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Dennis Franz Biography

Birth Name:Dennis Franz Schlacta

Birth Place:Maywood, Illinois, United States

Profession Actor, Writer, Producer

Fast Facts

  • Serves as a board member of the National Colorectal Cancer Research Alliance
  • His Hollywood Walk of Fame Star is located at 7021 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood, Calif
  • Joined the Organic Theatre Company in 1972 before Robert Altman discovered his talent and encouraged him to move to Los Angeles
  • Quote: "For lack of a better term, they've come up with this phrase sex symbol․ It's flattering, and it should happen to every bald, overweight guy․"
  • Frequently typecast as a policeman, including his most notable character, Detective Andy Sipowicz on "NYBD Blue․"
  • Regularly worked with producer Steven Bochco, appearing in many of his projects
  • Always brings a pet bird with him when he travels
  • Served in a reconnaissance unit in Vietnam for 11 months, after which he suffered from depression
  • Some of his recipes were published in "The Cop Cookbook: Arresting Recipes from the World's Favorite Cops, Good Guys, and Private Eyes" by Greta Garner, Ken Beck and Jim Clark in 1997
  • Both of his parents were postal workers, and he followed in their footsteps for some time before turning to acting

Awards

  • 1994Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Series, Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television: nominated
  • 1994Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: winner
  • 1994Q Award-Best Actor in a Quality Drama Series: winner
  • 1995Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: winner
  • 1995Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: winner
  • 1995Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: winner
  • 1995Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1995Q Award-Best Actor in a Quality Drama Series: nominated
  • 1996Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1996Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1996Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: winner
  • 1996Q Award-Best Actor in a Quality Drama Series: winner
  • 1997Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: winner
  • 1997Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1997OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1997Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: winner
  • 1997Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Series, Drama: nominated
  • 1997TCA Award-Individual Achievement in Drama: nominated
  • 1997Q Award-Best Actor in a Quality Drama Series: winner
  • 1998Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1998Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1998OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1998OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Series: nominated
  • 1998Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1998Golden Satellite Award-Best Actor in a Series, Drama: nominated
  • 1998TCA Award-Individual Achievement in Drama: nominated
  • 1998Q Award-Best Actor in a Quality Drama Series: winner
  • 1999Saturn Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
  • 1999Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1999Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1999Blockbuster Entertainment Award-Favorite Supporting Actor - Drama/Romance: nominated
  • 1999OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 1999Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: winner
  • 1999TV Guide Award-Favorite Actor in a Drama: nominated
  • 1999TCA Award-Individual Achievement in Drama: nominated
  • 1999Q Award-Best Actor in a Quality Drama Series: winner
  • 2000Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2000Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2000OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2000Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2000TV Guide Award-Favorite Actor in a Drama: nominated
  • 2000Q Award-Best Actor in a Quality Drama Series: nominated
  • 2001Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2001Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2002Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
  • 2004Prism Award-Performance in a Drama Series Episode: winner