  john benedict hillerman (born december 20, 1932) is an american actor, known for his starring role as jonathan quayle higgins iii on the television show magnum, p.i. ==personal life== hillerman was born in denison, texas, the son of german americans christopher benedict hillerman, a gas station owner, and lenora joan (nÃ©e medlinger). his father was the grandson of immigrants from germany and france. his mother was the daughter of immigrants from austria and germany. young hillerman grew up in denison and attended st. xavier's academy. after graduation, he attended the university of texas at austin for three years where he majored in journalism. in 1953, he joined the united states air force, serving for four years and achieving the rank of sergeant. during his years of military service, he worked with various theatrical groups, and on his discharge he moved to new york city to study at the american theatre wing. in 1957, he began his career in professional theater as the resident juvenile at the chautauqua playhouse in middleton, ohio. hillerman has been a long-time bachelor, saying "when i was a young struggling actor i couldn't afford a wife. and now i'm so set in my ways at the age of 44 no woman would live with me". however, in the 1970s, hillerman had an actress girlfriend who shared his distaste of marriage. he now stays away from the spotlight and irregularly attends events.{{cite news|url=http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2007/aug/10/las-vegas-will-seem-like-a-magnum-pi-reunion/|title=âlas vegasâ will seem like a âmagnum, p.i.â reunion|date=august 10, 2007|
1932_births 20th-century_American_male_actors American_male_film_actors American_male_stage_actors American_male_television_actors American_people_of_German_descent Best_Supporting_Actor_Golden_Globe_(television)_winners Living_people Male_actors_from_Texas Outstanding_Performance_by_a_Supporting_Actor_in_a_Drama_Series_Primetime_Emmy_Award_winners People_from_Denison,_Texas United_States_Air_Force_airmen University_of_Texas_at_Austin_alumni