Scott Hylands, the Canadian actor best known for playing veteran detective Kevin “O.B.” O’Brien on the 1980s crime drama Night Heat, has died. He was 83.
Hylands died Wednesday, July 29, according to his son, Luke Hylands, who announced the news in an emotional Instagram tribute on July 31.
Luke remembered his father as his “forever hero and my best friend” and shared photographs showing Hylands both alone and surrounded by members of his family.
Hylands was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in 2021, although no official cause of death has been announced. He is survived by his wife, Veronica, and their children, Luke and Rebecca.
His Son Remembered More Than the Actor Audiences Knew
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Luke opened his tribute by identifying his father as a husband, parent, actor, director, writer, storyteller, friend and “lover of life.” “I am heartbroken to share the news that my Dad Scott has passed away Wednesday night,” he wrote. “Myself and my family are still trying to process this horrible loss.”
Luke said there were not enough words to express what his father had meant to him before ending the message with a final declaration of love. Luke, who works as a camera and electrical technician, did not disclose where his father died or provide additional information about his final days.
‘Night Heat’ Put Hylands at the Center of a Television First
Hylands’ defining television role came as Detective Kevin “O.B.” O’Brien in Night Heat, a police drama about officers working the overnight shift in an unnamed North American city.
His character was the experienced counterpart to Jeff Wincott’s younger and more impulsive Detective Frank Giambone. Hylands and Wincott appeared throughout the show’s 96-episode run alongside Allan Royal, Sean McCann, Susan Hogan and Eugene Clark.
The series aired from 1985 to 1989 on CTV in Canada and CBS in the United States. According to The Hollywood Reporter, it became the first original Canadian drama series to be broadcast simultaneously on an American network during its original run. Hylands received Gemini Award nominations for Best Performance by a Lead Actor in a Continuing Dramatic Role in both 1986 and 1987.
His Family Sought Help After His Leukemia Diagnosis
Hylands was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in October 2021. His wife subsequently organized a fundraising campaign to help the family manage the costs associated with his treatment. Veronica told the Toronto Sun that the diagnosis had been overwhelming. She also addressed the assumption that decades of recognizable acting work had left the family financially secure.
She explained that Hylands no longer received residual payments from Night Heat and was still working in his late 70s. His former costar Wincott was among those who supported the family when the fundraiser was launched.
Wincott said Hylands had been consistently prepared and professional and credited him with teaching lessons that remained useful throughout his own career. Although Hylands’ leukemia diagnosis has been included in reports of his death, People noted that it remains unclear whether the illness contributed to his death.
Hylands Built His Career on the Stage
Born Scott Hylands Douglas in Lethbridge, Alberta, on February 27, 1943, Hylands was raised in Vancouver. He graduated with honors from the University of British Columbia with a theater degree in 1964 before moving to New York and appearing in an off-Broadway production of Billy Liar.
Hylands later became an original member of San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theater. He appeared in more than 20 productions with the company, including Death of a Salesman and King Lear.
His extensive stage career also included work at the Mark Taper Forum, the Los Angeles Shakespeare Festival, Canada’s Stratford Festival, Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre and other companies across North America.
His Screen Career Spanned More Than Five Decades
Hylands made his film debut in the 1969 thriller Daddy’s Gone A-Hunting. His later movie credits included Earthquake, The Boys in Company C, Death Hunt, Becoming Redwood and Rememory.
His supporting performance as Earl in Becoming Redwood earned him a 2013 Leo Award nomination. After Night Heat, Hylands continued appearing regularly on television. His credits included V, The X-Files, NYPD Blue, Supernatural, Heartland and The Returned.
He also portrayed Ennis Stussy in three episodes of the third season of FX’s Fargo. His final screen appearance came as Wyatt Earp in the Syfy series Wynonna Earp in 2020.