Connect with us

General Hospital

5

James B. Sikking, ‘General Hospital’ and ‘Hill Street Blues’ Alum, Passes Away at 90

By Michael Fairman

Published

on

Photo: NBC

This weekend has brought the deaths of Shannen Doherty, Richard Simmons, Dr. Ruth Westheimer and now Hill Street Blues and General Hospital alum, James B. Sikking (ex-Dr. Jim Hobart).

Sikking died on Saturday at his home in Los Angeles, due to dementia at the age of 90 surrounded by loved ones. His longtime publicist, Cynthia Snyder issued a statement to Deadline on his passing, sharing, “In a remarkable career, Sikking’s wonderfully exciting face gave us drama, comedy, tragedy and hilarious farse. His career spanned over six decades in television, film and on stage. His talent, integrity and imagination intrigued and delighted audiences.”

While most-known for his role on NBC’s cop drama Hill Street Blues playing Lt. Howard Hunter for seven seasons, and later as Dr. David Howser on Doogie Howser, M.D., longtime GH fans will remember his role of Dr. Jim Hobart. The character was an interloper in Steve Hardy (John Beradino) and Audrey March’s (Rachel Ames) enduring love story.

Courtesy/ABC

Sikking appeared for three years on GH from 1973-1976 and in story, Jim was alcoholic. Audrey was so grateful to him for saving her son, Tommy’s life, that when Jim injured his hands in an car accident and feared his career as a surgeon was over, she felt sorry for him and thus married him, even though she was still in love with her ex-husband Steve Hardy.

Later, Jim began to drink heavier because he could no longer operate and Audrey smothering him, made him drink more.  In 1974, it was Jim who held the key to who killed Phil Brewer. After Diana Taylor was sentenced for Phil’s murder, Jim suddenly remembered he had seen Augusta MacLeod (Judith McConnell) with Phil that night. Eventually, Augusta confessed to killing Phil.

Throughout Sikking’s career he also appeared on TV in guest starring roles on: Starsky & HutchThe Rockford FilesBrooklyn South, and Curb Your Enthusiasm to name but a few, plus numerous motion pictures including the 1980 Academy Award-winning film, Ordinary People.

Sikking is survived by wife Florine, son Andrew, daughter Dr. Emily Sikking and four grandchildren.

Now below, watch a vintage episode of GH from 1975 (although it’s hard to see) featuring several original GH stars and Sikking. Then, share your thoughts on his passing via the comment section.

5 Comments

5 Comments
oldest
newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Oh, the memories that episode brings back!!!!!!!!!! I loved him as Dr Hobart and his coming between Steve and Audrey drove me mad. What a wonderful and varied career he had. He was great in so many, many roles throughout the years. My deepest sympathy to his family and friends. May he rest in peace.

His Howard Hunter on Hill Street was pure art. Howard was an absolutely gung-ho devoted idiot, who loved his guns, his EATers, but had zero sense of diplomacy or tact. Yet he was also insanely vulnerable. Sikking could make you laugh or cry within the span of an episode … sometimes between commercial breaks. Dementia absolutely sucks, so I am happy he is at peace. But Howard Hunter lives forever!

I really enjoyed GH in those pre Luke and Laura days when the hospital was central. It was the first daytime drama to reel me in as a young teen. So many good stories. The Audrey-Jim-Steve triangle and Phil Brewer murder mystery were winners. Mr. Sikking was among those actors who proved the best are often daytimers.

As I live and breathe… A video of from GH in the 1970s, prominently featuring Valerie Starrett as Diana Taylor (although she wasn’t credited in the text of the accompanying article). She was absolutely terrific! Great seeing her in a scene with John Beradino, and also seeing the characters Lee Baldwin, Cameron Faulkner, Jane Dawson, Jesse Brewer, Audrey Marsh, Joel Stratton, and Jim Hobart, among others.

James B. Sikking was also a wonderful actor, as shown in the clip. No wonder he went on to other roles in TV and movies. Condolences to his family and friends. May his memory be a blessing. This was truly a great time in GH history!

Correction of character name above: should be “Lucille March.”

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Carly and Lulu Make Plans to Rescue Their Children; Anna Looks Determined to Secure Her Freedom

Published

on

By

This week on all-new episodes of General Hospital, the race is on! Can Lulu (Alexa Havins) and Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) get to Rocco (Finn Carr) and Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) in time to ensure their safety from Cullum (Andrew Hawkes)? Can Carly (Laura Wright) with the help of her brother, Lucas (Van Hansis) rescue Josslyn (Eden McCoy) from captivity at Wyndemere? These questions may be answered, plus the return of the one and only Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) are on tap!

In the just released General Hospital spoilers video for the week of June 22-26, Lulu tells her mother, Laura (Genie Francis), “Dante and I have to get to Rocco before Cullum!” Meanwhile, Rocco (Finn Carr) looks angered and emotional as Britt walks through their cabin hideout. Does Rocco know his parents are on the way to find them, or has Cullum already tracked them down to the British Virgin Islands?

Back in Port Charles, Carly is informing Lucas that his niece, “is a WSB agent.” She knows Josslyn (Eden McCoy) is being held against her will at Wyndemere, and she has to find a way to get her out. Lucas agrees with Carly’s plan of, “We go in and we don’t leave without Josslyn!” Elsewhere, Josslyn is looking worried for her future as she is stuck in captivity thanks to Cassius, Cullum and Sidwell!

Courtesy/ABC

FINOLA HUGHES RETURNS

The final moments of the teaser promo reveal Anna in a psychiatric clinic in France. We have not seen her for months after Cullum, Sidwell and Pascal fed her hallucinogenics to make her believe her arch nemesis, Cesar Faison was alive!

Now, the doctors walk towards her hospital bed, where we see the super spy calmly knitting. Is Anna back to normal and playing everyone to get out of her predicament, or does she still remain deeply traumatized … or both?

Take a look at the rest of the official GH spoilers for the week below.

MONDAY, JUNE 22
Willow gets an unwelcome surprise. Trina sticks to her guns. “Nathan” wants reassurance. Ethan advises Ava. Brook Lynn receives an update.

TUESDAY, JUNE 23
Dante cautions Liz. Laura learns a secret. Brook Lynn confides in Michael. Sonny challenges Ava. Chase makes a decision.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24
Anna meets with her doctor. Carly makes a stunning confession. Britt extracts a promise. Cullum pulls a fast one. Gio and Emma hit the pool.

THURSDAY, JUNE 25
Josslyn clashes with Cassius. Lulu and Dante make a discovery. Chase receives a warning. Jordan seeks help. Alexis is summoned to the PCPD.

FRIDAY, JUNE 26
Anna takes a huge risk. Britt is in grave danger. Willow is in disbelief. Danny must act fast. Curtis jumps to the wrong conclusion.

Check out the latest General Hospital promo entitled, “Rescue Mission” below.

Now weigh-in: Do you think Anna is still mentally off-balance, or OK, and just pretending to be troubled to get out of France and get back to Port Charles? Will Josslyn finally be rescued, or will Carly and Lucas find themselves locked up with her? And, who will get to Britt and Rocco first? Cullum, or Dante and Lulu? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

General Hospital

Maurice Benard Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’ Writers; Teases Upcoming Sonny Scenes with Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric

Published

on

By

With the highly-anticipated returns of Finola Hughes (Anna Devane) on this week’s June 24 episode of General Hospital, Steve Burton’s (Jason Morgan) upcoming return on July 13, which also serves as the ABC daytime drama’s 16,000 episode, things are about to fire on all cylinders in the story, as noted today by series star, Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos).

On Father’s Day, the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning actor and mental health activist took to his Instagram and expressed in a video that he has some unbelievable upcoming senes with the aforementioned Burton and Hughes. Add to that Nazneen Contractor (Justine Turner) and Rick Hearst (Ric Lansing), where Benard gave credit where credit is due to the GH writing team, which is led by co-head writers, Elizabeth Korte and Chris Van Etten..

In this video, Benard said, “I just want to get on here and say that I did some work with Steve Burton, Finola Hughes, Rick Hearst, Nazneen Contractor, and they’re all just fantastic. Truly fantastic. But, I want to say the writing was just exceptional. It truly was. It was exceptional. So, thankful for that kind of writing. I know writers don’t get the credit a lot, but I just want to say to the General Hospital writing team, keep rolling!”

GENERAL HOSPITAL PREVIEW

So now the question becomes, with a major tease like that, what is about to go down between Sonny, Anna, Jason, Justine and Ric? Will we finally get to the end of the line for Sidwell (Carlo Rota), as previously teased by the GH co-head writers? Will we learn what happened to Jason and Anna, fully? Will Justine and Sonny becomes closer or stop their liaisons? And what of Ric? Will he be true blue to his brother or double-cross him? There is a lot at stake as we move further into the summer and one that looks like it could be one of the more exciting ones in years!

FINOLA HUGHES CONFIRMED AMAZING SCENES WITH MAURICE BENARD

As a punctuation point to his video, Benard also shared this written message in the post: “I just did some wonderful scenes with Steve Burton, Rick Hearst, Finola Hughes and Nazneen Contractor and  and unbelievable writing, freaking amazing scenes that you will see in the near future on General Hospital.” In fact, Finola Hughes jumped in the post comment thread and responded, “I loved our scenes so much xxx”

Fans will most likely see all the scenes Benard referred to later in July, since GH tapes approximately six weeks ahead of air.

So, are you excited to see what Maurice is talking about? Are you hyped for what’s to come on GH? Any clue on what you think will go down between the main characters on the soap with the returns of Anna Devane and Jason Morgan to the mix? Weigh-in via the comment section below.

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Maurice Benard (@mauricebenard)

Continue Reading

General Hospital

‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell Announces Upcoming Release of His First Single, ‘If You Need Me’

Published

on

By

In a surprise move, Daytime Emmy winner, Chad Duell (ex-Michael Corinthos, GH) is getting ready to unveil a new chapter of his career in music.

The former GH star, where he played the son of Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) and Carly Spencer (Laura Wright) for 15 years, has announced his new single, “If You Need Me” will drop on Friday, June 26. The single is now available for pre-order on Spotify and major music streaming platforms and is distributed by DistroKid.

Taking to his Instagram story over the weekend, to announce the pre-save of his new single, Chad expressed, “I’ll make a full post about what I’ve been up to and my music once it goes live next week, but you can pre-save my first single so it goes straight to your Spotify once it drops next week.”

Photo: CDuellIG

SINCE LEAVING GENERAL HOSPITAL

Previously, since his departure from the ABC soap opera. Chad starred alongside Zach Mendez in the world premiere of of Yum Yum at Annapolis, a new play written by Bruce Reisman. Duell last appeared on General Hospital on the January 21, 2025 episode.

The part was recast with Rory Gibson who debuted as the new Michael in May of 2025 during the Nurses’ Ball episodes and who has remained in the role since that time.

In an interview earlier this year on The Able Show, Duell said on his decision to exit the soap opera, “I was blessed to be part of that (show) for as long as I have, but what happens sometimes is if you’re doing the same thing, especially in a creative field for such a long time, you can get a little burnt out in a way. It can make you a little depressed, so that’s kind of what happened. On top of that, I had other things going on in my life at the time. My father passed away recently and I just needed a reset. So, I stepped away. A lot of times you have to go through some stuff to really step into that next level. I needed to kind of feel uncomfortable.”

So, what type of musical genre will Chad’s new song be? Country? Pop? Rock? Dance/Club? Something else? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below, and if you are eager to hear the new single next week via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Finn Carr & Dominic Zamprogna as Rocco & Dante

General Hospital

Airdate: 5-14-2026

Popular

5
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x