John Hillerman Net Worth

What Is John Hillerman's Net Worth?

John Hillerman was an American actor who had a net worth of $5 million at the time of his death. John Hillerman was best known for his career-defining role as Jonathan Quayle Higgins III on the CBS television series "Magnum, P.I.," a performance that earned him both an Emmy Award and a Golden Globe Award and made him one of the most memorable supporting characters in television history. Though often associated with that singular role, Hillerman built a long and respected career spanning more than three decades across stage, film, and television.

Before achieving fame on television, Hillerman was a prolific stage actor and a familiar face in some of the most acclaimed films of the 1970s. His film résumé included standout supporting roles in "The Last Picture Show," "What's Up, Doc?," "Paper Moon," "Blazing Saddles," "Chinatown," and "The Day of the Locust." Known for his sharp diction, dry wit, and ability to project authority or disdain with precision, Hillerman became a reliable character actor whose presence elevated ensemble casts. Despite playing a famously aristocratic British character, Hillerman was, by his own amused admission, "a hick from Texas."

Early Life and Education

John Benedict Hillerman was born on December 20, 1932, in Denison, Texas, to Christopher and Lenora Hillerman. He was the middle child and the only son, with two sisters. From an early age, Hillerman demonstrated independence and curiosity, traveling alone as a teenager to Dallas to attend operas and cultural events.

He was educated at St. Xavier's Academy and later attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied journalism for three years. Hillerman left college to enlist in the U.S. Air Force, serving from 1953 to 1957. While stationed in Fort Worth, he discovered acting through a local theatrical group and appeared in dozens of stage productions before his discharge.

After completing his military service, Hillerman moved to New York City to study at the American Theatre Wing. He spent more than a decade working steadily in theater in New York and Washington, D.C., appearing in over 100 stage productions. Despite the volume of work, financial instability eventually led him to relocate to Los Angeles in search of more consistent employment.

Television Career

Hillerman's television career began in the early 1970s with appearances in TV films and guest roles on series such as "The Sixth Sense," "Mannix," "Maude," "Kojak," and "The Bob Crane Show." From 1975 to 1976, he played the recurring role of Simon Brimmer, a rival detective, on the NBC mystery series "Ellery Queen." He followed this with recurring roles on "One Day at a Time" and "The Betty White Show," where he played Betty White's sarcastic ex-husband.

The defining moment of Hillerman's career came in 1980 when he was cast as Higgins on "Magnum, P.I." after producers struggled to find a suitable English actor. Hillerman's portrayal of the fastidious, sharp-tongued estate manager became a cornerstone of the series' dynamic, serving as the perfect foil to Tom Selleck's laid-back Thomas Magnum. The show ran for eight seasons, and Hillerman's performance earned him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series and a Golden Globe Award.

After "Magnum, P.I." ended in 1988, Hillerman appeared in projects including "Around the World in 80 Days," "Hands of a Murderer," and a recurring role on "The Hogan Family." He gradually reduced his workload before retiring from acting in 1999.

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Film Career

Hillerman made his film debut with an uncredited role in "They Call Me Mister Tibbs!" in 1970. He quickly became a favored supporting actor of director Peter Bogdanovich, appearing in "The Last Picture Show," "What's Up, Doc?," "Paper Moon," and "At Long Last Love." His other notable 1970s film roles included appearances in "Lawman," "Blazing Saddles," "Chinatown," and "The Day of the Locust."

Throughout the 1980s and 1990s, Hillerman continued to work intermittently in film, appearing in projects such as "History of the World, Part I," "Up the Creek," and "A Very Brady Sequel," which marked his final on-screen film appearance in 1996.

Personal Life and Death

Hillerman never married and was known for maintaining an intensely private personal life. After retiring from acting, he returned to Texas, where he lived quietly away from the public eye.

John Hillerman died on November 9, 2017, at his home in Houston, Texas, at the age of 84. His death marked the passing of a consummate character actor whose work bridged classic Hollywood cinema and modern television, and whose most famous role continues to endure decades after its debut.

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