Jonathan Higgins

Magnum P.I. Character|Jonathan Quayle Higgins III


name=Jonathan Quayle Higgins III
height=5'6"
occupation=Major-Domo for "Robin's Nest"
seasons= 1-8
portrayer=John Hillerman

Jonathan Quayle Higgins III, was a fictional character in the 1980s television series, "Magnum P.I." portrayed by actor John Hillerman.

Character's background

Higgins was born some time between 1918 and 1920, in England. He is the heir to a Scottish peerage. In the pilot episode it is found he had a conjoined twin, separated at birth. [http://www.museum.tv/archives/etv/M/htmlM/magnumpi/magnumpi.htm Entry for "Magnum, P.I"] from the Museum of Broadcast Communications website] He also has a sister, who is currently "married and living in Sussex with four monstrous children" (ep. 1.10). He later discovered his father (Albert) had sired several other sons (all played by John Hillerman) during World War I, including; Father Paddy McGuiness, who is a Catholic priest in Ireland, Elmo Ziller, a Texan rodeo owner, Don Luis Mongueo, an heir to the throne of Costa De Rosa in South America, and Tsu Li, the son of a raven haired Mongolian beauty.

He attended Eton College and served as a Regimental Sergeant Major in the British Army during World War II. He was present at the bridging of the River Kwai, which he claims was "nothing like the movie". He is referred to as "Punky" by his war buddies. (ep 3.7). He also attended the Nuremberg Trials. ("Never Again… Never Again" from season 1), and he was a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the UK's highest award for bravery in battle.

He also served in both the Korean War and the Vietnam War (assisting the French), New Guinea, India and Kenya, among others. [ [http://magnum-mania.com/Articles/Higgins_History.html Higgins Biography on magnum-mania.com] ]

He holds a doctorate in mathematics from Cambridge University. This was revealed when he told an injured woman (correctly, though misleadingly) that he was "a doctor". He owns two highly trained Dobermann pinschers, Zeus and Apollo (A.K.A. "The Lads").

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/security guard 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.

Character

Higgins is often known for his tendencies to ramble when someone asked him a question. He always manages to relate it usually to a story in either Korea or World War II, but sometimes other events.

He is fond of Byron and Shelley, which suggests a hidden romantic streak.

Higgins's trademark epithet is the slowly building "Oh...my...GOD!"

Higgins and Ian Fleming

Higgins is loosely based on James Bond creator Ian Fleming:

*Both were born into distinguished families of Scottish descent
*Both left Sandhurst, the British officers academy, before graduation
*Both served in the British military during World War II with careers focused on intelligence and special operations
*Both retired to tropical estates after retiring from military service
*Both (if rumors are to be believed) wrote a series of lurid adventure novels loosely based on their own experiences

In addition, in 1946 Higgins refused a direct order to fire on Jewish refugees trying to reach Palestine. This episode ("Torah, Torah, Torah" from season 5) resembles an experience of Patrick Dalzel-Job, reportedly one of the inspirations for James Bond, who refused an order to stop evacuation of Norwegian civilians as that country was being overtaken by the German army near the beginning of WWII.

External links

* [http://magnum-mania.com/Articles/Higgins_History.html Chronology of Higgins' life and career]

References