Kiel Martin was an American actor who rose to fame for his role as Detective John “J.D.” La Rue on the 1980s television drama Hill Street Blues. He was known for portraying a sleazy, corrupt, and alcoholic cop who often got into trouble with his superiors and colleagues. He also had a knack for comedy and improvisation, which added to his charm and appeal. However, behind the scenes, Martin was struggling with a serious health issue that eventually claimed his life at the age of 46. Here is the story of how Kiel Martin, the sleazy cop on Hill Street Blues, died of lung cancer.
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Early Life and Career
Kiel Martin was born as Kiel Urban Mueller on July 26, 1944, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was raised in Miami, Florida, where he graduated from Hialeah High School in 1962. He was interested in acting from a young age and participated in drama classes at Miami-Dade Junior College and the University of Miami. He also worked as a musician, a dockworker, and a stand-up comedian in his early years.
In 1967, he moved to New York and signed a contract with Universal Studios. However, he suffered a motorcycle accident that broke 15 bones in his body and required two years of recovery. He resumed his acting career in the early 1970s, appearing in various television shows and movies. Some of his notable roles include White Folks in Trick Baby (1972), Ludie Gutshall in Lolly-Madonna XXX (1973), and Bobby Lee Hagg in Moonrunners (1975).
Hill Street Blues and Fame
Martin’s breakthrough role came in 1981 when he was cast as Detective John “J.D.” La Rue on Hill Street Blues, a groundbreaking police drama that focused on the lives and work of the officers and staff of a fictional precinct in an unnamed city. The show was praised for its realism, ensemble cast, serialized storytelling, and social commentary. It won eight Emmy Awards for its first season and became one of the most influential and acclaimed shows in television history.
Martin’s character, La Rue, was a complex and flawed figure who often engaged in unethical and illegal activities such as gambling, extortion, bribery, and drug abuse. He also had a troubled personal life, marked by failed marriages, affairs, and alcoholism. Despite his vices, he also showed moments of compassion, humor, and loyalty to his partner and friend, Detective Neal Washington (played by Taurean Blacque). Martin’s performance earned him critical acclaim and a loyal fan base. He was nominated for an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 1984.
Lung Cancer Diagnosis and Death
Martin’s health began to deteriorate in the mid-1980s as he developed lung cancer. He continued to work on Hill Street Blues until its final season in 1987, but his condition worsened as the show ended. He starred in a short-lived sitcom called Second Chance (later renamed Boys Will Be Boys) in 1987 but left the show after six episodes due to his illness.
He made his last television appearance on Murder, She Wrote in 1990. He died of cardiovascular collapse due to lung cancer on December 28, 1990, at his home in Rancho Mirage, California. He was survived by his daughter Jesse (from his first marriage to Claudia Martin, the daughter of singer Dean Martin) and his brother Donald Mueller.
According to Looper, Martin was a heavy smoker who smoked up to four packs of cigarettes a day. He also had a history of drug abuse and addiction. He tried to quit smoking several times but failed to do so. He once said that smoking was “the only thing I ever really enjoyed.”
Legacy and Tribute
Martin’s death was mourned by his fans and colleagues who remembered him as a talented and charismatic actor who brought life and humor to his roles. His co-star Taurean Blacque said that Martin was “a very special person” who “had a lot of love for everybody.” His former wife Claudia Martin said that he was “a wonderful father” who “loved Jesse more than anything.”
Martin’s character La Rue was also honored on Hill Street Blues after his death. In the final episode of the show, which aired on May 12, 1987 (four years before Martin’s actual death), La Rue is shown to have died of lung cancer as well. His funeral is attended by his fellow officers who pay tribute to him with speeches and memories.
Martin’s legacy lives on through his work on Hill Street Blues and other shows and movies. He is remembered as one of the most memorable actors of his generation who brought depth and nuance to his roles. He is also regarded as one of the pioneers of realistic and gritty police drama that influenced many subsequent shows in the genre.
