A native of Milwaukee,[1] he studied acting at HB Studio[2] in New York City.

Hiken was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play in 1980 for his performance in Strider.

He has performed in many other Broadway plays and has appeared in supporting and bit roles in various films including The Candidate (1972), Reds (1981), and Fat Man and Little Boy (1989).

He played the character Dennis, father of executive Martin Teale in season 7, episodes 3 and 4: "Executive Sweet" and "One Happy Chappy in a Snappy Serape".

[4] Hiken was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play in 1980 for his performance in Strider.