Daily BirthdaysDennis Franz
When casting the pilot for NYPD Blue, producers Steven Bochco and David Milch already had actor Dennis Franz in mind for the starring role of Detective Andy Sipowicz. Bochco and Milch worked with Franz on their highly acclaimed series, Hill Street Blues where the down-to-earth actor won attention for playing not one but two different roles -- first, Sal Benedetto and later, Detective Norman Buntz. Born Dennis Schlachta (he took his father's first name as his stage name), Franz seemed destined to play police officers throughout his career from his first professional stage role in the Chicago production of Cops. Now entering his ninth season with NYPD Blue, Franz has won four Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series and two Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG) for his performance as one of television's most intriguing and realistic cops.
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Dennis Franz Facts
| Birth Name | Dennis Schlachta |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Birthday | October 28, 1944 (64) |
| Sign | Scorpio |
| Birthplace | Chicago, Illinois, USA |
| Height | 5' 10" (1m78) |
| Awards | 1997 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Best Male Actor in a Drama Series (for NYPD Blue) |
| 1995 Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor in a Television Series - Drama (for NYPD Blue) | |
| 1995 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Best Male Actor in a Drama Series (for NYPD Blue) |