| Jonathan Quayle Higgins III, Baron of Perth | |
|---|---|
| Magnum, P.I. character | |
| First appearance | 1 |
| Last appearance | 8 |
| Portrayed by | John Hillerman |
| Information | |
| Occupation | Major-Domo: Robin's Nest Sergeant Major, British Army |
| Family | Baron of Perth • Albert (father) • Older brother Younger brothers Sister (with 4 children) Half-siblings: • Elmo Ziller • Fr. Paddy McGuiness • Don Luis Mongueo • Soo Ling • Elizabeth Whitefeather • Catooba Noomba |
| Known military decorations include the Victoria Cross | |
Jonathan Quayle Higgins III is a fictional character in the 1980s television series, Magnum, P.I. portrayed by actor John Hillerman. Hillerman won an Emmy for the role in 1987.[1]
The character of Higgins appeared in three other television shows: Quantum Leap in 1991, Simon & Simon in 1982, and Murder, She Wrote in 1986.[2]
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Although Jonathan Higgins presents as English, John Hillerman was born in Texas and served in the US Air Force. Hillerman practiced the English accent in onstage productions in Ohio before taking the accent to Hollywood. The character we know as Jonathan Higgins began life as Simon Brimmer on TV productions of Ellery Queen; which were the 1975 TV movie Ellery Queen: Too Many Suspects and the 1975-76 TV series Ellery Queen. Brimmer was an arrogant and self-assured character who used these personality traits as a foil to Ellery Queen (Jim Hutton).[3] Hillerman says playing a snob comes easy to him.[4]
The character Higgins was born in England, probably between 1918-1920.[5]
The show introduced a half brother to Higgins on two occasions. Each time the half brother was portrayed by Hillerman. The first was a Texan, and the second an Irish Priest. The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette described the appearance of the Irish Priest half brother as a "gimmick".[6]
The character served in both the Korean War and the Indochina War (assisting the French), New Guinea, India and Kenya, among others.[5] Higgins carried the discipline of his military background into his civilian life.[7]
The character holds a 1947 doctorate in mathematics from Cambridge University.[5] This was revealed when he told a pregnant woman (correctly, though misleadingly) that he was "a doctor". He owns two highly trained Dobermann pinschers, Zeus and Apollo (A.K.A. "The Lads").
The character Higgins is the Majordomo for Robin Masters' beachfront estate on Oahu, which is commonly referred to as Robin's Nest. After Orson Welles (who voiced Robin Masters) died, Thomas Magnum, a private investigator/Head of Security for Robin's Nest, began thinking Higgins was Robin Masters. It later became a running gag in the series after Thomas told his friends Theodore "T.C." Calvin, and Orville "Rick" Wright about his idea. In the final episode of the series, Higgins says to Magnum that he really is Robin Masters. However, despite having told him this at the beginning of the episode, Higgins tells Magnum at Rick's wedding that he lied.
Higgins plays Magnum's foil.[8] Higgins has been described as representing "the pomposity, elitism, and stuffiness of the Old Guard (literally and figuratively)".[9] John Hillerman has stated that "Higgins in any situation thinks he's the only sane character there, and everyone else is stark raving mad".[10]
In one episode, a Jewish rabbi recounts an encounter with a young Higgins. He describes how in 1946 Higgins refused a standing order to fire on Jewish refugees trying to reach Palestine. When asked how he could disobey, Higgins replied "I was obeying a higher law that does not permit me to shoot unarmed refugees looking for a home."[11]
Higgins is often known for his tendencies to ramble when someone asked him a question. He usually manages to relate it usually to a story in either Korea or World War II but sometimes other events; in one episode, when he is being robbed by people in costumes he says, "I believe I've been in a situation much like this...actually, no, this is a first...but I read about something like this once."