Dennis Franz

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Dennis Franz

Franz at a rehearsal for the 1994 Emmy Awards
Born Dennis Franz Schlachta
October 28, 1944 (1944-10-28) (age 67)
Maywood, 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 hard-boiled police detective in the television series NYPD Blue. He previously appeared as Lt. Norman Buntz on Hill Street Blues, and earlier played Detective Benedetto on the same show.

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[edit] Early life

Franz was born Dennis Franz Schlachta in Maywood, 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) 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. Franz first played the role of Officer Sal Benedetto, a corrupt cop in the 1983 season, who later kills himself. Due to his popularity with fans, he returned in 1985 as Lt. Norm Buntz, remaining until the show's end in 1987. 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", as Captain Carmine Lorenzo in the 1990 action film Die Hard 2 and as Nathaniel Messinger in the 1998 film, City of Angels.

[edit] Filmography

[edit] References

  1. ^ SMOKE 03/98 - Dennis Franz
  2. ^ TV HEROES: #6: Dennis Franz.(Features) - The Independent (London, England) - HighBeam Research
  3. ^ News-Record.com: Archives Search: 01 results for search "( (unq:"0EAF85A3C033421C") ) "
  4. ^ Dennis Franz Biography (1944-)
  5. ^ Utterback, Wayne (2007-04-19). "Emprace the 'Dark': Author, SIUC alumnus reprints book about Strip". Daily Egyptian: pp. 7. 
  6. ^ Dennis Franz - Trailer - Showtimes - Cast - Movies - The New York Times
  7. ^ The 100 Greatest TV Characters: Famous Television Stars and Pop Icons - Official Bravo TV Site

[edit] External links

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