Dennis Franz

Biography

Date of Birth 28 October 1944, Chicago, Illinois, USA Birth Name Dennis Franz Schlacta Height 5' 10" (1.78 m) Franz was born Dennis Franz Schlachta in Chicago, Illinois to Eleanor, a postal worker, and Franz Schlachta, a German immigrant[1] who worked as a baker and postal worker.[2] Franz is a graduate of Proviso East High School (in Maywood, Illinois) and Southern Illinois University Carbondale.[3] After graduating college, Franz was drafted into the United States Army. He served eleven months in an airborne division in Vietnam.[4] He is a supporter of the United States military in the Global War on Terrorism. Franz urged Americans to get behind the troops saying “They are defending our country. Thank God that we have people in this world that are willing to do it".[5] [edit] Career Franz began his acting career at Chicago's famed Organic Theater Company. Although he has in the past performed Shakespeare, his "look" led to his being typecast early in his career as a police officer. (By Franz' own count, the character of Detective Andy Sipowicz was his 27th role as a police officer). He has also guest-starred in shows such as The A-Team. Other major roles were on the television series Hill Street Blues and short-lived Beverly Hills Buntz as the morally-questionable Norman Buntz. Franz went on to win four Emmy Awards for his portrayal of Andy Sipowicz on NYPD Blue. The character of Sipowicz was ranked #23 on Bravo's 100 Greatest TV Characters list