Dennis Franz
at a rehearsal for the 1994 Emmy Awards
Born	Dennis Franz Schlachta October 28, 1944 (1944-10-28) (age 65) Chicago, Illinois, United States
Occupation	Actor
Years active	1978–present

Dennis Franz (born October 28, 1944) is an American actor best known for his role as Andy Sipowicz, a gritty police detective in the television series NYPD Blue

[edit] Early life

Franz was born Dennis Franz Schlachta in Chicago, Illinois, the son of German immigrants^[1][2][3] Eleanor, a postal worker, and Franz Schlachta, who was a baker and postal worker.^[4] Franz is a graduate of Proviso East High School (in Maywood, Illinois) and Southern Illinois University Carbondale.^[5] After graduating from college, Franz was drafted into the United States Army. He served eleven months with the 82nd Airborne Division in Vietnam.^[6]

[edit] Career

Franz began his acting career at Chicago's Organic Theater Company. Although he has in the past performed Shakespeare, his "look" led to his being typecast early in his career as a police officer. (By Franz' own count, the character of Detective Andy Sipowicz was his 27th role as a police officer). He has also guest-starred in shows such as The A-Team. Other major roles were on the television series Hill Street Blues in which he played two characters over the run of that show: Sal Benedetto and Norm Buntz. He starred in the short-lived Beverly Hills Buntz as the morally-questionable Norman Buntz.

Franz went on to win four Emmy Awards for his portrayal of Andy Sipowicz on NYPD Blue. The character of Sipowicz was ranked #23 on Bravo's 100 Greatest TV Characters list.^[7]

He starred as "Earl", the abusive husband, in the Dixie Chicks' music video "Goodbye Earl" and as Nathaniel Messinger in the 1998 film, City of Angels.

[edit] Filmography

• City of Angels (1998) .... Nathaniel Messinger
• Mighty Ducks the Movie: The First Face-Off (1997) (V) (voice) .... Captain Klegghorn
• American Buffalo (1996) .... Don 'Donny' Dubrow, Owner Rvterbands Variety
• Mighty Ducks (1996) TV Series (voice) .... Captain Klegghorn
• Healing the Hate (1996) (TV) .... Host
• Texas Justice (1995) (TV) .... Richard 'Racehorse' Haynes
• Moment of Truth: Caught in the Crossfire (1994) (TV) .... Gus Payne
• The Simpsons (1994 cameo)
• NYPD Blue (1993-2005) TV Series .... Det. Andy Sipowicz
• In the Line of Duty: Siege at Marion (1992) (TV) .... Bob Bryant
• N.Y.P.D. Mounted (1991) (TV) .... Tony Spampatta
• Nasty Boys (1990) TV Series .... Lt. Stan Krieger (1990)
• Die Hard 2 (1990) .... Capt. Carmine Lorenzo
• Nasty Boys, Part 2: Lone Justice (1990) (TV)
• The Package (1989) .... Lt. Milan Delich
• Kiss Shot (1989) (TV) .... Max Fleischer
• Beverly Hills Buntz (1987) TV Series .... Norman Buntz
• Tales from the Hollywood Hills: Pat Hobby Teamed with Genius (1987) (TV) .... Louie
• A Fine Mess (1986) (uncredited) .... Phil
• Hunter (1985) (TV) ... Sgt. Jackie Malenez, "Snow Queen: Parts 1 & 2."
• Deadly Messages (1985) (TV) .... Detective Max Lucas
• Body Double (1984) .... Rubin
• Bay City Blues (1983) TV Series .... Angelo Carbone (1983)
• Hill Street Blues (1981) TV Series .... Det. Sal Benedetto (1983)/Lt. Norman Buntz (1985–1987)
• Psycho II (1983) .... Warren Toomey
• Chicago Story (1982) TV Series .... Officer Joe Gilland
• Blow Out (1981) .... Manny Karp
• Chicago Story (1981) (TV) .... Officer Joe Gilland
• Popeye (1980) .... Spike
• Dressed to Kill (1980) .... Detective Marino
• Bleacher Bums (1979) (TV)
• A Perfect Couple (1979) .... Costa
• Stony Island (1978) .... Jerry Domino
• A Wedding (1978) .... Koons
• The Fury (1978) .... Bob
• Remember My Name (1978) .... Franks

[edit] References

[edit] External links

United States Army portal

• Dennis Franz at the Internet Movie Database