Steven Hill, Trailblazing TV Star, Dies at 94

New York Times ^ | 8/23/2016 | ANITA GATES

[Borges]

Steven Hill, who originated imposing lead roles on two notable television series, “Mission: Impossible” in the 1960s and “Law & Order” in the 1990s, died on Tuesday in Manhattan. He was 94.

His daughter Sarah Gobioff confirmed his death. He lived in Monsey, N.Y., a hamlet in Rockland County.

Mr. Hill was 44 and a veteran stage and television actor in 1966 when he was cast as Daniel Briggs, the leader of an elite covert-operations unit, in the new series “Mission: Impossible.” But he left after the first season, paving the way for Peter Graves’s six-season run as the show’s lead.

[MinuteGal]

My one and only pet peeve on FR...photographs of people without caption/identification.

In each of your photos, which person is the subject of this article?

Many of us are not familiar with the faces of every TV series performer of decades ago.

Thanks,

Leni

[wally_bert]

He was good in an Untouchables episode about “Legs” Diamond and another called Downfall.

RIP Adam Schiff.

[liberalh8ter]

RIP, Sir. I really liked him in Law & Order as Adam Schiff. He reminded me very much of an Uncle of mine.

[Buckeye McFrog]

I can see why you’re confused. Red Badger posted a cast photo from a later season when Hill was no longer on the show.

He is the handsome gentleman at the bottom of the picture in the second cast photo.

[yuleeyahoo]

Peter Graves was an upgrade. Much better in the lead role.

[who knows what evil?]

My wife just finished watching the first season of ‘Mission: Impossible’ on DVD...she wasn’t aware that there was someone before Mr. Phelps.

[Nifster]

That he was....just a classy actor

[Buckeye McFrog]

I liked Graves a lot too. Hill really did not stay in the role long enough to fully develop it.

There is only one episode where someone other than Graves or Hill listens to the self-destructing message. It is Cinnamon Carter (Barbara Bain’s character). Shot late on a Friday, and Hill had left the building to be home before sundown.

[Political Junkie Too]

The first season of M:I was fun to watch if only to recognize some of the set pieces that were also used on Star Trek. Some of the supporting actors, too.

-PJ

[iowamark]

The first season MI cast. Steven Hill at bottom, Martin Landau at left, Barbara Bain at right, Gregg Morris at top.

[Buckeye McFrog]

Bain and Landau were married to each other at the time.

[Bubba Ho-Tep]

There was a time in the Actors Studio when he was considered to be more likely to become a major actor than his classmate Brando.

[MinuteGal]

Thanks so much for the identification.

Just think, the Mission Impossible series ran from 1966 through 1973...a half-century ago!!!

No wonder I couldn't recall names and faces since I'm only age 39 (plus tax and tip !)...LOL

Leni

[Buckeye McFrog]

I remember sitting with my dad watching Mission:Impossible. I was probably five or six.

[riverdawg]

I’ve been on a Law and Order rerun binge this summer. I always enjoy the curmudgeonly DA played by Steven Hill. Fred Thompson also did a nice job later.

[riverdawg]

Hill should have enlisted the help of Sandy Koufax, who was more persuasive with the Dodgers.

[riverdawg]

I liked the way Hill played the DA role. I thought Fred Thompson also did a nice job later, although he played a slightly less cranky DA.

[wally_bert]

I liked Brooks fwiw.

He was really good in a short lived cult classic Good Vs. Evil.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YuN8LybimbQ

[Terry L Smith]

dear mears,

re:
“except for Richard Brooks,the worst actor in television history.”

In Nawlins spoke ... ‘who d’at? Ah’s don’ neber no ways ‘member him.’