. . . Where Are They Now? . . .
Hello fans,

Dennis Franz really became known for playing Detective Andy Sipowicz on the television series NYPD Blue, but did you know that he has played a cop almost 30 times in his career? Guess he just has that tough guy image! I also didn't know that he grew up in the Chicagoland area, not far from me! What else can we learn about this talented actor? Keep reading to find out!

Take care,
Melissa

View Past Issues: Where Are They Now? Archives

DEAD OR ALIVE?
See if you know if the following celebrities have had a visit from the "Grim Reaper":

Fernando Lamas: Argentine-born actor who played a lot "Latin lovers" in his early movies, he appeared in "The Merry Widow", "Dangerous When Wet", "The Cheap Detective" and other films

William Bendix: Starred as Chester Riley in the radio series, TV series and movie "The Life of Riley", known for his signature line "What a revoltin' development THIS is!", appeared in the movies "Lifeboat" and "The Glass Key"

Armin Shimerman: Played Quark in the TV series "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine" and Principal Snyder in the series "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"

(Answer at the bottom)
Dennis Franz
Learn More About Dennis Franz at Celebrity Nooz

BIRTH DATE: October 28, 1944, Maywood, Illinois

CLAIM TO FAME: He is best known for his role as Andy Sipowicz, a hard boiled police detective in the television series NYPD Blue.

FAMILY LIFE: He has been married to Joanie Zeck since 1995. He is stepfather to Joanie's two children: Tricia (b. 1974) and Krista (b. 1976).

INFO: In 1972, Franz began his acting career when he joined the Organic Theatre Company. Robert Altman discovered him at an audition and told him to go to Los Angeles, where he became part of Altman's resident company.

He made his film debut in Brian De Palma's The Fury (1978), and made his television debut as beat cop Joe Gilland in the 1982 TV series Chicago Story.

He began working closely with producer Steven Bochco, first appearing on 1983's short-lived Bay City Blues as baseball coach Angelo Carbone.

He then appeared in two different roles - unscrupulous detective Sal Benedetto and streetwise lieutenant Norman Buntz - on the drama Hill Street Blues. In 1993, Franz worked with Bochco again on the series NYPD Blue as Detective Andy Sipowicz, a role that has won him many awards.

Franz has also appeared in several films, and has also done cartoon voice work, including for The Mighty Ducks (1996).

TRIVIA: Is a graduate of Proviso East High School (in Maywood) and Southern Illinois University Carbondale.

Was drafted into the United States Army and served eleven months with the 82nd Airborne Division in Vietnam.

Won four Emmy Awards for his portrayal of Andy Sipowicz on NYPD Blue.

Wore a wig and zombie make-up to play the title character in the Dixie Chicks' 1999 video "Goodbye Earl."

Has played a cop nearly 30 times in his career.

His character Sipowicz was ranked #23 on Bravo's 100 Greatest TV Characters list.

WHERE IS HE NOW: This year, Franz has been encouraging Americans to get screened for colorectal cancer, and has taken steps to decrease his risk of getting the cancer that took his dad's life. In a USA Today article from 1/22/11, Franz said that he quit eating red meat, put himself on a low carbohydrate diet, reduced his drinking, and even quit smoking.

Franz gets regular check-ups and colon screenings, and wishes everyone would do the same. "I encourage everyone to discuss colorectal screening and by all means to get the exam for yourself, your family, and loved ones," urged Franz in the article. "Get checked early and avoid the heartache."

WRITE TO DENNIS FRANZ:
Dennis Franz
2300 Century Hill #75
Los Angeles, CA 90067-3507

CREDITS:
1993-2005 NYPD Blue (TV series)

1998 City of Angels...Nathaniel Messinger

1997 Mighty Ducks the Movie: The First Face-Off (video)...Captain Klegghorn (voice)

1996 Mighty Ducks (TV series)...Captain Klegghorn
A Traitor Among Us
The First Face-Off: Part 2
The First Face-Off: Part 1

1996 American Buffalo...Don

1996 Healing the Hate (TV movie)...Host

1995 Texas Justice (TV movie)...Richard 'Racehorse' Haynes

1994 Moment of Truth: Caught in the Crossfire (TV movie)...Gus Payne

1992 In the Line of Duty: Siege at Marion (TV movie)...Bob Bryant

1991 Civil Wars (TV series)
Pilot (1991)

1991 N.Y.P.D. Mounted (TV movie)...Anthony 'Tony' Spampatta

1990 Nasty Boys (TV series)...Lt. Stan Krieger

1990 Die Hard 2...Capt. Carmine Lorenzo

1990 Nasty Boys, Part 2: Lone Justice (TV movie)

1989 Christine Cromwell (TV series)...Detective Grainger
Easy Come, Easy Go

1989 The Package...Lt. Milan Delich

1989 Kiss Shot (TV movie)...Max Fleischer

1989 Matlock (TV series)...Jack Brennert
The Mayor: Part 2
The Mayor: Part 1

1987-1988 Beverly Hills Buntz (TV series)...Norman Buntz

1983-1987 Hill Street Blues (TV series)...Lt. Norman Buntz / Det. Sal Benedetto

1987 Tales from the Hollywood Hills: Pat Hobby Teamed with Genius (TV movie)...Louie

1986 A Fine Mess...Phil

1985 Runaway Train...Cop (uncredited)

1985 Scene of the Crime (TV series)...Pat Grandy
A Vote for Murder

1985 Street Hawk (TV series)...Frank Menlo
Female of the Species

1984-1985 The A-Team (TV series)...Brooks / Sam Friendly
Beverly Hills Assault
Chopping Spree

1985 Hunter (TV series)...Sgt. Jackie Molinas
The Snow Queen: Part 2
The Snow Queen: Part 1

1985 Deadly Messages (TV movie)...Detective Max Lucas

1985 MacGruder and Loud (TV series)...Roche
On the Wire

1984-1985 Hardcastle and McCormick (TV series)...Joe Hayes / Tony Boutros
There Goes the Neighborhood
Did You See the One That Got Away?

1985 Simon & Simon (TV series)...Frank Mahoney
Almost Foolproof

1984 T.J. Hooker (TV series)...Andros Margolis
Hardcore Connection

1984 Body Double...Rubin the Director

1984 E/R (TV series)
The Sister (1984)

1984 Riptide (TV series)...Earl Bertane
Double Your Pleasure

1983 Scarface...Immigration Officer (voice) (uncredited)

1983 Bay City Blues (TV series)...Angelo Carbone

1983 Psycho II...Warren Toomey

1982 Chicago Story (TV series)...Off. Joe Gilland

1981 Blow Out...Manny Karp

1981 Chicago Story (TV movie)...Officer Joe Gilland

1980 Popeye...Spike - a Tough

1980 Dressed to Kill...Detective Marino

1979 Bleacher Bums (TV movie)...Zig

1979 A Perfect Couple...Costa

1978 Stony Island...Jerry Domino

1978 A Wedding...Koons

1978 The Fury...Bob Eggleston

1978 Remember My Name...Franks

To see Then & Now pictures of Dennis Franz, visit: Celebrity Nooz

Answers to DEAD OR ALIVE
Fernando Lamas - DEAD (CANCER)
Born: 01/09/1915 Died: 10/08/1982

William Bendix - DEAD (Pneumonia)
Born: 01/14/1906 Died: 12/14/1964

Armin Shimerman - ALIVE
Born: 11/05/1949

WHO PASSED ON THIS WEEK...
7/6
Mani Kaul, 66, Indian filmmaker, after long illness.

7/5
Mika Myllyla, 41, Finnish Olympic gold medal-winning (1998) cross country skier.
Gordon Tootoosis, 69, Canadian actor and activist, pneumonia.
Cy Twombly, 83, American painter, cancer.
Shinji Wada, 61, Japanese mangaka (Sukeban Deka).

7/4
Otto von Habsburg, 98, Austro-Hungarian royal and politician, MEP (1979-1999).
Zurab Kapianidze, 74, Georgian actor and politician, MP (1999-2003).
Josh Lichtle, 23, American motocross rider, heat stroke.
Pablo McNeil, 71, Jamaican Olympic athlete, former coach of Usain Bolt, after long illness.
Jane Scott, 92, American rock music critic.
Zainuddin Muhammad Zain, 60, Indonesian Islamic cleric and politician, heart attack.

7/3
Fernando Arean, 67, Argentine footballer and coach.
Francis King, 88, British writer.
Anna Massey, 73, British actress (Frenzy, Hotel du Lac), cancer.
Len Sassaman, 31, American cryptographer, suicide.