Series Description

The NYPD Blue TV show was a 60 minute police drama series on ABC that explored the lives of New York's (usually) finest both on the job and in their personal lives. It got a lot of criticism in the beginning by being one of the first series in prime time to air brief nudity and use realistic language. It portrayed cops as they are, normal ... imperfect ... human beings. There were plenty of shootouts, drug busts, car chases and other typical police themes but also more complicated subjects. If a suspect got out of a rape or murder charge on a technicality is it ok to plant drugs in his home to get him off the street? If you know your partner, an otherwise great cop, is taking favors from hookers in return for not arresting them, what should you do? These and other similar questions made this a landmark TV show.

NYPD Blue Cast

Dennis Franz .... Detective Andy Sipowicz (1993-2005)
Gordon Clapp .... Detective Greg Medavoy (1993-2005)
Bill Brochtrup .... John Irvin (1995-2005)
James McDaniel .... Lieutenant Arthur Fancy (1993-2001)
Kim Delaney .... Detective Diane Russell (1995-2003)
Nicholas Turturro .... Detective James Martinez (1993-2000)
Henry Simmons .... Detective Baldwin Jones (2000-2005)
Sharon Lawrence .... Assistant District Attorney Sylvia Costas (1993-1999)
Jimmy Smits .... Detective Bobby Simone (1994-2004)
Mark-Paul Gosselaar .... Detective John Clark, Jr. (2001-2005)
Jacqueline Obradors .... Detective Rita Ortiz (2001-2005)
Garcelle Beauvais .... Assistant District Attorney Valerie Heywood (2001-2004)
Charlotte Ross .... Detective Connie McDowell (1998-2004)
Rick Schroder .... Detective Danny Sorenson (1998-2001)
Andrea Thompson .... Detective Jill Kirkendall (1996-2000)
Esai Morales .... Lieutenant Tony Rodriguez (2001-2004)
Gail O'Grady .... Donna Abandando (1993-1999)
Ray Latulipe .... Josh Astrachan (1995-2005)
Austin Majors .... Theo Sipowicz (1999-2005)
James Luca McBride .... Officer Mike Shannon (1995-2004)
Henry Murph .... N.D. Detective Harold (1996-2004)
Billy Concha .... Officer Miller (1995-2005)
Justine Miceli .... Detective Adrienne Lesniak (1994-1996)
Michael Sabatino .... Officer Martelli (1993-2005)
Michael B. Silver .... Assistant District Attorney Leo Cohen (1996-2004)
Scott Allan Campbell .... Internal Affairs Sergeant Jerry Martens (1994-2004)
John F. O'Donohue .... Detective Eddie Gibson (1994-2004)
Vincent Guastaferro .... Sergeant Vincent Agostini (1993-1997)
David Caruso .... Detective John Kelly (1993-1994)
Amy Brenneman .... Officer Janice Licalsi (1993-1994)
Lourdes Benedicto .... Gina Colon (1996-2000)
Joe Sabatino .... Officer Mackey (1993-2005)
Lola Glaudini .... Dolores Mayo (1996-1999)
Michael Echols .... Officer Lowen (1997-2005)

NYPD Blue Trivia

David Caruso left the series to pursue a movie career. It was greatly publicized and most assumed that he would become a huge star due to the overwhelming popularity of NYPD Blue. Many felt that NYPD Blue simply couldn't survive his loss but audiences soon grew equally fond of Jimmy Smits ("L.A. Law") who replaced him. Then when Smits decided to leave in 1998, the same was said about him but the NYPD Blue TV show went on just fine with his replacement ... Rick Schroder ("Silver Spoons"). Also, Jimmy Smits was offered Caruso's role first! When Smits turned down the role, it was offered to Caruso and the character's name was changed to "John Kelly".

Jimmy Smits has a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Brooklyn College and a Master of Fine Arts Degree from Cornell University. Jimmy wanted to become an actor before he graduated but when he told his parents of his desire, they said he should finish his degree so that he would be able to teach High School Drama.

Dennis Franz ("Hill Street Blues") served 11 months in Vietnam with the 82nd & 101st Airborne Divisions. He was a mailman before becoming an actor. He always takes his pet bird with him when he travels.

The exterior of the 15th precinct on the NYPD Blue TV show was actually the 9th precinct in New York City. The 9th precinct's exterior was also used for the precinct house on the series, "Kojak".

During the summer of 1998, Rick Schroder built his own log cabin! He's also that Hollywood rarity known as a "conservative". He spoke in honor of (Then) Governor George W. Bush at the Republican National Convention in 2000 and he's a member of the National Rifle Association.

Producer Steven Bochco honors his father on NYPD Blue and most of his other productions. Right before the closing credits, you can see his father playing the violin. Actually, they used computer animation and his father's portrait to make it appear as though he's playing the instrument.

TV Specials

NYPD Blue: A Final Tribute (3/1/2005)