Tom Selleck pays tribute to his 'Magnum, P.I.' costar John Hillerman

The actor honors the grand side of "The Great Hildini."

The Everett Collection

It's been a week since Magnum, P.I. actor John Hillerman passed away at 84, and now his costar Tom Selleck has drafted a touching tribute for Hollywood Reporter that honors his friendship with the actor who played Higgins.

In his memorial post, Selleck offers a behind-the-scenes peek at Hillerman, who could always be caught on set with a can of Fresca in one hand and a long cigarette holder in the other. He even reveals the nickname they had for Hillerman, "The Great Hildini." But our favorite part was a nod to Hillerman's dynamic acting talents as Selleck remembers:

"As Higgins, he could make people laugh as well as cry — many times in the same scene. That takes a skill that is not often understood."

In the full post, Selleck also has a laugh of his own, recalling how Hillerman's fake British accent fooled everyone. Selleck wrote, "My wife's from England. I would go around London in a cab, and they'd ask, "Where's the Brit, John Hillerman, from on your show?" and I'd tell them he was from Denison, Texas."

You can read the full tribute post here.

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