According to The Hollywood Reporter, Television actor Scott Hyland (Night Heat, Fargo) has passed away at the age of 83. Most known for his role as the jaded Det. Kevin “O.B.” O’Brien in Night Heat, which aired in the 1980s. His son Luke Hyland announced the actor’s death after he passed on July 29th. The elder Hyland had acute myeloid leukemia since 2021.
Before his role on Night Heat, Hyland primarily played villains in guest-starring roles. Landing the role of Detective O.B. was a welcome departure in both duration and motivation of the roles.
Former real-life Sonny Grosso detective conceived the documentary-style series, although the series was not his crowning achievement. Along with his partner Eddie Egan, Grosso is responsible for bringing down the drug smuggling syndicate the French Connection in the 1960s. Jeff Wincott (The Night Of, Sons Of Anarchy) starred alongside Hyland as his younger, reckless partner Frank Giambone. Rounding out the series was Allan Royal (The Firm, The Practice), a journalist who documented the duo’s exploits. The series would enjoy a 96-episode run, from 1985 to 1989.
Hyland was born in Alberta, Canada. His mother was both a healer and an educator as a nurse and math teacher. His father, unfortunately, was a casualty of World War II. After graduating from the University of British Columbia, Hyland would pursue acting in San Francisco at the American Conservatory Theatre. He would begin his career in film and television in Daddy’s Gone a-Hunting.
In the 1970s, Hyland would have roles in the films Slipstream (1973), Earthquake (1974), and The Boys in Company C. His television credits during this decade included The Streets of San Francisco, Kung Fu, Harry O, Police Woman, Cannon, Medical Center, Baretta, Wonder Woman, and Police Story. Addtionally he would also act in the mini-series Centennial.
After Night Heat, Hyland would continue to work in television in series such as The X-Files, Due South, Stargate SG-1, The Outer Limits, NYPD Blue, V, Once Upon a Time, and Wynonna Earp. Recently, he was prominently featured in the third season of the 2017 Fargo series.
Night Heat co-star Wincott shared some kind words with the Toronto Sun prior to his death in 2021: “I was lucky to have worked with him on my first big acting job. He taught me a lot. He was always prepared, professional, and he cared deeply about doing good work, a lesson and example I carried with me throughout my career,” per The Hollywood Reporter.
