The eternal cop, Dennis Franz made his mark on America, playing some of the best police officers you have ever seen.

Dennis Franz Schlachta Was born on Oct 28, 1944, in Chicago, Illinois. After high school Franz attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Franz was drafted into the United States Army shortly out of college and served 11 months in Vietnam in the 82^nd Airborne Division.

Upon his return Franz took a job as a postman. However, he decided he was no good as a postman and that he wanted to be a character actor, so he dropped Schlachta from his name to act. He said Franz was easier for people to pronounce and remember. Franz pounded the pavement trying for every acting job he could find.

He finally found one with the Organic Theater Company, in Chicago.

Franz made his film debut in the 1978, film, The Fury. Four years later he appeared on Chicago Story as beat cop Joe Gilland. Steven Boncho seemed to love Franz and cast him in many of his shows as a guest. He appeared in The A-Team and Bay City Blues.

Stardom really struck when he played detective Sal Benedetto and Lieutenant Norman Buntz on Hill Street Blues. Franz tried to capitalize on his Hill street Blues fame with the short lived Beverly Hills Buntz.

In 1993, Boncho and Franz came back together again for NYPD Blue. Again Dennis played a police officer.  He seemed to have the look of a cop. By Franz’ own count, the character of Detective Andy Sipowicz was his 27th role as a police officer.

Dennis won four Emmy Awards for his role in NYPD Blue. The character of Andy Sipowicz is listed as 23 on Bravo’s 100 Greatest TV Characters.