Scott Hylands Dead: ‘Night Heat’ and ‘Fargo’ Actor Was 83

Scott Hylands, a Canadian actor known for his starring role on the 1980s police drama Night Heat, has died at age 83.

Hylands died on Wednesday, July 29. A cause of death has not been publicized, but the actor was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in October 2021, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Born on February 27, 1943, in Lethbridge, Alberta, Hylands attended Shawnigan Lake Boys School and graduated from the University of British Columbia before getting a lead part in a 1965 off-Broadway production of Billy Liar, THR adds.

After a time in San Francisco’s American Conservatory Theater, Hylands appeared in the films Daddy’s Gone A-Hunting, Fools, Slipstream, Earthquake, and The Boys in Company C. On TV, he brought his talent to guest-starring roles on The Streets of San Francisco, Kung Fu, Ironside, Police Woman, Cannon, Baretta, Wonder Woman, and Police Story.

From 1985 to 1989, Hylands starred in all four seasons of Night Heat, a Canadian cop drama that aired in the United States during CBS’ late-night lineup. He played the veteran Det. Kevin “O.B.” O’Brien opposite Jeff Wincott as younger partner Det. Frank Giambone and Allan Royal as “Night Heat” newspaper columnist Tom Kirkwood, the latter of whom narrated each episode’s night shift.

Later in his career, Hylands guest-starred on NYPD Blue, The X-Files, Stargate SG-1, and Eureka. He played a priest in 11 episodes of the remake, recurred as Carrie Coon’s onscreen stepfather in Fargo, and, in his latest onscreen role, portrayed famed gunslinger Wyatt Earp in an episode of Wynonna Earp.

Hylands’ survivors include his wife of 36 years, Veronica, his daughter, Rebecca, and his son, Luke, according to THR.

In an Instagram post on Friday, Luke said he was heartbroken over the death of a “husband, father, actor, director, writer, storyteller, friend, and lover of life.”

Scott added that he and his family were “still trying to process this horrible loss.”

And to his father, he wrote, “There simply are not enough words I can say about you right now. You are my forever hero and my best friend. Always and forever. I love you. Goodbye, Dad.”