Dennis Franz facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Dennis Franz
|
|
|---|---|
.jpg)
Franz in 2008
|
|
| Born |
Dennis Franz Schlachta
October 28, 1944 Maywood, Illinois, U.S.
|
| Alma mater |
|
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1978–2005 |
| Spouse(s) |
Joanie Zeck
(m. 1995) |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1968-1969 |
| Unit | 82nd Airborne Division 101st Airborne Division |
| Battles/wars | Vietnam War |
Dennis Franz Schlachta (born October 28, 1944), known as Dennis Franz, is an American actor who is now retired. He is most famous for playing Detective Andy Sipowicz in the TV show NYPD Blue. This role won him many awards, including a Golden Globe Award and four Primetime Emmy Awards. He also played different characters in other TV shows like Hill Street Blues.
Contents
Early Life and Military Service
Where Dennis Franz Grew Up
Dennis Franz was born on October 28, 1944, in Maywood, Illinois. His parents were immigrants from Germany. His mother, Eleanor, worked for the postal service. His father, Franz, was a baker and also worked for the postal service. Dennis has two older sisters.
His School Days
Dennis went to Proviso East High School in Maywood and graduated in 1962. While in high school, he was very active in sports. He played baseball and football, and he was also on the swimming team. After high school, he went to Wilbur Wright College. Later, he studied at Southern Illinois University Carbondale. He earned a degree in speech and theater in 1968.
Serving in the Army
After finishing college, Dennis Franz joined the United States Army. He served for eleven months during the Vietnam War. He was part of two important army groups: the 82nd Airborne Division and the 101st Airborne Division.
Dennis Franz's Acting Career
Starting Out as an Actor
Dennis Franz began his acting journey at the Organic Theater Company in Chicago. Early in his career, he often played police officers. In fact, the character of Andy Sipowicz was his 28th role as a police officer! He also appeared as a guest star on popular shows like The A-Team and Hunter.
Famous TV Roles
Dennis Franz played two different characters on the TV series Hill Street Blues. First, he was Detective Sal Benedetto in 1982–1983. Later, he returned in 1985 as Lieutenant Norman Buntz. He stayed on the show until it ended in 1987. He also starred as Norman Buntz in a spin-off show called Beverly Hills Buntz.
.jpg)
His most famous role was Detective Andy Sipowicz on NYPD Blue. He played this character from 1993 to 2005. For this role, he won four Emmy Awards. The character of Sipowicz was even named one of the 100 greatest TV characters.
Movies and Voice Acting
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Dennis Franz worked with famous directors like Brian De Palma and Robert Altman. He appeared in several of their movies. He also played Captain Carmine Lorenzo in the 1990 movie Die Hard 2. His last movie role was in 1998, in the film City of Angels.
Dennis Franz also did voice acting. In 1994, he voiced himself in an episode of The Simpsons called "Homer Badman". He also voiced Captain Klegghorn in the Disney cartoon Mighty Ducks: The Animated Series.
Other Appearances
In 2000, Dennis Franz appeared in the music video for the Dixie Chicks' song "Goodbye Earl". The next year, he competed on the TV game show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. He won $250,000 for a charity that helps with cancer research.
Life After NYPD Blue
After NYPD Blue ended in 2005, Dennis Franz decided to retire from acting. He wanted to focus on his personal life. He has said that he might act again if the right opportunity comes along. He and his wife spend their summers at their home in Northern Idaho. In 2016, he made a surprise appearance at the 2016 Primetime Emmy Awards with his former NYPD Blue co-star, Jimmy Smits. They presented an award together.
Personal Life
Dennis Franz married Joanie Zeck in 1995. They first met in 1982. Dennis is a stepfather to Joanie's two daughters from her previous marriage.
Filmography
Movies Dennis Franz Appeared In
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | Mickey One | Minor Role in Dressing Room | Uncredited |
| 1978 | Remember My Name | Franks | |
| 1978 | The Fury | Bob Eggleston | |
| 1978 | Towing | Bar Patron | Uncredited |
| 1978 | A Wedding | Koons | |
| 1978 | Stony Island | Jerry Domino | |
| 1979 | A Perfect Couple | Costa | |
| 1980 | Dressed to Kill | Detective Marino | |
| 1980 | Popeye | Spike | |
| 1981 | Blow Out | Manny Karp | |
| 1983 | Psycho II | Warren Toomey | |
| 1983 | Scarface | Immigration Officer | Voice, uncredited |
| 1984 | Body Double | Rubin | |
| 1985 | Runaway Train | Cop | Uncredited |
| 1986 | A Fine Mess | Phil | |
| 1989 | The Package | Lt. Milan Delich | |
| 1990 | Die Hard 2 | Captain Carmine Lorenzo | |
| 1991 | The Sid Story | Sid | Video short |
| 1992 | The Player | Himself | |
| 1996 | American Buffalo | Don Dubrow | |
| 1997 | Mighty Ducks the Movie: The First Face-Off | Captain Klegghorn | Voice |
| 1998 | City of Angels | Nathaniel Messinger |
TV Shows Dennis Franz Appeared In
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Bleacher Bums | Zig | Television movie |
| 1980 | Chicago Story | Officer Joe Gilland | Television movie |
| 1982 | Chicago Story | Officer Joe Gilland | 13 episodes |
| 1983 | Hill Street Blues | Det. Sal Benedetto | 5 episodes |
| 1983 | Bay City Blues | Angelo Carbone | 8 episodes |
| 1984 | Hardcastle and McCormick | Tony Boutros | Episode: "Did You See the One That Got Away?" |
| 1984 | The A-Team | Sam Friendly | Episode: "Chopping Spree" |
| 1984 | Riptide | Earl Bertrane | Episode: "Double Your Pleasure" |
| 1984 | E/R | The Boyfriend | Episode: "The Sister" |
| 1984 | T. J. Hooker | Andros Margolis | Episode: "Hardcore Connection" |
| 1985–1987 | Hill Street Blues | Lt. Norman Buntz | 44 episodes |
| 1985 | Simon & Simon | Frank Mahoney | Episode: "Almost Foolproof" |
| 1985 | The A-Team | Brooks | Episode: "Beverly Hills Assault" |
| 1985 | Hardcastle and McCormick | Joe Hayes | Episode: "There Goes the Neighborhood" |
| 1985 | MacGruder and Loud | Roche | Episode: "On the Wire" |
| 1985 | Hunter | Sgt. Jackie Molinas | 2 episodes |
| 1985 | Street Hawk | Inspector Frank Menlo | Episode: "Female of the Species" |
| 1985 | Scene of the Crime | Pat Grandy | Episode: "A Vote for Murder" |
| 1985 | Deadly Messages | Detective Max Lucas | Television movie |
| 1987 | Tales from the Hollywood Hills | Louie | Television movie |
| 1987–1988 | Beverly Hills Buntz | Norman Buntz | 13 episodes |
| 1989 | Kiss Shot | Max Fleischer | Television movie |
| 1989 | Matlock | Jack Brennert | 2 episodes |
| 1989 | Christine Cromwell | Detective Grainger | Episode: "Easy Come, Easy Go" |
| 1989 | Nasty Boys | Lt. Stan Krieger | 12 episodes |
| 1989 | Nasty Boys, Part 2: Lone Justice | Lt. Stan Krieger | Television movie |
| 1991 | NYPD Mounted | Tony Spampatta | Unsold TV pilot |
| 1991 | Civil Wars | Murray Seidelman | Episode: "Pilot" |
| 1992 | In the Line of Duty: Siege at Marion | Bob Bryant | Television movie |
| 1993–2005 | NYPD Blue | Detective/Sergeant Andy Sipowicz | 261 episodes |
| 1994 | The Simpsons | Himself playing Homer Simpson | Voice, Episode: "Homer Badman" |
| 1994 | Moment of Truth: Caught in the Crossfire | Gus Payne | Television movie |
| 1995 | Texas Justice | Richard Haynes | Television movie |
| 1996 | Healing the Hate | Host | Television movie |
| 1996–1997 | Mighty Ducks | Captain Klegghorn | Voice, 17 episodes |
| 1998 | Sesame Street | Himself | Episode: "Monster Day" |
Awards and Nominations
See also
In Spanish: Dennis Franz para niños
