Dennis Franz
Actor
About This Interview
Dennis Franz was interviewed for two-and-a-half-hours at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences headquarters in North Hollywood, CA. Franz talks about his early years breaking into the theater, including his work performing as a regular member of the Organic Theater Company in Chicago in the early 1970s. He describes acting in several Robert Altman and Brian DePalma films, and details his work on Hill Street Blues - outlining his storylines and speaking of his experiences acting with the ensemble cast. Franz discusses the short-lived baseball series Bay City Blues, its subsequent cancellation, and his return to Hill Street Blues as "Norman Buntz" - a character different from the one he previously played. He comments on the spin-off series Beverly Hills Buntz, and then details his time on NYPD Blue. Franz speaks in depth about his character, "Andy Sipowicz," (by Franz's count, his 28th role as a cop), his suggestions for his character (including an idea to introduce a mixed relationship for him, which was rejected,) and his reaction to the nudity and violence on the show. He shares what he believes distinguishes the show from other cop shows, talks of working with writer-producer David Milch, and recalls stories of NYPD Blue castmates. Stephen J. Abramson conducted the interview on October 12, 2006.
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Highlights
Dennis Franz on the positive traits of his character, "Andy Sipowicz"
Clip begins at: 27:05, Duration: 02m 17s
Dennis Franz on his character, "Andy Sipowicz" on NYPD Blue; on the writing on the show
Clip begins at: 00:25, Duration: 01m 47s
Dennis Franz on the final episode of NYPD Blue
Clip begins at: 10:45, Duration: 00m 53s- Dennis Franz on the legacy of NYPD Blue
Clip begins at: 16:57, Duration: 00m 46s - Dennis Franz on the legacy of Hill Street Blues
Clip begins at: 10:38, Duration: 00m 38s
Interview
- Part 1
- On growing up and his early childhood influences
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On high school and college and when he thought acting could be a serious career; on jobs he had other than acting
Clip begins at: 08:12 - On how life experiences, like being in the military, affected his acting experience
Clip begins at: 11:48 - On working with The Organic Theater Company; on his discovery of his love of film acting; on working with David Mamet
Clip begins at: 13:58 - On how projects that began at The Organic Theater Company became television shows
Clip begins at: 18:42 - On his first appearance on television and how he first got cast in a role
Clip begins at: 20:50 - On how he got to know Robert Altman and his work with him
Clip begins at: 22:47 - On how he met Brian DePalma and his work on his films
Clip begins at: 27:59 - Part 2
- On Hill Street Blues, and his characters, "Sal Bennedetto" and "Norman Buntz;" on working with Steven Bochco; on the show, Bay City Blues
Clip begins at: 0:25 - On the traits of his character "Norman Buntz;" on returning to a show playing a different character; on the popularity of Hill Street Blues and his favorite "Norman Buntz" storyline
Clip begins at: 11:02 - On the essential differences between "Bennedetto" and "Buntz" and Franz's character preference
Clip begins at: 14:47 - On researching a part and his approach to a new role
Clip begins at: 16:23 - On the on-set chemistry between cast and crew of Hill Street Blues
Clip begins at: 18:59 - On working with his co-stars and with Dick Wolf
Clip begins at: 20:15 - On working with a series of directors on Hill Street Blues; on a discussion of three highlighted directors
Clip begins at: 25:44 - Part 3
- On working with his co-stars from Hill Street Blues
Clip begins at: 0:0 - On how camera technique affects performance as an actor; on his relationship with the writers on Hill Street Blues; on his suggestion for a mixed relationship for one of his characters
Clip begins at: 04:23 - On learning of Hill Street Blues ending; on his favorite and least favorite elements of Hill Street Blues; on the legacy of Hill Street Blues
Clip begins at: 07:16 - On the Hill Street Blues spin-off show, Beverly Hills Buntz; on type-casting
Clip begins at: 11:16 - On the beginnings of NYPD Blue and his character, "Andy Sipowicz"
Clip begins at: 15:10 - On what makes NYPD Blue stand out as different from other cop shows; on how real cops respond to Franz
Clip begins at: 19:39 - On the initial resistance of affiliates to air NYPD Blue; on its subsequent publicity and eventual acceptance across television markets; on what made the show provocative and different from other shows
Clip begins at: 23:19 - On the positive traits of his character, "Andy Sipowicz"
Clip begins at: 27:05 - Part 4
- On the qualities of his character "Andy Sipowicz" on NYPD Blue; on the focus of the show; on the dynamic of the relationship between "John Kelly" and "Andy Sipowicz"
Clip begins at: 0:25 - On "Sipowicz's" wardrobe; on his malapropisms; on inspiration for "Sipowicz;" on "Sipowicz's" love life; on signature moments of NYPD Blue
Clip begins at: 04:07 - On the choreography of NYPD Blue; on becoming comfortable with the dialogue on the show; on last minute revisions to the scripts; on the collaboration between David Milch and Steven Bochco; on why David Caruso left NYPD Blue; on the chemistry on set during the first season; on working with the cast of NYPD Blue
Clip begins at: 11:54 - Part 5
- On working with the cast and crew of NYPD Blue; on the father/ son relationship between the characters of "Sipowicz" and "Danny" on NYPD Blue; on how NYPD Blue handled the 9/11 terrorist attacks; on the evolution of "Sipowicz" and "Sipowicz's" wife throughout the course of NYPD Blue
Clip begins at: 0:21 - On the final episode of NYPD Blue; on where Franz thinks "Sipowicz" would be five or ten years after the final episode; on why NYPD Blue came to a close; on conversations with Steven Bochco regarding changes on the show; on working with Mark-Paul Gosselaar
Clip begins at: 10:45 - On his Emmy nominations and Emmy awards; on the legacy of NYPD Blue; on Franz's proudest professional achievement; on any professional regrets; on current projects; on advice to aspiring actors, on how he would like to be remembered
Clip begins at: 15:10
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Just started watching NYPD Blue; it's great. Getting sick of crying though!!!
xxx
I liked the episode where he told his future wife before they were an item "ipso facto this you pissy b----"
I was a huge fan of the show at its first run. Now the Nuevo network is re-running the show and I can once again see what made it as great as it was. Dennis nailed that character and it was a delight to witness the man's arc.
Nice to see a premiere drama never went out of style.
Oh, wow, what a find. Thank you so so much for this.
Excuse me. Does anyone know if he ever married? Cheers.
Looking for Mr. Franz. NYPDBlue is still well worth watching, and I still turn to it for the best TV of its kind.
Where are you now Dennis? Formally OTJ. Miss you.
Actually, I remember Dennis Franz in his portrayal as Detective Sal Benedetto in a few episodes of HSB when he beats up Renko for giving him a parking ticket...Bobby Hill subsequently whips the crap out of Benedetto. I remember watching that and taking every swing with Michael Warren as he settled the score!
The interviewer should have a Mic On Him, he fades in & out, mumbles! Dennis's mic is great. This Tape is for History Guys, come on! "Now, Dennis is the Greatest Cop Actor of All Time, Period"!!! Thanks Dennis!! Kev from Canada, big time fan!
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