With its realistic representation of the exploits of Manhattan’s 15th police precinct, NYPD Blue created television history when it made its ABC debut in September 1993. Creators Steven Bochco (Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law) and David Milch (Deadwood) brought network television into a daring new era of imaginative storytelling by using documentary-style camerawork (and a hearty amount of violence, partial nudity, and profanity).
A strong cast of skilled actors, many of whom received their big break on the highly lauded series, could be found beneath the controversy the show courted throughout its 12-season existence. Discover what some of the most noteworthy cast members from NYPD Blue have been doing to after giving up their badges by reading on below.
Bill Brochtrup (John Irvin)
In what should have been a thankless, forgettable job, Bill Brochtrup added heart and subtle comedy as P.A.A. John Irvin (or “Upstairs John,” as Sipowicz nicknamed him). The openly gay character broadened Sipowicz’s views and provided a unique, non-stereotypical representation of a homosexual person on network television (Brochtrup himself came out in People magazine in 1997) Brochtrup had a recurring role on Steven Bochco episodes including Total Security and Public Morals before Blue. (Bochco had a tonne of performances throughout the 1990s.)
Nowadays, Brochtrup maintains a busy schedule in the theatrical industry and gives the same empathy to John’s character as he does to Dr. Bowman, the psychologist on TNT’s Major Crimes.
Charlotte Ross (Det McDowell)
Prior to appearing on NYPD Blue, Ross had experience in the soap opera industry by appearing on the ephemeral FOX musical drama The Heights. She began acting in the cop drama in 2001, and in a contentious 2004 episode, she made a big impression as Connie McDowell. (The FCC penalised ABC and affiliate stations a staggering $1.2 million after the show aired; however, the fine was overturned by a Manhattan court in 2011) Grumpy old Sipowicz’s heart would finally be won over by the sweet-natured McDowell, and in the later seasons the couple got married and had children.
David Caruso (John Kelly)
David Caruso established a career as a supporting actor by making appearances in everything from Rambo: First Blood to Bochco’s ground-breaking series Hill Street Blues before busting criminals and making out with a young Amy Brenneman as Det. John Kelly. Caruso gained notoriety after leaving NYPD Blue after the first season to appear in forgettable movies like Jade and Kiss of Death, thanks to the show’s lightning-bolt success. (That final one turned out to be foretelling of Caruso’s future in Hollywood.)
After Blue, Caruso found a second professional wind by returning to television for 10 seasons of CSI: Miami, where he played yet another cop. His character Lt. Horatio Caine’s love of puns and dark sunglasses became a cultural phenomenon that Jim Carrey notably parodied. Caruso retired from show business in 2012 after CSI: Miami came to an end, maintaining a low profile ever since. Later, Steven Bochco spoke up about his rocky working relationship with Caruso, describing the actor’s behaviour on the NYPD Blue set as “cancerous” and stating that he made unreasonable demands during his one season on the show ($100,000 per episode, a 38-foot trailer).
Dennis Franz (Andy Sipowicz)
Franz earlier portrayed the equally irritable Lt. Norman Buntz on Bochco’s Hill Street Blues and its forgotten fish-out-of-water spinoff Beverly Hills Buntz, despite being indelibly connected with cantankerous recovering alcoholic Det. Andy Sipowicz. Bochco asked his friend Franz to play the lovable grump Sipowicz, which earned Franz four Emmys (not to mention a memorable nude shower scene we can never unsee.)
Franz departed the entertainment industry in 2005 after the conclusion of NYPD Blue in order to concentrate on a quiet life that probably doesn’t involve slapping suspects with phone books and donning short-sleeved dress shirts with ties. To the joy of fans, he reappeared at the 2016 Emmys, reuniting with former co-star Jimmy Smits. Perhaps it is now appropriate for Netflix to approve Sipowicz: The Frickin’ Golden Years.
Gordon Clapp (Greg Medavoy)
Det. Medavoy provided light relief in the 15th precinct with his incessant motormouth and uncomfortable manner. He was a great addition to his partners Martinez and Jones as well as a skilled detective with a large heart. Medavoy became a fan favourite since he appeared frequently on NYPD Blue for the duration of its existence. (We still wished Donna Abandando had been his wife.)
Gordon Clapp continues to work in theatre (Glengarry Glen Ross on Broadway earned him a Tony nomination), as well as on programmes like Damages and Elementary. He currently plays the recurrent character of Chaplain Orlovsky on Chicago Fire, switching from the Bochco-verse to the Dick Wolf-verse.
Henry Simmons (Det. Jones)
In the sixth season of Blue, Henry Simmons debuted as Baldwin Jones, Medavoy’s new sidekick. As they worked together to compel confessions from “skels,” Jones’ ferocity and Medavoy’s tenacity quickly established themselves as a formidable partnership.
As Mack on Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Simmons is currently a part of the Marvel television universe. He has also appeared on programmes like Shark, Man Up, and Ravenswood.
James McDaniel (Arthur Fancy)
McDaniel’s strong yet calm presence kept the 15th Precinct together as Lt. (then Captain) Arthur Fancy. (Not an easy feat when dealing with that loudmouth Sipowicz, who is racist.) After season eight, McDaniel left the show. Although the precinct had several captains, they couldn’t compare to McDaniel.
McDaniel has maintained a busy schedule since hanging up his Blue rifle and shield, with a lengthy career that includes theatre (Six Degrees of Separation), cinema (Malcolm X), and TV (Sleepy Hollow, The Good Wife). Additionally, he held a prominent role in Steven Bochco’s iconic musical cop procedural Cop Rock.
Jimmy Smits (Bobby Simone)
Jimmy Smits, a star of Steven Bochco’s L.A. Law, was invited to join the cast of NYPD Blue in season two after David Caruso left the programme. When Det. Bobby Simone replaced John Kelly from Caruso as Sipowicz’s partner after Kelly left the force, both admirers and detractors had their doubts at first. Simone, however, immediately assimilated into the precinct and remained there until the sixth season due to Smits’ great performance and natural connection with Franz. It was one of the most heartbreaking episodes of the series when he tragically passed away from a cardiac ailment.
Smits, on the other hand, is healthy and most recently had an appearance on 24: Legacy as Senator Donovan. After Blue, Smits had standout runs on The West Wing (where he had the challenging role of playing the other President), Sons of Anarchy, and Dexter. For the blockbuster movie Rogue One from last year, he also played Senator Bail Organa again, the role he originated in the Star Wars prequels.
Kim Delaney (Diane Russell)
Det. Russell, played by Delaney, was a gritty character whose struggles with alcoholism and turbulent relationships with fellow officers Simone and Sorenson made for some interesting plotlines. Delaney won the Best Supporting Actress Emmy for the role.
Following her departure from Blue, Delaney landed the lead position on Steven Bochco’s brief courtroom drama Philly and briefly co-starred with David Caruso on CSI: Miami. Delaney and Bochco reconnected for a role on his TNT series Murder in the First after working together for six seasons on the Lifetime series Army Wives.
Mark-Paul Gosselaar (John Clark)
Zack Morris himself, Mark-Paul Gosselaar, unexpectedly joined NYPD Blue in season 9 to take Rick Schroder’s place, surprising the audience. Despite Sipowicz’s slow acclimatisation to Gosselaar’s Det. John Clark, the former teen idol held his own against the ensemble and continued on the show until its cancellation in 2005.
Who knew that among the Bayside cast, Gosselaar would turn out to be the best actor? Gosselaar has had appearances on a variety of shows, including Franklin and Bash and the FOX baseball drama Pitch. He has maintained his reputation as a dependable actor on television. In a funny Saved by the Bell reunion on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, he also relived the days when he carried a huge cellphone.
Nicholas Turturro (James Martinez)
The younger brother of John Turturro gained notoriety on NYPD Blue and received an Emmy nomination for his portrayal of Det. James Martinez. Prior to getting promoted to sergeant in season 7 and bidding the 15th precinct farewell, Martinez, who was partnered with Medavoy, was an essential member of the team.
As Sgt. Renzulli on CBS’ Blue Bloods, Turturro rejoined the “blue” brotherhood. In the Justice League Dark animated film, you can hear him voice Deadman, and he demonstrated his comedic talents in movies like Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 and Bucky Larson: Born to Be a Star. In the Eric Roberts film Las Vegas Vietnam: The Movie, which seems like something Medavoy would suggest to Martinez as a buddy police vehicle, you can see him playing the governor.
Sharon Lawrence (ADA Costas)
In the first scene of the NYPD Blue pilot episode, Sylvia Costas was the target of one of Sipowicz’s most infamously vitriolic tirades (“Ipsa this, you pissy little b—h!”). Costas ultimately gave in to Sipowicz’s stern charms and wed the old lug. Sadly, she was fatally shot by the angry heroin addict’s father during season six, leaving Sipowicz to care for their little kid alone himself.
In 1996, Lawrence, who received three Emmy nominations for her work on NYPD Blue, left the show to co-star with Leah Remini in the NBC sitcom Fired Up, which had a brief run. She is a veteran of the TV industry and has starred in hit series like The Last Tycoon on Amazon and Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy, Rizzoli & Isles, and Shameless.
