Scott Hylands, an actor recognized for his roles in the television series "Night Heat" and the critically acclaimed "Fargo," died on Wednesday, July 29. He was 83.
His son, Luke Hylands, confirmed his father's passing on Instagram, sharing that the family is "trying to process this horrible loss." He described his father as a "Husband, Father, Actor, Director, Writer, Storyteller, Friend, and lover of life."
Born in Lethbridge, Alberta, in 1943, Hylands was raised in Vancouver, British Columbia. He earned a Bachelor of Theatre from the University of British Columbia in 1964 and subsequently moved to New York City to pursue acting. His early career included a lead role in the off-Broadway production of "Billy Liar" and a position as one of the founding members of the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco.
Hylands made his on-screen debut in the 1969 film "Daddy's Gone A-Hunting." Throughout the 1970s, he appeared in films such as "Operation Snafu," "Slipstream," "Earthquake," and "Bittersweet Love," as well as television shows including "Cannon," "Wonder Woman," "Police Story," and "Most Wanted."
His television work continued with guest roles in "The Waltons" and "Hart To Hart." Hylands achieved greater recognition for his portrayal of Detective Kevin O'Brien in the Canadian police drama "Night Heat," which aired from 1985 to 1989 and also broadcast on CBS in the United States. The series, chronicling the exploits of detectives in a fictional North American city, won Gemini Awards for Best Drama Series in 1986 and 1987.
Following the conclusion of "Night Heat," Hylands took on guest roles in numerous other series, including "To Catch A Killer," "Tropical Heat," "NYPD Blue," "The X-Files," and "Stargate SG-1." His later television appearances included episodes of "The Dead Zone" (2003), "Eureka" (2007), "Supernatural" (2011), and "Wynonna Earp" (2020), his last credited role. He also appeared as Ennis in the third season of the FX series "Fargo."
In 2021, Hylands was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML), and his family initiated a GoFundMe campaign to support his medical treatment.
Scott Hylands is survived by his wife, Veronica, and their two children, Luke and Rebecca.