Magnum PI’s John Hillerman dead at 84

US actor John Hillerman, who co-starred in TV’s Magnum, PI, has died aged 84.

Family spokeswoman Lori De Waal said Hillerman died on Thursday at his home in Houston.

She said the cause of death had yet to be determined.

Hillerman played stuffy Jonathan Higgins to Tom Selleck’s free-wheeling private detective Thomas Magnum in the hit 1980s series set in Hawaii.

Hillerman also was known for his 1970s roles as arrogant radio show detective Simon Brimmer on the Ellery Queen series, and as a difficult boss on One Day at a Time.

Hillerman appeared in a number of other series, including Valerie, The Love Boat and The Betty White Show. His film credits include The Last Picture Show and High Plains Drifter.