One of TV’s greatest police procedurals starred Dennis Franz, Jimmy Smits, and David Caruso.

Where is the cast of NYPD Blue now? See the 15th precinct more than 20 years after the finale

One of TV's greatest police procedurals starred Dennis Franz, Jimmy Smits, and David Caruso.

By Maggie Fremont

Maggie Fremont

Maggie Fremont is a writer at **.

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June 16, 2026 6:00 p.m. ET

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The officers of the 15th precinct, circa season 8. Credit:

20th Century Fox/Courtesy Everett

For 12 seasons and 261 episodes, audiences and critics alike were captivated by the stories — both professional and personal — of the detectives working at the 15th precinct in Manhattan.

*NYPD Blue*, a series created by crime and legal procedural hitmaker Steven Bochco (*Hill Street Blues*, *L.A. Law*) and future *Deadwood* creator David Milch, was a hit right out of the gate, lauded for its gritty, boundary-pushing take on the police drama genre and its beloved ensemble cast.

All in, the show, which aired from 1993 until 2005, earned 20 Emmys from 84 nominations. It went on to influence and inspire many ensemble dramas, crime or otherwise, that would follow. Below, we take a closer look at some of the actors and characters that made *NYPD Blue* such an enduring hit.

Dennis Franz (Andy Sipowicz)

Dennis Franz as Andy Sipowicz / Franz at the Emmys in 2016.

ABC; Dan MacMedan/WireImage

Andy Sipowicz’s arc from sloppy bigot with a drinking problem to flawed man working on himself to beloved commander of the 15th precinct is something to watch. The more you watch Andy on *NYPD Blue*, the more obvious it is that no actor but Dennis Franz could’ve done this complex character justice.

Even Franz knew his main job in the early seasons was to “make this basically unlikable man a tragic hero,” he told EW. And he did so to the tune of four Emmys, with eight total nominations during his 12-season run.

While Sipowicz is the cop role for which Franz will forever be recognized, it wasn’t his first. After serving 11 months in Vietnam after being drafted into the Army (a backstory he shared with his *NYPD Blue *character), Franz joined a theater group in Chicago and eventually made a name for himself in supporting TV and film roles — most notably on *Hill Street Blues* — throughout the 1980s.

He may have been Norman Buntz to them, but he’ll always be Sipowicz to us. Perhaps it will remain that way: After *NYPD Blue* ended in 2005, Franz retired from acting.

Of course, he has some other impressive acting work deeper on his resume. He was a regular in Brian De Palma films for years, appearing in *The Fury* (1978), *Dressed to Kill* (1980), *Blow Out* (1981), and *Body Double* (1984). He also had a meaty role in *Die Hard 2 *(1990) and co-headlined the film adaptation of David Mamet’s *American Buffalo* (1996), alongside Dustin Hoffman.

He has been married to his wife, Joanie Zeck, since 1995.

Jimmy Smits (Bobby Simone)

Jimmy Smits as Bobby Simone / Smits at the Stand Up to Cancer telecast in 2023.

Bob D'Amico/20th Century Fox Television/Courtesy Everett; Charley Gallay/Getty

When *NYPD Blue* fans reflect on Jimmy Smits’ five seasons as Det. Simone (he arrived in season 2 and left in season 6’s heartbreaking and acclaimed “Hearts and Souls”), they might think about Bobby’s ability to be sensitive and vulnerable while also being very much a tough guy. Or they might simply recall his great chemistry with Andy Sipowicz.

But if you ask Smits to do the same, like EW did, he’ll be reminded of all the “butt work” required. Equally important!

Whatever the special sauce of *NYPD Blue *was, it worked. Aside from critical acclaim, Smits picked up Emmy nominations for all five of his seasons — and won a Golden Globe, too.

These accolades were not new to Smits. Prior to this series, he earned six Emmy nominations and one win for his supporting role as attorney Victor Sifuentes on *L.A. Law*.

After leaving the 15th precinct, Smits departed for a galaxy far, far away, playing Senator Bail Organa — Princess Leia’s adoptive father — in several *Star Wars* films and series beginning with *Revenge of the Sith *(2005).

In 2004, he joined the cast of *The West Wing* for its final two seasons as Matthew Santos, who would go on to succeed President Bartlet. He also appeared in series like *Dexter*, *Sons of Anarchy*, *Brooklyn Nine-Nine*, and *How to Get Away With Murder*.

Smits and his partner, actress Wanda De Jesus, have been together since 1986. He also has two children with his ex-wife.

Kim Delaney (Diane Russell)

Kim Delaney as Diane Russell / Delaney on 'General Hospital' in 2021.

Bob D'Amico/20th Century Fox Television/Courtesy Everett; Todd Wawrychuk via Getty

Kim Delaney made a splash in 1995 when she joined *NYPD Blue* as Det. Diane Russell, who would become Bobby Simone’s love interest.

The Philadelphia native made a name for herself in soaps during the early 1980s, then appeared in a number of thrillers, including *Darkman II: The Return of Durant* (1995).

For *NYPD Blue*, she won an Emmy in 1997 before departing in 1998 to lead Bochco’s next legal drama, *Philly*. The series only lasted one season. She headlined another series in 2007, the Lifetime military family drama *Army Wives*, ultimately starring in six of its seven seasons.

The veteran actress recently appeared on *General Hospital *and in a handful of *Chicago Fire *episodes.

Delaney has one son and has been married three times.

Dennis Franz looks back on the origins of 'NYPD Blue'

'NYPD Blue' — Copping a New Attitude

Gordon Clapp (Detective Greg Medavoy)

Gordon Clapp as Detective Medavoy / Clapp at opening night of 'Glengarry Glen Ross' in 2025.

Scott Garfield/ABC/Courtesy Everett; Michael Loccisano/Getty

The longest-running main character on the series next to Sipowicz, Gordon Clapp’s Det. Greg Medavoy was a routine source of comic relief across 12 seasons. The actor won one Emmy for his performance.

Clapp found consistent work on TV following *NYPD Blue*, appearing on series like *Deadwood*, *Damages*, *Chicago Fire, Mare of Easttown*,* *and *Poker Face*. He’s also a noted stage actor, with a Tony nomination under his belt for the 2005 revival of *Glengarry Glen Ross*.

The New Hampshire native is also well known to fans of John Sayles, having appeared in the ensemble casts of *Return of the Secaucus Seven *(1979)*, Matewan *(1987)*, Eight Men Out *(1988), and *Sunshine State *(2002). He also went to war for Clint Eastwood in *Flags of Our Fathers *(2006).

Clapp has been married to his second wife, Elisabeth Gordon, since 2016.

James McDaniel (Lt. Arthur Fancy)

James McDaniel as Lt. Fancy / McDaniel on 'For Life' in 2020.

Frank Ockenfels/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty; ABC/Peter Kramer

For eight seasons, James McDaniel played Lt. Arthur Fancy, the initial commander of the 15th precinct. The role earned him an Emmy nomination in 1996.

*NYPD Blue* wasn’t McDaniel’s only Bochco production, as he was previously in the cast of the producer’s infamous police musical *Cop Rock*, as well as the legal dramas *Civil Wars* and *L.A. Law*.

The D.C. native’s long career includes early guest spots on shows like *Hill Street Blues *and *Crime Story*, which he followed up with film roles in Spike Lee’s *Malcolm X *(1992) and Kiefer Sutherland’s *Truth or Consequences, N.M. *(1997).

Since leaving *NYPD Blue* in season 8, McDaniel has popped up on *Detroit 1-8-7*, *The Night Shift*, and *Sleepy Hollow*.

The veteran actor is married and has two children.

Sharon Lawrence (Sylvia Costas)

Sharon Lawrence as Sylvia Costas / Lawrence at the Marilyn Monroe Centennial Celebration in 2026.

Craig Sjodin/20th Century Fox Television/Courtesy Everett; Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

Sharon Lawrence began her career in the 1987 Broadway production of *Cabaret*. But it was her six seasons on *NYPD Blue* — in which her Sylvia Costas married Andy Sipowicz before dying tragically — that really put her on the map.

Like so many of her castmates, Lawrence received several Emmy nominations for her performance. In 1996, she won a SAG Award.

The North Carolina native has had a prolific career, primarily on television, where she has appeared on *Desperate Housewives*, *Rizzoli & Isles*, *Shameless*, and *Joe Pickett*. Her turn as Izzie's mother on *Grey’s Anatomy* earned Lawrence another Emmy nomination.

Her big-screen work over the years includes *Little Black Book *(2004) and Ava DuVernay’s *Middle of Nowhere *(2012).

Lawrence and her husband, Tom Apostle, have been married since 2002.

David Caruso (John Kelly)

David Caruso as Detective Kelly / Caruso in Miami Beach in 2012.

Bonnie Colodzin/20th Century Fox Television/Courtesy Everett; Aaron Davidson/Getty

When Bochco and Milch originally created *NYPD Blue*, it was meant to be a star vehicle for David Caruso. His Det. John Kelly was the clear lead of the series in the first season.

But after a salary dispute, Caruso, who earned a Golden Globe and an Emmy nomination for the role, infamously left *NYPD Blue* early in season 2. Even Caruso has said the decision was short-sighted, admitting to EW in 2011 that he was “pretty inexperienced and didn’t really understand the magnitude of the situation.”

The actor, who had previously appeared in films like *Twins* (1988) and *King of New York* (1990), returned to the big screen with *Kiss of Death* and *Jade*, both released in 1995, and the 2001 cult classic *Session 9*.

In 2002, Caruso took on the role of a different law enforcement officer, Lt. Horatio Caine, on *CSI: Miami*. When it was canceled a decade later, he retired from acting.

The New York native has been married three times and has three children.

Nicholas Turturro (James Martinez)

Nicholas Turturro as Det. Martinez / Turturro at the 'Call Her King' premiere in 2023.

20th Century Fox Television/Courtesy Everett; John Nacion/Getty

Two of Nicholas Turturro’s most well-known acting roles just happen to be cops. He played Det. James Martinez for the first seven seasons of *NYPD Blue*, and then spent six years as a recurring cast member on *Blue Bloods*, playing Sergeant Anthony Renzulli.

John Turturro’s younger brother also made his onscreen debut as a policeman in Spike Lee’s *Do the Right Thing* (1989). He has since become a semi-regular in Lee’s work, most recently appearing in *Highest 2 Lowest* (2025).

The two-time Emmy nominee also received an Independent Spirit nomination for *Federal Hill* (1994), and more recently starred with his brother in the miniseries adaptation of *The Name of the Rose*.

Mark-Paul Gosselaar (John Clark Jr.)

Mark-Paul Gosselaar as John Clark Jr. / Gosselaar at the Critics Choice Awards in 2025.

Michael Ansell/ABC/Courtesy Everett; Gregg DeGuire/WWD via Getty

Andy Sipowicz’s fourth and final partner was Mark-Paul Gosselaar’s Det. John Clark Jr., who arrived in the ninth season. By the end of the series, he was the 15th precinct's lead detective.

Gosselaar is, of course, known for playing Zack Morris in the generational touchstone *Saved by the Bell*. Once he graduated from Bayside, it took him a few years to find his footing, but once he landed a lasting home on *NYPD Blue*, he became a small-screen fixture.

The L.A. native went on to lead Bochco’s *Raising the Bar* for two seasons before moving on to *Franklin & Bash,* the short-lived baseball drama *Pitch*, the sitcom *Mixed-ish*, and the crime thriller *Found*.

Most recently, he booked a recurring role on the police drama *Will Trent*.

Gosselaar has four children, two with his first wife and two with his current wife, Catriona McGinn, whom he married in 2012.

Henry Simmons (Baldwin Jones)

Henry Simmons as Jones / Simmons at the Ebony Power 100 event in 2022.

Michael Ansell/ABC/Courtesy Everett; JC Olivera/WireImage

After two seasons on the daytime soap *Another World*, Henry Simmons nabbed the role of the calm but intimidating Det. Baldwin Jones in the seventh season of *NYPD Blue*. He remained a main cast member until the series ended in 2005.

Following the hit procedural, Simmons was a regular on another crime drama, the James Woods-led *Shark*, for two seasons. He went on to play supporting roles on *Pepper Dennis* and *Ravenswood* before landing the part of Alphonso “Mack” McKenzie on *Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D*. He joined the cast in season 2 and remained until the series’ conclusion in 2020.

More recently, the Connecticut native starred alongside Forest Whitaker on the *Emperor of Ocean Park*.

Rick Schroder (Dan Sorenson)

Rick Schroder as Sorensen / Schroder at the DGA Awards in 2020.

20th Century Fox Television/Courtesy Everett; Rachel Luna/WireImage

Child star Rick Schroder — formerly known as Ricky — first made a name for himself by becoming the youngest recipient of a Golden Globe for his performance in *The Champ *(1979). He then spent the bulk of the ’80s headlining the popular sitcom *Silver Spoons*.

But by the time he arrived at the 15th precinct in season 6, Schroder had effectively shed his former persona. Det. Sorenson became Sipowicz’s third partner following Bobby Simone's death — though he, too, would meet an untimely end by season 8.

Following the series, Schroder had a meaty season 6 arc on *24* while also appearing in Lifetime’s *Strong Medicine *and a handful of episodes of *Scrubs*. He also tried his hand in the director’s chair, helming the indie drama *Black Cloud *(2004). The native New Yorker hasn’t had an acting credit since 2016.

Schroder has four children with his first wife Andrea Bernard. They divorced in 2016. He married actress Julie Trammel in 2025.

Garcelle Beauvais (Valerie Haywood)

Garcelle Beauvais as Valerie Heywood / Beauvais at the Comics Unleashed launch party in 2026.

Bob D'Amico/ABC/Courtesy Everett; Greg Doherty/Getty

Haitian-born Garcelle Beauvais began her career modeling in Miami and New York City — she was signed by Ford Models at 17 — but it wasn’t long before she made the jump to acting.

Beauvais was part of the ensemble cast of Aaron Spelling’s *Melrose Place *spinoff, *Models Inc. *In 1996, she took a leading role on *The Jamie Foxx Show*, playing the love interest Fancy Monroe for all five seasons.

It was the latter role that helped her get cast on *NYPD Blue *in 2001. Beauvais played attorney Valerie Haywood from seasons 8 through 11.

While Beauvais continued to act in film and television following *NYPD Blue*, she’s perhaps best known as a cast member on *The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills* for five seasons, exiting the show in 2025.

She was also a regular on the first two seasons of *Franklin & Bash *and appeared in *Spider-Man: Homecoming* (2017) as the unassuming wife of Michael Keaton’s villainous Adrian Toomes.

Where can I watch NYPD Blue?

*NYPD Blue* is currently available to rent or buy on Amazon Prime Video.

- Crime & Legal Dramas

Original Article on Source

Source: “EW Crime”