NYPD Blue Cast List

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Updated March 30, 2024 186.4K views 56 items

NYPD Blue is a television drama series that aired from 1993 to 2005, taking viewers through the turbulent lives and cases of New York City police detectives. With its raw storytelling and gritty realism, this popular show garnered widespread acclaim while pushing boundaries for network television. The success of NYPD Blue can be largely attributed to its cast who brought their complex characters to life.

The NYPD Blue cast list includes a variety of talented actors portraying some of the most memorable characters in television history. Each individual played a role. These ranged from a brooding detective grappling with personal demons to a fiercely dedicated officer fighting for justice amidst chaos on the city streets. These multi-layered roles evoked strong emotions and sparked debates about morality and redemption within the context of law enforcement.

Among NYPD Blue cast members are Dennis Franz as Detective Andy Sipowicz; James McDaniel as Lieutenant Arthur Fancy; and Gordon Clapp as Detective Greg Medavoy. Dennis Franz's powerhouse performance as Sipowicz earned him multiple Emmy Awards, while McDaniel offered a compelling portrayal of an empathetic leader navigating tense relationships within his precinct. Clapp's acting brought out both humor and pathos in his character's struggle to balance work with personal life. 

Assembling this ensemble proved instrumental in creating a narrative that resonated with millions of viewers across its twelve-season run. It's clear that each member of the cast played a role in defining NYPD Blue's distinctive identity which continues to influence crime dramas today. 

  • Amy Brenneman
    NYPD Blue, The Leftovers, Private Practice
    Amy Frederica Brenneman (born June 22, 1964) is an American actress, writer, and producer. Brenneman rose to prominence after her performance as Detective Janice Licalsi in the ABC police drama series NYPD Blue (1993–1994), for which she was nominated for two Primetime Emmy Awards. She gained further recognition for starring in various films, including Heat (1995), Fear (1996), Daylight (1996), Things You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her (2000), Nine Lives (2005), and The Jane Austen Book Club (2007). Brenneman created and starred as Judge Amy Gray in the CBS drama series Judging Amy (1999–2005). For her performance, she was nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards and three Golden Globe Awards. Brenneman also had starring roles as Violet Turner in the Shonda Rhimes medical drama series Private Practice (2007–2013), and as Laurie Garvey on the HBO drama series The Leftovers (2014–2017).
  • Ana Ortiz
    Ugly Betty, Devious Maids, Over There
    Ana Ortiz (born January 25, 1971) is an American actress and singer. Having pursued a career in ballet and singing from a young age, she eventually attended University of the Arts. Ortiz began her acting career in theatre, in early 2000s starred in the short-lived NBC sitcoms Kristin (2001) and A.U.S.A. (2003), and had recurring roles on Over There and Boston Legal. Ortiz garnered widespread attention for her role as Hilda Suarez in the ABC comedy-drama series Ugly Betty from 2006 to 2010. She also appeared in such films like Labor Pains (2009) and Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son (2011), and starred in Little Girl Lost: The Delimar Vera Story (2008). From 2013 to 2016, Ortiz starred as Marisol Suarez in the Lifetime television comedy-drama series Devious Maids, for which she received the Imagen Award for Best Actress - Television.
  • Andrea Thompson
    NYPD Blue, Babylon 5, Falcon Crest
    Rebecca Andrea Thompson (born January 6, 1960) is an American actress, known for her roles on the television series Falcon Crest, Babylon 5, JAG, 24, and NYPD Blue.
  • Bill Brochtrup
    NYPD Blue, Public Morals, Total Security
    William "Bill" Brochtrup Jr. (born March 7, 1963) is an American actor. He is known for his role playing PAA John Irvin, a gay police public assistant, on the ABC television drama NYPD Blue.
  • Bonnie Somerville
    NYPD Blue, Golden Boy, Kitchen Confidential
    Bonnie Somerville (born February 24, 1974) is an American actress and singer. She has had roles in a number of movies and television series, most notably NYPD Blue, Grosse Pointe, Friends, The O.C., Cashmere Mafia, Kitchen Confidential, Without a Paddle, and Golden Boy. She starred as Dr. Christa Lorenson in season one of the CBS medical drama Code Black.
  • Charlotte Ross
    NYPD Blue, The Heights, Trinity (US)
    Charlotte Ross (born January 21, 1968) is an American actress. She is best known for her roles as Eve Donovan on the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives from 1987 to 1991 for the NBC Daytime programming block, and as Det. Connie McDowell on the ABC police procedural drama series NYPD Blue from 2001 to 2004.
  • Anna Gunn
    Breaking Bad, Deadwood, Men Behaving Badly
    Anna Gunn (born August 11, 1968) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Skyler White on the AMC drama series Breaking Bad, for which she won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2013 and 2014.
  • Currie Graham
    NYPD Blue, Suddenly Susan, Murder in the First
    Currie Graham (born February 26, 1967) is a Canadian stage, film and television actor.
  • Anton Viktorovich Yelchin (Russian: Анто́н Ви́кторович Е́льчин, IPA: [ɐnˈton ˈjelʲtɕɪn]}; March 11, 1989 – June 19, 2016) was an American actor. He played Pavel Chekov in three Star Trek films: Star Trek (2009), Star Trek Into Darkness (2013), and the posthumously released Star Trek Beyond (2016). Born to a Russian Jewish family in Leningrad, Yelchin and his family moved to the United States when he was a baby. In the late 1990s, Yelchin began appearing in television and film roles. His role in Steven Spielberg's miniseries Taken helped further his career. Yelchin also starred in Huff, the films Hearts in Atlantis, Alpha Dog, and Like Crazy, and the posthumously released Trollhunters.
  • David Caruso
    CSI: Miami, NYPD Blue, The First Olympics: Athens 1896
    David Caruso is a figure of enduring prominence in the world of American television. Known for his striking red hair and signature sunglasses, Caruso has carved out a niche for himself as a leading actor in crime dramas that have captivated audiences across the globe. His portrayal of detective roles, marked by a unique blend of intensity and subtlety, has positioned him as one of the most recognizable faces on the small screen. Born on January 7, 1956, in Forest Hills, New York, Caruso's journey into acting was not immediate. He spent much of his early life juggling various jobs before his passion for performance led him to enroll at the Cinema School at HB Studio in New York. It was here that he honed his craft, laying the foundation for a successful career in Hollywood. Caruso's breakthrough came in 1993 when he was cast as Detective John Kelly in the critically acclaimed series, NYPD Blue. His performance on the show was lauded for its depth and authenticity, earning him a Golden Globe award and a spot in the limelight. Caruso's star continued to rise with his role as Lieutenant Horatio Caine in CSI: Miami from 2002 to 2012. This part further cemented his status as a staple in crime procedural dramas. The character's relentless pursuit of justice, coupled with Caruso's nuanced performance, resonated with viewers, making the show a hit. Outside of acting, Caruso has also made strides as a producer, contributing to the success of several television series. Despite his accomplishments, Caruso remains humble, attributing his success to hard work and dedication.
  • Dennis Franz
    NYPD Blue, Hill Street Blues, Mighty Ducks
    Dennis Franz Schlachta (; born October 28, 1944), known professionally as Dennis Franz, is an American former actor best known for his role as NYPD Detective Andy Sipowicz in the ABC television series NYPD Blue (1993–2005), a role that earned him a Golden Globe Award, three Screen Actors Guild Awards and four Primetime Emmy Awards. He also portrayed Lt. Norman Buntz in the similar NBC series Hill Street Blues (1985–1987) and its short-lived spinoff, Beverly Hills Buntz (1987–1988).
  • Esai Morales
    NYPD Blue, Jericho, Caprica
    Esai Manuel Morales, Jr. (born October 1, 1962) is an American actor. He played Bob Morales in the 1987 biopic La Bamba. He also appeared in the PBS drama American Family and in the Showtime series Resurrection Blvd. He is best known for his roles as Lt. Tony Rodriguez on NYPD Blue, Joseph Adama in the science fiction television series Caprica, and Camino del Rio in the Netflix original series Ozark.
  • Gail O'Grady
    NYPD Blue, Hellcats, American Dreams
    Gail Ann O'Grady (born January 23, 1963), an American actress and producer, is best known for her roles on television. Her roles include Donna Abandando in the ABC police drama NYPD Blue, and Helen Pryor in the NBC drama series American Dreams. O'Grady is also well known for her lead roles in a number of television movies. She has been nominated for a Primetime Emmy Award three times.
  • Gordon Clapp
    NYPD Blue, Small Sacrifices, Check It Out!
    Gordon Clapp (born September 24, 1948) is an American actor, best known for portraying the role of Det. Greg Medavoy for all 12 seasons on the television series NYPD Blue, winning an Emmy Award in 1998.
  • Henry Simmons
    NYPD Blue, Ravenswood, Shark
    Henry Oswald Simmons, Jr. (born July 21, 1970) is an American actor. He is known for portraying NYPD Detective Baldwin Jones on the ABC police drama NYPD Blue, from 2000–2005, and as Agent Alphonso "Mack" MacKenzie on ABC's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D..
  • Daniel Benzali
    Murder One, The Agency
    Daniel Benzali (born January 20, 1950) is a Brazilian-American stage, television and film actor.
  • Jacqueline Obradors
    NYPD Blue, Freddie, Anatomy of Hope
    Jacqueline Danell Obradors (born October 6, 1966) is an American actress. She has appeared in films such as Six Days, Seven Nights (1998), Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo (1999), Tortilla Soup (2001), A Man Apart (2003) and Unstoppable (2004). On television, Obradors is known for her role as Det. Rita Ortiz in the ABC crime drama series NYPD Blue (2001–2005).
  • James McDaniel
    NYPD Blue, Detroit 1-8-7, Taken
    James McDaniel (born March 25, 1958 in Washington, D.C.) is an American stage, film and television actor. He is best known for playing Lt. Arthur Fancy on the television show NYPD Blue. He created the role of Paul in the hit Lincoln Center play Six Degrees of Separation. He played a police officer in the ill-fated 1990 series Cop Rock, and a close advisor to the director Spike Lee regarding the activist Malcolm X in the 1992 film Malcolm X. He also played Sgt. Jesse Longford in the ABC television series Detroit 1-8-7.
  • Jimmy Smits
    Dexter, Sons of Anarchy, The West Wing
    Jimmy Smits (born July 9, 1955) is an Emmy Award-winning, American actor best known for playing attorney Victor Sifuentes on the 1980s legal drama L.A. Law, NYPD Detective Bobby Simone on the 1990s police drama NYPD Blue and Matt Santos on the 1999–2006 serial political drama The West Wing. He also appeared as Bail Organa in the Star Wars prequel trilogy, and as ADA Miguel Prado in Dexter. From 2012 to 2014, he joined the main cast of Sons of Anarchy as Nero Padilla. Smits will play Elijah Strait in the NBC drama series Bluff City Law.
  • Kim Delaney
    CSI: Miami, NYPD Blue, Army Wives
    Kim Delaney (born November 29, 1961) is an American actress known for her starring role as Detective Diane Russell on the ABC drama television series NYPD Blue, for which she won an Emmy Award. Early in her career, she played the role of Jenny Gardner in the ABC daytime television drama All My Children. She later had leading roles in the short lived TV drama Philly, part of the first season of CSI: Miami, and the first six seasons of Army Wives.
  • David Schwimmer
    Friends, Band of Brothers, Monty
    David Schwimmer, best known for his role as Ross Geller in the iconic television series Friends, is an American actor, director, and producer who has made a significant impact on both the small and big screens. Born in 1966 in Queens, New York, Schwimmer's early life was steeped in the arts. His parents, both prominent attorneys, were also actively involved in the theater, which undoubtedly helped shape Schwimmer's career path. Schwimmer attended Northwestern University, where he co-founded the Lookingglass Theatre Company, a testament to his passion and commitment to performing arts. His big break came in 1994 with Friends, where he not only showcased his acting, but also directed ten episodes of the show. Schwimmer's portrayal of Ross Geller, a paleontologist navigating love and life in New York City, earned him an Emmy nomination and catapulted him to international fame. Beyond Friends, Schwimmer's career is marked by diversity. He voiced Melman, a hypochondriac giraffe, in DreamWorks' Madagascar films, demonstrating his versatility as an actor. Moreover, as a director, he helmed the critically acclaimed British comedy series Little Britain USA and the feature film Run Fatboy Run. Off-screen, Schwimmer is a dedicated advocate for survivors of sexual violence, using his platform to raise awareness about the issue.
  • Mark-Paul Gosselaar
    Saved by the Bell, NYPD Blue, Franklin & Bash
    Mark-Paul Gosselaar is a distinguished actor of Dutch and Indonesian descent who made his mark in the entertainment industry with a diverse range of performances. Born on March 1, 1974, in Panorama City, Los Angeles, he was raised in Southern California where he discovered his passion for acting at a young age. His acting journey began with guest appearances on television shows, but it didn't take long for his talent to get recognized. Gosselaar catapulted into stardom when he landed the role of "Zack Morris" in the iconic American sitcom Saved by the Bell, which aired from 1989 to 1993. His portrayal of the charming, quick-witted high school student won hearts globally, establishing him as a household name. The success of the show led to several spin-offs, in which Gosselaar reprised his role, further cementing his popularity. Beyond Saved by the Bell, Gosselaar continued to demonstrate his acting prowess with significant roles in other popular television series. He starred as "Detective John Clark Jr." in the critically acclaimed crime drama NYPD Blue and as Peter Bash in the legal comedy-drama Franklin & Bash. He also showcased his versatility with a memorable performance in the mixed martial arts drama series Kingdom. Despite his early typecasting, Gosselaar's career trajectory reflects his ability to master a wide array of characters, solidifying his reputation as a versatile and accomplished actor.
  • Nicholas Turturro

    Nicholas Turturro

    NYPD Blue, Blue Bloods, Celebrity Fit Club
    Nicholas Turturro (born January 29, 1962) is an American actor, known for his role as Sergeant Anthony Renzulli on the television series Blue Bloods and as Detective James Martinez on the television series NYPD Blue. Nicholas is the younger brother of John Turturro and the cousin of Aida Turturro.
  • Debra Messing
    Will & Grace, Smash, The Mysteries of Laura
    Born on August 15, 1968, in Brooklyn, New York, Debra Messing pursued her passion for acting from an early age. A graduate of the prestigious Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, she later honed her skills further at the esteemed London-based British American Drama Academy. Messing's breakthrough role came in 1995 when she starred as Stacey Colbert in the TV series Ned and Stacey. However, it was her portrayal of Grace Adler on the hit sitcom Will & Grace that catapulted her into international stardom. The show, which ran from 1998 to 2006 and later revived from 2017 to 2020, won her a Primetime Emmy Award and earned her multiple Golden Globe nominations. Simultaneously, Messing made her mark in Hollywood with roles in films like Along Came Polly (2004) and The Women (2008). In addition to her acting career, Messing has also been an influential figure in various philanthropic endeavors. She is an active supporter of HIV/AIDS awareness initiatives, women's rights, and LGBTQ+ advocacy. Her contributions extend beyond the realm of entertainment, making her not just an accomplished actress but also a passionate activist.
  • Sharon Lawrence
    NYPD Blue, Hidden Palms, The Line
    Sharon Elizabeth Lawrence (born June 29, 1961) is an American actress, singer, and dancer. She is best known for the role of Sylvia Costas Sipowicz in the ABC drama series NYPD Blue. The role garnered her three Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
  • Sherry Stringfield
    ER, NYPD Blue, Guiding Light
    Sherry Lea Stringfield (born June 24, 1967) is an American actress. She is best known for playing the role of Dr. Susan Lewis on the NBC medical drama ER, a role for which she received three Emmy Award nominations. Stringfield was a member of ER's original cast, but she quit the show during its third season, despite being contractually tied to appear in five. She returned to the role in 2001, and quit once again in 2005. She is also known for her regular roles on NYPD Blue and Guiding Light. She has acted mainly on television, but she has also played various parts in films.
  • Elizabeth Berkley
    Saved by the Bell, Life Goes On, Brother's Keeper
    Elizabeth Berkley, born on July 28, 1972, in Farmington Hills, Michigan, is an accomplished American actress and reality show personality. She first gained attention as a teenager in the late 1980s, attending Detroit Dance Company and developing a strong passion for ballet. Her dedication to performing arts led her to pursue acting, landing her breakthrough role as Jessie Spano on the popular television sitcom Saved by the Bell. Berkley's transition from teen star to adult actress was marked by her controversial role in Paul Verhoeven's 1995 film Showgirls. The movie, which initially faced negative reviews and box office failure, later achieved cult status and demonstrated Berkley's willingness to take on challenging roles. Despite the early turbulence, she continued to build her career with various roles in films such as The First Wives Club and Any Given Sunday, and television series like CSI: Miami and The L Word. In addition to her acting career, Berkley has made significant contributions to society through her philanthropic work. In 2006, she founded Ask-Elizabeth, a self-help program designed to empower teenage girls. Using her platform to encourage self-esteem and body positivity, Berkley has become a respected figure not only in the entertainment industry but also in the realm of youth mentorship and empowerment.
  • Garcelle Beauvais
    Franklin & Bash, Models Inc., The Jamie Foxx Show
    Garcelle Beauvais (French pronunciation: ​[gaʁsɛl bovɛ]: born November 26, 1966) is a Haitian actress and former fashion model. She is best known for her roles as Francesca "Fancy" Monroe on The WB television sitcom, The Jamie Foxx Show, which ran from 1996 to 2001, and as Valerie Heywood on the ABC crime drama, NYPD Blue.
  • Jessalyn Gilsig
    Vikings, Boston Public, Snoops
    Jessalyn Sarah Gilsig (born November 30, 1971) is a Canadian actress known for her roles in television series, e.g. as Lauren Davis in Boston Public, Gina Russo in Nip/Tuck, Terri Schuester in Glee, and as Siggy Haraldson on the History Channel series Vikings.
  • John F. O'Donohue
    The Ben Stiller Show, The John Larroquette Show
    John F. O'Donohue is an American actor and former police officer who is perhaps best known for his role as Sgt. Eddie Gibson in the television series NYPD Blue.