HOUSTON - John Hillerman, who shot to fame as snooty English caretaker Higgins in Tom Selleck's '80s TV series Magnum PI, has died at the age of 84.

Hillerman's publicist said he died of natural causes at his home in Houston.

Born in 1932, Hillerman started out on stage before landing small roles in such '70s classics as The Last Picture Show, Blazing Saddles and Chinatown.

But he is best known for Magnum, which won him a Golden Globe and an Emmy. Hillerman beat several British actors to the Higgins role, which he once called "the best gig I've ever had". He proved so convincing that he once received a fan letter from the UK describing him as "a credit to the Empire". "I hate to disappoint you, but I'm a hick from Texas," he would write back to fans who assumed he was British. the BBC reported.

The actor was last seen on screen playing a doctor in 1996 comedy A Very Brady Sequel.

Story Date: November 12, 2017