The Real Reason You Don't Hear About Dennis Franz Anymore

[@Looper]

When you think "TV cop" do you think Dennis Franz?

[@jeremycheng3998]

Who?

[@carrrexx7190]

No, Kojak, Baretta, Colombo, Karl Malden, Toma, Burt Reynolds, Mod Squad, "Solid", more my ilk. eh, I know, last century tv heroes.

[@carrrexx7190]

@@jeremycheng3998 Pete Townsend, Roger daultry, Keith moon, John eintwistle, that's WHO.

[@CraigSteelyard]

A cool episode of the A-Team

[@HyperActive7]

Andy Sipowicz and Die Hard Two are the ones I remember the most where his character really came out. I dare you to say asshole in Franz's Chicago accent :D

[@ogivecrush]

Never forget he served 11 months in Vietnam with the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions. A lot of good people weren't able to make much sense out of life after their time over there, much less work constantly as actors. He did enough.

[@christopherhanna5754]

Word.

[@RodFleming-World]

He was 61 when he packed it in. Not owing us anything. Great actor

[@paulmanly3694]

Met him in Arundel West Sussex, on his Travels, had a nice chat, lovely guy.

[@joemckim1183]

And he probably felt there was no way he was going to be able to top his Sipowicz performance when he probably would've only been getting other cop offers after the show ended.

[@andylane247]

@@paulmanly3694 That would be a damn good day...

[@bigbabysld]

The man retired...that's it, believe it or not sum actors retire on a high note. Good for him

[@Bill23799]

I am unanimous in that.

[@mattparr3038]

100%

[@paulzammataro7185]

He earned it

[@oldcdog91]

I'm glad you guys did this one. NYPD Blue is one of favorite shows of all time and Franz was the main reason. The evolution of Andy Sipowicz was acting at its best.

[@timhobbs1229]

I had the honer to meet and spend time with Dennis and his wife when I worked on theyr Idaho home for several months, when they turned an old girl scout camp into a gorgus home. I found his wife and him to be very likeable, and friendly during for them to be both a excited and stressful time. I truly injoyed our frequent conversations. I found the two to be humble and kind. I've met many celebraties in my life, and can truly say Dennis is the real deal. He's not like the caricatures hes potraid. But very likeable. God bless you Dennis and your wife. I hope yo bump into the two of you again

[@harryhardonhardon7622]

I hope you weren’t the one that installed his faulty chandelier…..

[@byronjones9299]

He wasn't Robert Redford , and He wasn't Steve Mc Queen either, This Man was an Actor, that became The Character, and You just don't see this that often anymore.

[@rickcicalo410]

By fluke I was paired with Dennis Franz on a golf course at a resort in Mexico. Played golf and rode in a cart with him for over 4 hours. One of the nicest people I ever met.

[@bogee4u]

what did he shoot??

[@jgee4073]

You’re lucky. I played in the Child Help tournament in Palm Springs 2:27 hosted by Cheryl Ladd. Every foursome included a celebrity. I got Kato Kaelin!

[@CRL73hippo]

Dennis Franz is a class act all around. A great actor and a great man.

[@jasonfernandes8557]

Agreed he is a great guy 👍

[@elizabethmckenna5397]

I’m glad to see that he’s retired and enjoying life. I’m equally glad that he shared his incredible talent with the world on the big and small screen. NYPD Blue will always be a lifetime favorite for me because of Dennis Franz and the amazing casts of actors and actresses who made that show an experience every single week. No emotion was left unfelt. It was simply the best.

[@soulbot119]

... are you Dennis' mom?

[@redrust3]

Dennis Franz is 75 years old. He can retire if he wants to.

[@redrust3]

Szechwan Tibetan Cartoons anime Is English your second language?

[@wilrobles9824]

I didn't realize he was that old. 75? Ideal retirement age.

[@eddiewinehosen6665]

Well he retired when he was 61. They clearly say in the video he retired 2005 when NYPD Blue ended.

[@Vnachi8]

Rewatching NYPD Blue, I forgot how well Franz and Jimmy Smits played off of each other.

[@lt4324]

One of the BEST shows of the 90's IMO, never missed after a friend told me about it! It sure was "groundbreaking" in some scenes! Nudity never seen on TV in that era.

[@irina1296]

He was brilliant in NYPD Blue. I miss him

[@gorrington007]

And hey, hey... Let's be careful out there.

[@edwardbronston1099]

@@gorrington007 That was a different actor (Michael Conrad) on a different series (Hill Street Blues).

[@raymondmcmenemy303]

Yeah. Andy Sipowitz was a great character played superbly by Dennis Franz.

[@GTC528]

@@edwardbronston1099 Franz was on Hill Street blues as well

[@eddiebronston]

@@GTC528 Yes, I didn't say he wasn't. I was saying that his character wasn't the one who said "Let's be careful out there".

[@JOYOUSONEX]

He's a good actor. Put a lot into his characters.

[@JamesBiggar]

"12 years is a long time to hold a job, so he just retired". You say that likes it's normal...

[@ChrisMaxfieldActs]

Franz had been acting for over 30 years by the end of NYPD Blue. 12 years is a very long time for an actor to play the same character on the same show, and 12 years of TV money, which grows exponentially as the seasons pass, left him in a very comfortable position, I am sure.

[@ozlass7778]

Chris Maxfield Well said. After all, Dennis was quoted in this video as pretty much saying, he'd had enough of being typecast as a cop. And he almost didn't take the role in NYPD Blue, as it would be the 28th time he had played a cop. But he did it. Was paid well for it. Earned the accolades that he deserved. And he was finally done. He was getting into his 60's by then too. And he could afford to take it easy and enjoy his golden years.

[@CSC52698]

We may not see him anymore, but he's one of those faces that will never be forgotten.

[@scottyg5403]

Great actor! NYPD Blue great show! Andy Sipowicz one of the best characters ever! I still enjoy the reruns!

[@trudybrereton6003]

Watching Blue right now! Good series

[@jasonfernandes8557]

@@trudybrereton6003 agreed NYPD Blue is a great series 👍

[@scuzzbecuzz]

I have watched the last scene of NYPD BLUE several times!. He is such an incredible actor and I miss him!

[@Valor_73737]

Years ago I had a brief encounter with Mr. Franz in a terminal at the LAX airport! I found him to be a very pleasant person, the kind of person one would enjoy as a friend, or just spend an afternoon with. Unlike so many in his profession.

[@samjeremy6276]

Great actor! Loved him with Bruce Willis on die hard 2

[@mikeygoodboi]

My favorite role of his.

[@anthonyburke5656]

This man gave new dimensions to TV drama, credit him, the writers and Director. I know why he retired, he spent his first lifetime in 11 months in SVN, then his second lifetime in NYPD. I hope his third lifetime is long and healthy.

[@euanelliott3613]

I first saw him in Psycho 2 as the motel manager Mr Tuhey and then in Hill Street Blues. He was also in Die Hard 2. He was a fine character actor, as Telly Savalas was. Always gave compelling and enjoyable portrayals of tough, uncompromising guys who saw it their way and noone else's. Great work, in everything.

[@larryhall2805]

My favorite character he played was the vicious, corrupt and complicated Sal Benedetto on Hill Street Blues.

[@robw9435]

Didn't he also beat up Dirty Harry Callahan in Sudden Impact?

[@camutodragon1]

He played a cop well before this on a TV show called Hill Street Blues.

[@johnkelly2422]

Let’s be careful out there...

[@jdejonge55]

Let’s do it to them before they do it to us

[@Slow_Horse]

Norman Buntz!

[@BertBlanco1962]

@@jdejonge55 Stan Jablonsky !

[@BertBlanco1962]

@@jdejonge55 Phil Esterhaus!

[@morganjones1966]

Mr Franz if you see this i just have to say from everyone in the UK . We miss you on tv /film loved u in HILL STREET BLUES and NYPD BLUES and when ever i find you in a film thank you for all your work ...

[@vernonhedge4530]

Used to love him as Bunce in Hill Street Blues, not seen his later stuff.

[@blackie_blacksheep]

Vernon-- you really ought to watch NYPD Blue. Ran from around 1993-2005; dozens and dozens of episodes. I think it's on both Hulu and Amazon Prime.

[@christopherfritz3840]

What.. you were in "China" during the 90's🙄?

[@BertBlanco1962]

Its Buntz, Norman Buntz,

[@martydav9475]

@@blackie_blacksheep NYPD Blue was one of the finest dramas ever made.Much darker than Steven Bochco's other great drama the glorious Hill Street Blues.The writing and acting were superb. It quickly became compelling. It was as good as the later HBO dramas "Six Feet Under, "The Sopranos" and "The Wire". How sad it was that Steven Bochco died last year. He was married to Barbara Bosson, who of course played Capt. Furillo's ex-wife Faye in Hill Street Blues, from 1970-1997.

[@hendrinavorster5758]

He received more rewards from his fans hearts and thoughts. than any actor ever.This was true acting .God bless him with His Oscar

[@th-cc6ei]

To this day, this show stands out and is very underrated as an all time classic. People forget the language , nudity and situations that are now common today. This show opened those doors. And they did it all in the very first episode. As an alcoholic in recovery , Andy is a spitting image of me or maybe me of him. I am so happy they released all 12 seasons I'm starting my love for this show all over again today with season 1 episode 1. And I still get the chills lol

[@pcdm43145]

@Ellen Peba Ohhh... the good ol' *H&I* channel from WWOR-TV... how their nightly _Star Trek_ and _NYPD Blue_ reruns have ruined my sleep schedule, hahaha. Every time I say, "maybe just this one episode..." I know I'm doomed.

[@beverlyoneil8427]

I love their use of language, and the Sipowicz one-liners are priceless! Very well written!

[@beekay5914]

NYPD Blue was the best TV series of all time, and Sipowicz was the most interesting character. If I met Dennis Franz on the street, I would ask him for five minutes so I could tell him how much I love his work on the show. I have seen him in interviews, and he comes across as a jovial and friendly person. Blessings upon him!

[@larryhall2805]

I noticed that, too. In the interview I seen, he came across as a mild mannered school teacher.

[@downhilltwofour0082]

Dennis Franz proved that there is something more that height or good looks that makes a person special.

[@bohunter1949]

One hell of a guy like watching him in tv series and movies. He always gave his all is to relate too. Thanks Dennis Franz for the memories.

[@HyperActive7]

He's the only cop that's truly made me cry more than once on NYPD Blue. He is such a master at his role and such a great father figure to look up to in the series. You'd want your dad to be him!

[@th-cc6ei]

The battle with alcohol is what I relate to most.

[@VeganTrove]

I miss him as an actor. He's great.

[@NGMonocrom]

Hey! He's old! He made a bunch of money playing that role. Let him enjoy this money and the time he has left on this planet. Some people his age are still working crappy jobs and likely will be until the day they literally drop dead. Likely at their job! Retirement is just a lovely dream for a lot of older Americans nowadays.

[@christiank1251]

Looks like Franz made a better exit from NYPD Blue than Caruso, his partner in season one. Pity, loved both. Thanks for the good times.

[@chriskleckner1659]

Dennis Franz served in Vietnam by jumping out of aircraft.

[@tacitusthehistories5417]

Great that he retired but I really miss the character. The man is intense.

[@michaelr.2428]

He was the cop we want out there protecting us. I hope he has a good life..

[@barbarapoarch9420]

Loved him on NYPD Blues.

[@jonanderson5142]

Just Finished NYPDBLUES again. Dennis Franz is missed would love to see him in something again 👍

[@MarkInLA]

I admire him for knowing when the time came that he didn't need anymore $$$ to enjoy life.... God, if i had even 1 million I could live happily the rest of my life... PS. If you've never seen DaVinci's Inquest, do.. On You/tube...Very very close to NYPD Blue realism style....

[@mandymayne8759]

My favorite role of his was not as a cop. It was as the Director of the low budget horror movie in “Body Double.” A quick clip is shown at 1:56 in this video. Franz also has the distinction of being in the scene where one of Hollywood’s worst gaffs concerning firearms was ever uttered. Bruce Willis tells him about the bad guy having a “Glock 7” thar is a “porcelain gun” that “doesn’t show up on your airport x-ray machines.” In reality, it was a Glock 17, and has no parts made from porcelain. It’s frame is a polymer, but it’s slide (as well as other parts) are steel and it most certainly shows up on x-ray machines and metal detectors.

[@joebutlersnr7017]

My kind of man , its dead easy to enjoy retirement. love this fella.

[@cieranthane1]

Even though I've seen it many times, I just finished watching Die Hard 2 where he played the airport police captain at Dulles Airport. Wonder if he'll come out of retirement for awhile since their rebooting (continuing) NYPD Blue.

[@johnbell5428]

Doubtful. It's about the adult Theo looking for his father's killer.

[@gvc56100]

Ran across Dennis Franz in NYC while out with my wife, super nice guy...

[@michaelziggiotto1164]

Andy Sipowitz is my all time favorite tv character! I find myself as I get older to be more like him,with the exception of being a Detective! I also loved Franz’s role as Warren Toomey in Psycho II! Thanks for all the NYPD memories👍👍👍!

[@darrenheadrick3669]

When you've done perfect work what's the use of trying more. As much as I loved NYPD Blue and dennis Franzs character Andy Sipowizs. He could never top that and I don't think I want to see him doing anymore. Some actors don't know when to stop. Dennis Franz did.

[@Bill23799]

Detective Spiowiecz would be great on " Blue Bloods " working as chief of Jamie's Precinct's night squad.

[@mattparr3038]

Good on the man! Been acting for so many years, you cant blame him for wanting to get away from the camera, and doing nothing.

[@jasonsmith4330]

I loved NYPD Blue and remember him fondly for his role in the Package as Gene Hackman's old army buddy/cop. I read he spends time with his grandchildren and enjoying retirement and as was noted still reads scripts but only wants something really good. Would love to know what Andy Sipowicz was up to since leaving the department or having him show up in NCIS, but wish him all the best after many good roles. The roles where he wasn't a cop he did great, but I don't think he was so much typecast as he played a great cop.

[@dwhunter8904]

As a retired LEO, I almost despise “cop shows”. NYPD Blue was the exception....I really liked that and enjoy the re-runs.

[@chrischar9428]

He was what all actors aspired to be working actor

[@kathrynbellerose6216]

Loved him great actor. He retired and l hope he enjoys each and every day. He definitely deserves it. 🌞🌈❤️

[@vernonsmithee792]

Sat across the aisle from him on a commuter flight around 2000. Nice guy, no pretensions.

[@trajan75]

One of the few Vietnam combat vets to star in the new Hollywood. Quite a change from WW2. AIRBORNE Dennis. Enjoy your well earned retirement. But if something good comes along, you've plenty of fans left.

[@ianwilliamson8161]

A great actour let him enjoy his retirement

[@SalmiakAlert]

He was good in Hill Street Blues

[@kilogram064]

I thought the Dixie Chicks killed him in the video for "Goodbye Earl".

[@briansadler5225]

The real reason: he’s retired, duh

[@snozzybosch7503]

He was Sipowitz….. if any harm came to someone you loved, he’s the cop that you would want “working the case”.

[@beekay5914]

Sipowicz was my favorite TV character of all time. Brilliant portrayal.

[@dekuzilla91]

Love to see him back but if he wants to retire let him he has earned it.

[@seanm.1813]

Would have loved to seen him cast in The Wire.

[@johnkochen7264]

Using the words “butt”, “crack” and “juicy” inside of 3 sentences has to be some kind of record.

[@jayf8308]

Thanks for catching that for me.

[@jasonfernandes8557]

I really enjoyed watching NYPD Blue love the way Dennis Franz perfected the character Andy Sipowicz he is a terrific Guy and a terrific actor I still enjoy watching the rerun's of NYPD Blue the series had a very terrific cast love seeing Andy Sipowicz and Bobby simone together they were really great together 👍

[@brentanllewellyn3898]

Totally amazing actor. I always believed him.

[@__hjg__2123]

hope he makes a cameo with the grown-up Theo on the NYPDB re-boot

[@calvineis5273]

He was also on hill street blues,awesome actor!!

[@Docstantinople]

Tell him I got a job for him: Detective First Grade, New York City Homicide.

[@MageBlackstone]

Haha, I see what you did there.

[@davidkosa]

There's something to be said about packing it in at the peak, then looking back with pride on a career well-served.

[@sunny71169]

It's amazing to realize how well NYPD Blue stayed fresh and exciting through 12 seasons with characters coming and going and NCIS turned to crap after Cote de Pablo, then Michael Weatherly, then Pauley Parrette left the show.

[@waynesimpson2074]

Andy Sipowitz was the best character developed TV detective ever, those 12 years were well spent. A truly three dimensional character. I lost all interest in TV after the end of NYPD Blue. Thanks Dennis.

[@ChiCan76]

Would love to see some new work from this amazing man (Franz, not Looper ;-)

[@mukhumor]

The 'Real' reason... he retired. Wow that was a blow.

[@annecoonce1488]

I think an appearance on a Law and Order Crimal Intent with Stabler would be very interesting. I truly enjoyed NYPD Blues and all of Dick Wolfe's work. 💙

[@mikeyfoxy8794]

Didn't he play two characters in Hill Street. Bennedetto (bad cop) and ???

[@halloweenjack8655]

Norman Buntz, Actually got a spin off show...Sadly didn't work out. Beverly Hills Buntz.

[@budrohammbone2806]

GOOD for You, Dennis ! Though I do agree w/ Looper when I think of a badass, no BS Cop on TV they do look exactly like Dennis Franz. Hill Street Blues is one of my all time favorite shows.

[@christinsorianojr.9929]

Mr. Dennis Franz the real NUMBER ONE TV COP.

[@lensmith1870]

I worked for Dennis couple of times off and on, very nice upfront honest guy.. always dressed very classy.... guess I should explain I had character on Wheels it was a Fleetwood Motorhomes converted for makeup and wardrobe on location one of the nicest cleanest kindness person I ever had in my motorhome

[@TheFuriousfunk]

He's 75, cop roles are 15 years ago. I miss him, just finished watching NYPD Blue through again for the 5 millionth time.

[@bmarkyt132]

We never see nypd blue on tv here in U.K. anymore. It should be on Netflix.

[@smorris281]

I really liked Franz's role on Hill Street Blues. Hes pretty much playing the same character on NYPD Blue. Plot twist, Buntz and Sipowicz are the same person.

[@marcomartinez3263]

Did you know that when I heard him say his favorite Frase “ Braking balls”, so I googled it, and can you guess where it took me back to? Right back to detective sipowicz. What a trip, I thought it was a regular daily Frase people use in New York, but I was wrong. My favorite actor

[@Bull1908]

Some actors never truly walk away from acting due to money or favors. Dennis sounds like a guy who took care of his money, has his priorities right with his family and ended his career on a high note with NYPD Blue.

[@jasonrobertson216]

They forgot City Of Angels too, he was easily my favorite character of that entire movie.

[@shawnlittle9234]

If there was ever an actor that nailed a character in a tv show it was Franz in NYPD BLUE. William H Macy also did so in Shamless as Frank Gallagher . Both outstanding in their portrayal of their characters. Not likely he would come back at his age if they did a reboot on nypd blue but I’d love to see him run the 13th precinct as the boss. I’d love to see him jamming up some perps and skels !

[@Dopecheetah]

I was just thinking about what happen to Denis Franz. Yesterday in fact. You were reading my mind.

[@matthewhudson7883]

You're not the only one. Sometime in the past few days I remembered that Diet Pepsi commercial he was in where he played a tough guy that threw Diet Pepsi into the face of a guy tied to a chair. He was enjoyable to watch in his roles.

[@silverhawk5191]

Dennis Franz would have made a real good Police Detective

[@joemurdoch4138]

It's a shame Scorsese didn't have a role for him in the Irishman. Talented actor. If I was a director, this is one of those actors I would call every time I had a script with a role that was remotely the type of thing he would play. I also have to respect an actor who knows when its time to walk away. So many don't and end up phoning it in on garbage.

[@defenestratedjack1800]

Hell of an actor.

[@reddavis4808]

I would guess because he is 77 years old. Not everyone wants to work till they drop dead. Great actor.

[@darkestserenity6775]

watching NYPD Blue for the first time and Dennis Franz is the best one in it always liked him since Hill street blues a stand out actor

[@ryandaniel7347]

Dennis Franz rules he is such a wonderful actor. I would watch anything that he is in. I wish him the best of luck in his life.

[@joemckim1183]

Franz probably made a ton of money from NYPD Blue and since he was mostly known for playing cops in his career wasn't going to be able to top that performance. Franz stopped acting in 2005 after the show ended but looking at his filmography I don't think he acted in anything else other than the show after 1998.

[@nommadd5758]

He played two different characters on Hill Street Blues. The first one was a corrupt cop that ends up dyeing (can't remember the name). Then, (the next season?), they wrote him into the show as "Norman Buntz". Really miss both "Hill Street Blues" & "NYPD Blue"! (NYPD Blue was originally centered around David Caruso's character, John Kelly. When he left the show after the first season Dennis Franz became the lead.)

[@paulzammataro7185]

Sal Benedetto (if my memory serves me well)

[@MarkInLA]

This bugs me: I've been watching the repeats at 1am Ch13-4 in Los Angeles as I missed many when they were new. When David Caruso entered the show they never should have made him the star over Franz !! Franz is/was the official face of Blue. I think Caruso demanded star position or he'd walk if he didn't get billed that way...It's just that it's tough to see Dennis as 2nd billing/ a co-star.. Maybe Dennis needed the $ and accepted the de-ranking for that reason...To me that was a wrong move, production-wise, for we the aficionados of NYPD Blue ..... M

[@mosierbuild]

But in the end Dennis Franz had the last laugh!! David and his ego flamed out and Dennis was NYPD Blue!!

[@edwardbronston1099]

Caruso didn't "enter" NYPD Blue", he was an original cast member.

[@michaelvaughn8864]

God bless him in his retirement😇 He was an awesome all around the board actor and former Special Forces Army Ranger in Vietnam.....WOW👍 Enough said......I liked him as Det. Marino in Dressed To Kill

[@claudiaivy104]

Well Dennis, I do hope to hear from You again!!

[@karenpagnoni5919]

Best actor ever! Miss him.

[@SomethingStrange1579]

Hope everyone's having a great monday

[@nautrin1733]

Thanks, you too man!

[@dep7041]

yep having the best

[@Docstantinople]

Fahk yooo!

[@rony41165]

The same can be said for his first NYPDBLUE partner David Caruso who after leaving the show he struggled before landing the role of horatio Caine on CSI Miami which he played for ten years and hasn’t been seen since.