A TVXOHOF UPDATE - JONATHAN QUAYLE HIGGINS

From the Associated Press:

John Hillerman, who played stuffed-shirt Higgins to Tom Selleck’s freewheeling detective Thomas Magnum in the 1980s TV series “Magnum, P.I.” has died, his nephew said Thursday. Hillerman was 84.

Hillerman, who had been in declining health, died of natural causes Thursday at his home in Houston, nephew Chris Tritico said.

Besides playing manager of the Hawaiian estate that Magnum used as home base, Hillerman was known for his 1970s roles as arrogant radio show detective Simon Brimmer on the “Ellery Queen” series and the difficult boss on the sitcom “One Day at a Time.”

As Jonathan Quayle Higgins, Mr. Hillerman has been eligible for membership in the Television Crossover Hall of Fame for years, ever since he completed his trifecta:

'MAGNUM, P.I.'

157 episodes

'SIMON & SIMON'

"Emeralds Are NOT A Girl's Best Friend"

'MURDER, SHE WROTE'
"Magnum On Ice"

And within the 'Magnum, P.I.' roster, Higgins had connections to other characters who were also played by Hillerman.  They might not have been actually seen in other shows, but some of them might be able to fill in the blanks in other shows.  Take Father Paddy McGuinness, a priest from Northern Ireland who was Higgins' half-brother.  Let's say there's some show from Northern Ireland set during the 1980s in which a priest is mentioned, but not by name.  Why couldn't it be Father Paddy McGuinness?

At any rate, the way so many of the great classic TV stars are dying off these last few years, the TVXOHOF is becoming more of a memorial shrine.  So HIggins would have eventually been inducted but now he's on a fast track.  (If John Hillerman had been eligible as a member of the League of Themselves, he would have entered right away.)

Good night and may God bless......