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Dennis Franz

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Dennis Franz: Biography

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Birth Name: Dennis Franz Schlachta
Birth Place: Maywood, IL
Date of Birth / Zodiac Sign: 10/28/1944, Scorpio
Profession: Actor

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Dennis Franz Fast Facts:

Served a tour of duty in Vietnam.
Worked briefly as a Chicago postman.
Joined the Organic Theatre Company in 1972, along with actor Joe Mantegna.
Cast in the 1978 comedy-drama A Wedding by Robert Altman, who encouraged him to pursue an acting career in Los Angeles.
His character on Steven Bochco's Hill Street Blues was killed off so he could join another Bochco series, the short-lived Bay City Blues.
Wore a wig and zombie make-up to play the title character in the Dixie Chicks' 1999 video "Goodbye Earl."
Was nominated for an Outstanding Lead Actor Emmy for his work on NYPD Blue every year from 1994 to 2001, taking home a total of four trophies during the series' run.
Has played a cop nearly 30 times in his career.

Dennis Franz Relationships:
Eleanor Schlachta - Mother
Franz Schlachta - Father
Heidi Deigl - Sister
Joanie Zeck - Wife
Krista - Stepdaughter
Marlene Schraut - Sister
Tricia - Stepdaughter
Dennis Franz Awards:
1994 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series - Winner
1995 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series - Nominee
1996 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor for a Drama Series - Winner
1997 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series - Winner
1998 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series - Nominee
1999 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series - Winner
2000 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series - Nominee
2001 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series - Nominee
1993 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television - Nominee
1994 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television - Nominee
1995 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama - Winner
2001 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series - Nominee
2000 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series - Nominee
1999 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series - Nominee
1999 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series - Nominee
1998 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series - Nominee
1998 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series - Nominee
1997 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series - Nominee
1997 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series - Nominee
1996 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series - Nominee
1996 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series - Winner
1995 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series - Nominee
1995 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series - Nominee
1994 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series - Winner
1994 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series - Winner
College:
Attended Wilber Wright College, Chicago, IL; Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL (BA in Speech and Drama, 1968)