The cast of "Hill Street Blues" was a colorful collection of acting veterans. Many have continued rich careers since the show left the air in 1987. Daniel J. Travanti, right, played Capt. Frank Furillo, head of Hill Street Station, on the show.
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
The cast of "Hill Street Blues" was a colorful collection of acting veterans. Many have continued rich careers since the show left the air in 1987. Daniel J. Travanti, right, played Capt. Frank Furillo, head of Hill Street Station, on the show.
From Shout Factory
Travanti, seen on stage with Adam Green in the 2007 play "The Last Word ...," has had a number of guest roles since "Hill Street" ended, including work on "Criminal Minds" and "Grey's Anatomy." He also had a regular role in the Starz series "Boss."
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
Travanti, seen on stage with Adam Green in the 2007 play "The Last Word ...," has had a number of guest roles since "Hill Street" ended, including work on "Criminal Minds" and "Grey's Anatomy." He also had a regular role in the Starz series "Boss."
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Veronica Hamel played district attorney Joyce Davenport, Furillo's love interest (and later wife) on "Hill Street." Prior to "Hill Street," Hamel was a model -- and in 1971, she appeared in the very last cigarette commercial ever aired on national television.
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
Veronica Hamel played district attorney Joyce Davenport, Furillo's love interest (and later wife) on "Hill Street." Prior to "Hill Street," Hamel was a model -- and in 1971, she appeared in the very last cigarette commercial ever aired on national television.
From Shout Factory
Hamel's post-"Hill Street" acting career includes several TV movies and recurring roles on the shows "Philly," "Third Watch" and "Lost." On the latter, she played the mother of Jack Shephard (Matthew Fox).
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
Hamel's post-"Hill Street" acting career includes several TV movies and recurring roles on the shows "Philly," "Third Watch" and "Lost." On the latter, she played the mother of Jack Shephard (Matthew Fox).
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Before "Hill Street Blues," Michael Conrad was a highly regarded character actor who had appeared on dozens of TV series. As Lt. Phil Esterhaus on "Hill Street," known for his line "Let's be careful out there," he became a star. Conrad died during the show's fourth season, on November 22, 1983, of cancer.
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
Before "Hill Street Blues," Michael Conrad was a highly regarded character actor who had appeared on dozens of TV series. As Lt. Phil Esterhaus on "Hill Street," known for his line "Let's be careful out there," he became a star. Conrad died during the show's fourth season, on November 22, 1983, of cancer.
From Shout Factory
Charles Haid played Officer Andy Renko on "Hill Street." He was originally supposed to die in the opening episode, but audience popularity kept him alive -- and he lasted the entire run of the show.
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
Charles Haid played Officer Andy Renko on "Hill Street." He was originally supposed to die in the opening episode, but audience popularity kept him alive -- and he lasted the entire run of the show.
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Haid has become a noted director since his "Hill Street" days. His credits include episodes of "ER," "NYPD Blue," "Nip/Tuck" and "Criminal Minds." He won a Directors Guild award for his work on a first-season "ER" episode.
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
Haid has become a noted director since his "Hill Street" days. His credits include episodes of "ER," "NYPD Blue," "Nip/Tuck" and "Criminal Minds." He won a Directors Guild award for his work on a first-season "ER" episode.
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Michael Warren played Renko's partner, Bobby Hill, on "Hill Street Blues." Prior to the show, Warren's credits included "Adam-12," "S.W.A.T." and "Charlie's Angels" -- not to mention two NCAA basketball championships as a member of the UCLA Bruins in the late '60s.
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
Michael Warren played Renko's partner, Bobby Hill, on "Hill Street Blues." Prior to the show, Warren's credits included "Adam-12," "S.W.A.T." and "Charlie's Angels" -- not to mention two NCAA basketball championships as a member of the UCLA Bruins in the late '60s.
From Shout Factory
Warren has had roles in "A Different World," "Murder One," "Soul Food" and "Lincoln Heights" (here with Tina Lifford) since "Hill Street" ended in 1987.
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
Warren has had roles in "A Different World," "Murder One," "Soul Food" and "Lincoln Heights" (here with Tina Lifford) since "Hill Street" ended in 1987.
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Kiel Martin played Detective J.D. LaRue, a self-styled ladies' man, on "Hill Street Blues." The role followed appearances in many TV series, including "The Virginian" and "Gunsmoke." After "Hill Street," Martin's career continued with performances in "L.A. Law," "Murder, She Wrote" and "Miami Vice." Martin died December 28, 1990, of lung cancer.
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
Kiel Martin played Detective J.D. LaRue, a self-styled ladies' man, on "Hill Street Blues." The role followed appearances in many TV series, including "The Virginian" and "Gunsmoke." After "Hill Street," Martin's career continued with performances in "L.A. Law," "Murder, She Wrote" and "Miami Vice." Martin died December 28, 1990, of lung cancer.
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Rene Enriquez, center, another well-established character actor, played Lt. Ray Calletano on "Hill Street." In the '80s, he was a rare example of a Hispanic character on network television. Enriquez died March 23, 1990, of cancer.
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
Rene Enriquez, center, another well-established character actor, played Lt. Ray Calletano on "Hill Street." In the '80s, he was a rare example of a Hispanic character on network television. Enriquez died March 23, 1990, of cancer.
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Ed Marinaro had just a few roles to his credit -- including a stint on "Laverne & Shirley" -- when he was cast in "Hill Street" as Officer Joe Coffey. The character almost died in the first season and then was shot to death in Season 6 when Marinaro decided to move along to other things.
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
Ed Marinaro had just a few roles to his credit -- including a stint on "Laverne & Shirley" -- when he was cast in "Hill Street" as Officer Joe Coffey. The character almost died in the first season and then was shot to death in Season 6 when Marinaro decided to move along to other things.
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Marinaro followed "Hill Street" with roles on "Falcon Crest" and "Dynasty" and then nabbed a regular gig on "Sisters" for four years. His Spike show "Blue Mountain State" has a cult following, <a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmarquee.blogs.cnn.com%2F2014%2F04%2F08%2Fblue-mountain-state-aiming-for-big-screen%2F">enough to possibly lead to a movie</a>.
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
Marinaro followed "Hill Street" with roles on "Falcon Crest" and "Dynasty" and then nabbed a regular gig on "Sisters" for four years. His Spike show "Blue Mountain State" has a cult following, enough to possibly lead to a movie.
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Betty Thomas, a veteran of Chicago's Second City comedy troupe, played Coffey's partner, Officer Lucy Bates, on "Hill Street."
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
Betty Thomas, a veteran of Chicago's Second City comedy troupe, played Coffey's partner, Officer Lucy Bates, on "Hill Street."
From Shout Factory
Though she continued acting after "Hill Street's" finale, Thomas really found her calling as a director. Her credits include "The Brady Bunch Movie," the TV movie "The Late Shift" and "28 Days." She's a member of the Directors Guild of America board.
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
Though she continued acting after "Hill Street's" finale, Thomas really found her calling as a director. Her credits include "The Brady Bunch Movie," the TV movie "The Late Shift" and "28 Days." She's a member of the Directors Guild of America board.
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Taurean Blaque played Detective Neal Washington, LaRue's partner, on "Hill Street Blues." Prior to the show, Blacque was in "Rocky II" and "House Calls," not to mention several TV shows.
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
Taurean Blaque played Detective Neal Washington, LaRue's partner, on "Hill Street Blues." Prior to the show, Blacque was in "Rocky II" and "House Calls," not to mention several TV shows.
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Blacque, bottom row center, joined producer Steven Bochco, top row left, and members of the "Hill Street" cast at the Emmys in 1998. Since the show ended, he has done a number of TV shows but also plenty of stage work, including performances with Atlanta's Alliance Theatre.
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
Blacque, bottom row center, joined producer Steven Bochco, top row left, and members of the "Hill Street" cast at the Emmys in 1998. Since the show ended, he has done a number of TV shows but also plenty of stage work, including performances with Atlanta's Alliance Theatre.
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Sikking jokes that everybody asks about "Hill Street," on which he played Lt. Howard Hunter, but nobody asks about his participation in such TV dogs as "My Mother, the Car" and "O.K. Crackerby." Indeed, Sikking was all over the tube before "Hill Street" came along, acting in such series as "M*A*S*H," "The Mod Squad" and "The Rockford Files."
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
Sikking jokes that everybody asks about "Hill Street," on which he played Lt. Howard Hunter, but nobody asks about his participation in such TV dogs as "My Mother, the Car" and "O.K. Crackerby." Indeed, Sikking was all over the tube before "Hill Street" came along, acting in such series as "M*A*S*H," "The Mod Squad" and "The Rockford Files."
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Sikking, a longtime friend of "Hill Street" creator Steven Bochco's, had major roles in some post-"Hill Street" Bochco productions, including "Doogie Howser, M.D." (he played Doogie's father) and "Brooklyn South." You can also see him in the famed "Curb Your Enthusiasm" episode "The Car Pool Lane."
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
Sikking, a longtime friend of "Hill Street" creator Steven Bochco's, had major roles in some post-"Hill Street" Bochco productions, including "Doogie Howser, M.D." (he played Doogie's father) and "Brooklyn South." You can also see him in the famed "Curb Your Enthusiasm" episode "The Car Pool Lane."
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As Henry Goldblume, Joe Spano was "Hill Street's" community outreach specialist, a role that sometimes earned him needles from his fellow cops. Spano had a small role in "American Graffiti" and appeared in several TV series.
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
As Henry Goldblume, Joe Spano was "Hill Street's" community outreach specialist, a role that sometimes earned him needles from his fellow cops. Spano had a small role in "American Graffiti" and appeared in several TV series.
From Shout Factory
Spano has worked steadily since the end of "Hill Street." He's had major roles in "NYPD Blue" and "Murder One," but audiences today probably know him best for his role as FBI Agent T.C. Fornell in "NCIS." He appears here with "NCIS" co-stars Michael Weatherly, left, and Sean Murray.
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
Spano has worked steadily since the end of "Hill Street." He's had major roles in "NYPD Blue" and "Murder One," but audiences today probably know him best for his role as FBI Agent T.C. Fornell in "NCIS." He appears here with "NCIS" co-stars Michael Weatherly, left, and Sean Murray.
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Bruce Weitz played a lot of doctors and accountants before getting the part of Detective Mick Belker, "Hill Street's" cigar-chewing, foul-mouthed, occasionally bite-happy undercover man.
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
Bruce Weitz played a lot of doctors and accountants before getting the part of Detective Mick Belker, "Hill Street's" cigar-chewing, foul-mouthed, occasionally bite-happy undercover man.
From Shout Factory
Weitz had a long run on "General Hospital" (here with Brandon Barish) from 2007 to 2012. He's also been in "CSI," "JAG," "Grey's Anatomy," "ER" and "The West Wing." He wouldn't mind the right job -- "I hate to use the word 'retired,' " he told CNN -- but loves spending his time raising vegetables and chickens in Reseda, California.
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
Weitz had a long run on "General Hospital" (here with Brandon Barish) from 2007 to 2012. He's also been in "CSI," "JAG," "Grey's Anatomy," "ER" and "The West Wing." He wouldn't mind the right job -- "I hate to use the word 'retired,' " he told CNN -- but loves spending his time raising vegetables and chickens in Reseda, California.
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Dennis Franz (center, with Michael Pasternak and Parker Whitman) actually had two roles on "Hill Street Blues": crooked cop Sal Benedetto and the slovenly but effective Norm Buntz. The latter character was spun off into the short-lived "Beverly Hills Buntz" after "Hill Street" ended.
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
Dennis Franz (center, with Michael Pasternak and Parker Whitman) actually had two roles on "Hill Street Blues": crooked cop Sal Benedetto and the slovenly but effective Norm Buntz. The latter character was spun off into the short-lived "Beverly Hills Buntz" after "Hill Street" ended.
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Franz went on to greater fame as Andy Sipowicz on "NYPD Blue," a role he played from 1993 to 2005. He's devoted the last few years to his family -- and remains<a href="index.php?page=&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.reelchicago.com%2Farticle%2Fsavor-100-years-wrigley-field-new-questar-dvd140310" target="_blank" target="_blank"> equally devoted to his hometown Chicago Cubs</a>.
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
Franz went on to greater fame as Andy Sipowicz on "NYPD Blue," a role he played from 1993 to 2005. He's devoted the last few years to his family -- and remains equally devoted to his hometown Chicago Cubs.
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Robert Prosky came to "Hill Street" from a long stint with Washington's Arena Stage, as well as appearances in "Christine" and "The Natural." He played Sgt. Stanislaus "Stan" Jablonski, who took over from Michael Conrad's Esterhaus.
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
Robert Prosky came to "Hill Street" from a long stint with Washington's Arena Stage, as well as appearances in "Christine" and "The Natural." He played Sgt. Stanislaus "Stan" Jablonski, who took over from Michael Conrad's Esterhaus.
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Prosky had roles in several TV series and films after "Hill Street" ended, including spots in the movies "Mrs. Doubtfire" and "Dead Man Walking." He died December 8, 2008, of complications from heart surgery.
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
Prosky had roles in several TV series and films after "Hill Street" ended, including spots in the movies "Mrs. Doubtfire" and "Dead Man Walking." He died December 8, 2008, of complications from heart surgery.
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Barbara Bosson played Fay, Furillo's ex-wife, on "Hill Street Blues." Her role was intended to be small, but the network liked her so much it was expanded -- easy enough to arrange, since she was married to Bochco at the time.
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
Barbara Bosson played Fay, Furillo's ex-wife, on "Hill Street Blues." Her role was intended to be small, but the network liked her so much it was expanded -- easy enough to arrange, since she was married to Bochco at the time.
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Bosson starred as the mayor in Bochco's post-"Hill Street" misfire, "Cop Rock," but later earned an Emmy nomination for her performance in another Bochco show, "Murder One." "Star Trek" fans may recognize her for her role in a "Deep Space Nine" episode, "Rivals."
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
Bosson starred as the mayor in Bochco's post-"Hill Street" misfire, "Cop Rock," but later earned an Emmy nomination for her performance in another Bochco show, "Murder One." "Star Trek" fans may recognize her for her role in a "Deep Space Nine" episode, "Rivals."
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Jeffrey Tambor (right, with Kiel Martin) made occasional appearances on "Hill Street" as the eccentric, cross-dressing Judge Alan Wachtel.
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
Jeffrey Tambor (right, with Kiel Martin) made occasional appearances on "Hill Street" as the eccentric, cross-dressing Judge Alan Wachtel.
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After "Hill Street," Tambor played "Hey Now!" Hank Kingsley on "The Larry Sanders Show" and, shown here, George Bluth Sr. on "Arrested Development." His IMDb page shows at least a half-dozen projects due or being produced in 2014 alone.
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
After "Hill Street," Tambor played "Hey Now!" Hank Kingsley on "The Larry Sanders Show" and, shown here, George Bluth Sr. on "Arrested Development." His IMDb page shows at least a half-dozen projects due or being produced in 2014 alone.
Courtesy: Everett Collection
George Wyner, not be confused with the equally balding Jeffrey Tambor, played assistant D.A. Irwin Bernstein on "Hill Street."
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
George Wyner, not be confused with the equally balding Jeffrey Tambor, played assistant D.A. Irwin Bernstein on "Hill Street."
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Wyner has continued his string of lawyers, judges and doctors, with appearances in "The Mentalist" (shown here) as a coroner, "Desperate Housewives" as a doctor and "Days of Our Lives" as a judge. He was also the camp director in "American Pie 2."
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
Wyner has continued his string of lawyers, judges and doctors, with appearances in "The Mentalist" (shown here) as a coroner, "Desperate Housewives" as a doctor and "Days of Our Lives" as a judge. He was also the camp director in "American Pie 2."
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Peter Jurasik kept his hair as slick as his persona as Sid "the Snitch" Thurston in "Hill Street Blues," frequent purveyor of information to Norm Buntz.
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
Peter Jurasik kept his hair as slick as his persona as Sid "the Snitch" Thurston in "Hill Street Blues," frequent purveyor of information to Norm Buntz.
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After following Franz's Buntz to L.A. in "Beverly Hills Buntz," Jurasik went on to "Babylon 5," "Sliders" and "Dawson's Creek," as well as parts in the movies "Runaway Jury" and "42."
'Hill Street Blues': Where are they now? —
After following Franz's Buntz to L.A. in "Beverly Hills Buntz," Jurasik went on to "Babylon 5," "Sliders" and "Dawson's Creek," as well as parts in the movies "Runaway Jury" and "42."
Salvatore Capalbi