Magnum Mania! For All Things Magnum P.I. (original) (raw)

John Hillerman passes away at the age of 84!
11/26/2017 - It is with great sadness that we share the news of the passing of John Hillerman on November 9th. As Jonathon Quayle Higgins III (aka "Higgy Baby") he was easily the second most important character, if not #1A, of the series. Mr. Hillerman’s portrayal of the majordomo of Robin’s Nest was nuanced, complicated and brilliant. While often viewed as adversarial towards Magnum, and rightfully so, it was never as a one-dimensional nemesis. The shared military background and experiences of the two men was a constant tether. Initially reflected in the disappointment Higgins has towards Thomas’ “less than disciplined” lifestyle, it later becomes a means of understanding and relating to each other. In time Higgins fills a certain father figure position for Thomas, whose own father was shot down in the Korean war when he was a child, while also becoming, if not exactly a mentor, a friend to Rick and T.C.

For we “Maniacs” of the show, the stories of his exploits at Sandhurst, as Sergeant Major (in the Queens Own West Yorkshire Regiment) in the British Army and working for MI6 were something we looked forward to. We went along with the ride, we chuckled at some absurdity or were moved by tragedy. Hillerman pulled off each effortlessly.

There is more to say about Mr. Hillerman’s career – from Ellery Queen, One Day at a Time and The Betty White Show to Chinatown, Blazing Saddles and A Very Brady Sequel, but that’s for others to cover. Here, at Magnum Mania! we honor the man for the life he breathed into a character and show we enjoy so much, and hope he very much enjoyed his retirement back home in Texas. Rest in peace, John Hillerman. You will always be remembered!