Dennis Franz
From The TV IV
| Dennis Franz | |
 | |
| Birth name | Dennis Franz Schlacta |
| Born | October 28, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Notable Roles | Hill Street Blues: Detective Norman Buntz NYPD Blue: Detective Andy Sipowicz |
| Notable Episodes | |
| Awards | 4 Emmys 1 Golden Globe 2 Screen Actors Guild Awards |
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Dennis Franz is an American actor best known for his role in the crime drama NYPD Blue.
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[edit] Biography
Born Dennis Franz Schlachta in Maywood, Chicago, his father was a German immigrant and both he and Franz's mother were postal workers. After leaving school, Franz studied for a degree in speech and theatre at Southern Illinois University. Immediately after graduating, he was drafted and enlisted in officer school, going on to do an 11-month tour of duty in Vietnam with a reconnaissance unit.
After returning home, he suffered from depression for a time and briefly worked as a postman and security guard. In 1972 he joined the Organic Theatre Company and performed with them both in Chicago and across the US. He appeared in several Chicago-based films, including Robert Altman's A Wedding before moving to Los Angeles, where he became a member of Altman's resident company.
He made his TV debut in Chicago Story in 1982, before going on to become a regular in projects of producer Steven Bochco, playing two different roles - unscrupulous Detective Sal Benedetto and streetwise Detective Norman Buntz in popular cop series Hill Street Blues. Buntz also featured in a short-lived 1987 spin-off series, Beverly Hills Buntz. In 1993 Franz took on the role for which he is best-known, as Det. Andy Sipowicz, in highly successful TV cop series NYPD Blue. He stayed with the show all through its 12 seasons.
Although best-known as a television actor, Franz has also featured in a number of movies, including a number directed by Robert Altman and Brian de Palma, as well as Bruce Willis hit Die Hard 2: Die Harder and the 1998 City of Angels.
He married Joanie Zeck in 1982 and has two step-daughters.
[edit] Roles
[edit] Starring Roles
- Hill Street Blues: Detective Norm Buntz (Seasons Six through Seven)
[edit] Guest Starring Roles
[edit] Specials and Made-for-TV Movies
[edit] Talk, News and Game Show Appearances
[edit] Memorable Moments
[edit] Awards and Accolades
[edit] Emmys
(8 Nominations, 4 wins)
- Won: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (1994, 1996, 1997, 1999). Nominated: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (1995, 1998, 2000, 2001:NYPD Blue
[edit] Golden Globes
(2 Nominations, 1 win)
- Won: Best Performance by an Actor in a TV-Series - Drama (1995). Nominated: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Mini-Series or Motion Picture Made for TV :NYPD Blue
[edit] Screen Actors Guild Awards
(13 nominations, 2 wins)
- Won: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series (1993, 1995). Nominated: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series (1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002; joint nomination for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (1997, 1998, 1999, 2000 :NYPD Blue
