John Hillerman
The actor who turned a stuffy, cultured estate manager into the secret heart of 'Magnum, P.I.,' winning an Emmy for his impeccable comic timing.
1932–2017 (age 85)·American actor·Birthday: December 20·The Silent Generation
Biography
With his crisp English accent and an air of exasperated dignity, John Hillerman created one of television's most beloved and unlikely characters: Jonathan Quayle Higgins III. A native Texan who mastered an aristocratic demeanor, Hillerman brought Higgins to life as more than just Thomas Magnum's foil; he was the show's sophisticated, secretly sentimental anchor. His portrayal, layered with hints of a mysterious military past and a deep bond with the dogs, Zeus and Apollo, earned him a Golden Globe and an Emmy. Before finding his defining role, Hillerman was a versatile character actor in films like 'Blazing Saddles' and 'Chinatown.' His Higgins, however, became a cultural touchstone, a testament to how a perfectly pitched supporting performance can steal the show.
The Silent Generation
1928–1945
Born between the Depression and the end of WWII. Too young to fight, old enough to remember. They became the conformist middle managers of the 1950s — and the civil rights leaders who quietly dismantled Jim Crow.
John was born in 1932, placing them squarely in The Silent Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When John Was Born
The biggest hits of 1932
#1 Movie
Grand Hotel
Best Picture
Grand Hotel
John's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1932Born
Amelia Earhart flies solo across the Atlantic
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Night and Day" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: Grand Hotel
1937Started school
Hindenburg disaster; Golden Gate Bridge opens
Gas: $0.20/galPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"A-Tisket, A-Tasket" — Ella FitzgeraldBest Picture: The Life of Emile Zola
1945Became a teenager
WWII ends; atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $4,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Sentimental Journey" — Les Brown & Doris DayBest Picture: The Lost Weekend
1948Could drive
Israel declares independence; Berlin Blockade begins
Gas: $0.26/galHome: $7,450Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Twelfth Street Rag" — Pee Wee HuntBest Picture: Hamlet
1950Could vote
Korean War begins
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $7,354Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Goodnight Irene" — Gordon Jenkins & The WeaversBest Picture: All About Eve
1953Turned 21
DNA structure discovered by Watson and Crick
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $8,750Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"Song from Moulin Rouge" — Percy FaithBest Picture: From Here to Eternity
1962Turned 30
Cuban Missile Crisis brings the world to the brink
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $12,800Min wage: $1.15/hrPresident: John F. Kennedy"Stranger on the Shore" — Acker BilkBest Picture: Lawrence of Arabia
1972Turned 40
Watergate break-in; last Apollo Moon mission
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $19,550Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" — Roberta FlackBest Picture: The Godfather
1982Turned 50
Michael Jackson releases Thriller
Gas: $1.22/galHome: $55,200Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Physical" — Olivia Newton-JohnBest Picture: Gandhi
1992Turned 60
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
2002Turned 70
Euro currency enters circulation
Gas: $1.36/galHome: $137,800Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"How You Remind Me" — NickelbackBest Picture: Chicago
2012Turned 80
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2017Died at 85
#MeToo movement; solar eclipse crosses the US
Gas: $2.42/galHome: $195,000Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Donald Trump"Shape of You" — Ed SheeranBest Picture: The Shape of Water
Key Achievements
- Won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role as Higgins on 'Magnum, P.I.' in 1987.
- Won a Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Series, Miniseries or Television Film for the same role in 1981.
- Played a key supporting role in Mel Brooks's Western parody 'Blazing Saddles' as Howard Johnson.
- Appeared in Roman Polanski's classic film noir 'Chinatown' as the assistant coroner.
Did You Know?
He was born in Denison, Texas, and developed his precise English accent through study and practice.
He served in the United States Air Force before pursuing acting.
He was a close friend of fellow actor Tom Selleck, his 'Magnum, P.I.' co-star.
He retired from acting in 1999 and lived a very private life in Houston, Texas.
“I am a trained professional, sir, and I take my responsibilities seriously.”
