Dennis Franz served 11 months in an airborne division during the Vietnam War. After returning home and a brief stint as a postman, Franz began acting. He made his big picture debut in 1978 in Brian De Palma’s The Fury. Franz’s career became intertwined with producer Steven Bochco’s, with Franz appearing in Bay City Blues and Hill Street Blues. Franz later won two Emmy Awards for his role as Detective Andy Sipowicz in Bochco’s drama NYPD Blue. He has appeared in a number of feature films, including Popeye and City of Angels.