eye tribute. Its actually an upbeat dance tune. Enjoy (again).

http://magnum-mania.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3157

[eagle]

I uploaded this Higgy-Baby tribute video a few years ago. With the passing of JH, I thought I'd post the link here in case anyone missed it. Not a watery-eye tribute. Its actually an upbeat dance tune. Enjoy (again).

http://magnum-mania.com/Forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=3157

Unfortunately the link doesn't work.