The Canadian actor had a history of acute myeloid leukemia.

Night Heat star Scott Hylands dies at 83

The Canadian actor had a history of acute myeloid leukemia.

August 2, 2026 11:12 p.m. ET

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Scott Hylands in ‘The First 36 Hours of Dr Durant’. Credit:

American Broadcasting Companies via Getty

- Scott Hylands, star of 1980s crime drama *Night Heat*, has died.

- The Canadian actor, who had a history of acute myeloid leukemia, was 83.

- Hylands also appeared in TV series such as *The X-Files*, *NYPD Blue*, and *Fargo*.

*Night Heat *star Scott Hylands died Wednesday, July 29 at the age of 83, his son announced on Instagram.

In addition to his starring role in the 1980s crime drama, the Canadian actor had appeared in such TV series as *The X-Files*, *NYPD Blue*, and *Fargo*.

“Husband, Father, Actor, Director, Writer, Storyteller, Friend, and lover of life,” Luke Hylands wrote on July 31. “I am heartbroken to share the news that my Dad Scott has passed away Wednesday night. Myself and my family are still trying to process this horrible loss. There simply are not enough words I can say about you right now. You are my forever hero and my best friend.”

In 2021, Scott Hylands was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia, according to a *Toronto Sun* report on a GoFundMe campaign set up for the actor. The effort brought out praise for the then-78-year-old.

“I was lucky to have worked with him on my first big acting job. He taught me a lot. He was always prepared, professional and he cared deeply about doing good work, a lesson and example I carried with me throughout my career,” *Night Heat *costar Jeff Wincott said at the time, according to the *Sun*.

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For his performance as Detective Kevin “O.B.” O’Brien in *Night Heat*, Hylands was nominated for two Gemini Awards for Best Performance by a Lead Actor in a Continuing Dramatic Role in 1986 and 1987 by the Academy of Canadian Cinema & Television (before the honor became the Canadian Screen Awards in 2013).

Hylands was also nominated for a Leo Award for Best Supporting Performance by a Male in a Motion Picture, given by the the Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Foundation of British Columbia. He played Earl in 2013’s *Becoming Redwood*, about a boy following his dream to beat Jack Nicklaus at the 1975 Masters golf tournament and reunite with his parents.

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Born Scott Hylands Douglas on Feb. 27, 1943, in Lethbridge, Alberta, he was raised in Vancouver, British Columbia, and graduated from the University of British Columbia with a B.A. in theater in 1964, according to an IMDb biography penned by the actor. He wrote about his extensive theater experience, including appearances at Los Angeles’ Mark Taper Forum and the Los Angeles Shakespeare Festival, on Broadway in *Queen of the Rebels*, and in Canada at the Stratford Festival, Toronto’s Royal Alexandra Theatre, Winnipeg’s Prairie Theatre Exchange, and Victoria’s Belfry Theatre.

Besides Luke, he is survived by his wife Veronica and daughter Rebecca.

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