From beat cops and detectives to captains, sergeants and public officials, the men of Hill Street Blues helped redefine television drama.
Some were tough, some eccentric, some deeply flawed and others quietly heroic, but together they helped create one of the most believable ensemble casts ever seen on television.
This page celebrates the actors whose performances brought humour, realism, emotion and humanity to the streets of Hill Street.
Gerry took up acting when a voice coach suggested he had potential. This eventually led him to a number of Shakespearean roles.
He also had some success in the world of advertising commercials, an area where he is still active today.
As well as appearing on television in shows like Starsky and Hutch, NYPD Blue, ER and The King of Queens, he is also credited with several movies.
Promoted to Lieutenant in the second series at Goldblume's expense, Chesley is credited with 13 episodes, mostly in the first season.
A very powerful actor with a gaze that holds you until he has said his line.
It seems very odd that this excellent actor has never made the “big time”.
After HSB, Taurean has been in the odd movie and has had supporting parts in television series.
He is also active in the world of theatre, but somehow has not yet had the big starring role his talent deserves.
Played so brilliantly as the partner and friend to J.D. LaRue, Washington was a “cool dude” and a joker who could chew on a sliver of wood for hours, and was nearly always right about things.
However, when he shoots an innocent man, he has a hard time adjusting to it, showing his sensitive side.
His career really started with Hill Street, having done little before apart from fighting in the 1975 Golden Gloves at Madison Square Garden.
Since then he has been working almost non-stop, appearing in a number of popular television shows and movies.
Brought in for the last series as a new partner for Sgt. Lucille Bates after Joe's death.
When Grace Gardner returns to the Hill as Sister Chastity, she eventually gives in to his undoubted charm and tries to seduce him.
Michael won two Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actor for his short time in this role.
He died from cancer in November 1983, aged just 58.
It was his request that, when writing him out of the show, it would be said he had died of a heart attack during sex with Grace Gardner.
It was thought his role could not be filled by anyone and so a new duty Sergeant, Sgt. Jablonski, was cast to take his place and did a good job in his own style.
His roll call was usually the start of each episode. He was one of the most loved characters and his catchphrase, “Let's be careful out there”, has endured down the years.
If you want to see the first time he said it go here.
Born in New York and a lifelong opera lover, Jon started acting in 1956 and had roles in Knots Landing and Dynasty before joining HSB.
He is also well known for his roles in Major Dad and Santa Barbara and appeared in the movie Masters of the Universe, as well as Murder, She Wrote, Tour of Duty and Walker, Texas Ranger.
The role of Chief of Police was one that Jon made his own.
A pompous, self-opinionated man, he was also going to be one of life's survivors.
Throughout his time as Furillo's boss, he made the man's job much tougher with his ability to listen intently to what Furillo had to say — and then completely ignore it.
Nicaraguan-born Rene first started acting in the sixties, appearing in NYPD, and first played a Lieutenant in the television series Police Woman. He later reappeared in it as different characters.
After HSB he appeared in a couple more television series but sadly passed away in March 1990, the same year as Kiel Martin.
A fiery Latino Lieutenant, he often crossed swords with his colleagues but never fell out with them.
He later became a Police Captain.
One of the highlights of the series is when he serves at work some tea sent by a relative that had been mixed with marijuana.
As a result, most of the station gets high.
Dennis Franz Schlachta, known professionally as Dennis Franz, was popular with Steven Bochco and later worked again with him and fellow HSB actor Caruso in NYPD Blue.
After Caruso moved on, many said Dennis made the show his own.
He also turned his hand to writing, producing and, in recent years, house design.
Dennis first played Sal Benedetto in the first series. He was written out of the program, but later returned playing Lt. Buntz — and we all pretended not to notice.
The character of Norman Buntz was kept alive after Hill Street stopped in the short-lived spin-off Beverly Hills Buntz (1987/88), in which Buntz becomes a private eye.
Still acting, but also producing and directing television drama, including episodes of NYPD Blue, Charles was originally just a “guest star” in the pilot as a favour for his friend Steven Bochco.
He shot a pilot for a proposed NBC hospital drama series, but it was never picked up by the network.
So he asked Bochco if his character could be resurrected and made into a regular in the series.
He was booked for one episode, but executives at NBC had seen the strong connection with his partner Michael Warren and decided there was a future for the Hill and Renko team.
The tough “red neck” officer sometimes lets his temper get him into trouble.
Quick to judge a situation, he often got it wrong, but underneath the tough exterior was a gentle and caring man.
His relationship with partner Bobby Hill was explored throughout the series and his catchphrase was: “Lordy, Bobby Hill”.
Dan quickly established himself as a supporting actor, often playing sleazy villains, and was perfectly cast as the sleazy “bent cop” Macafee.
He went on to appear in a huge number of productions on both the big and little screen, as well as on stage.
He even had the “honour” of being Carla's husband in Cheers and playing former President Richard Nixon in the film Dick.
What us English call a “bent copper” — corrupt — Macafee causes Furillo much aggravation, but is finally brought down.
He also sneaked back three years later for a single episode to play a bum involved in a fight with Belker.
After Hill Street, Robert appeared in several television series including Law & Order and The Sopranos.
He was also a published food critic. Sadly, he passed away in December 2009.
Robert's widow Nancy has been a great supporter of this website.
This is a brief quote from a friend of his that says a lot about him:
For more than 80 episodes Robert brilliantly “underplayed” the lovable Leo Schnitz, the man who somehow keeps the station house working from crisis to crisis.
For a short while there was romance in the air between Desk Officer Natalie Deroy (Ellen Blake), who brought a sparkle into his life.
It also brought a sparkle to the series, with viewers wondering if the bashful pair would ever get together.
Peter is an American character actor who, in his own words, has played “a number of fruits and nuts” throughout his acting career.
Like so many others, he also turned up in Bochco's L.A. Law and NYPD Blue, but his most famous role was as Londo Mollari in Babylon 5.
He also starred in the short-lived series Beverly Hills Buntz with Dennis Franz.
Lt. Norman Buntz's top informant and sometimes friend, Sidney famously said:
When Buntz eventually hits Chief Daniels he is fired and, with Sid as his partner, goes to Los Angeles to set up as private investigators in the short-lived series Beverly Hills Buntz.
Vincent's big break was HSB, having started acting some five years earlier.
He appeared in 15 episodes in total and later had parts in Cheers, The Incredible Hulk, Night Court and the movie Blue Collar.
In 1973 he married Dean Martin's daughter Claudia Martin, but it only lasted a year.
Claudia was previously married to Kiel Martin (LaRue) and had a son by him.
Fuchs was a friend and confidant to Capt. Frank Furillo from Midtown Vice and Special Narcotics, which was later revealed to be corrupt and out of control.
When he learns it is to be shut down, Fuchs quits rather than be fired, leaving to set up his own private investigation firm.
Fuchs later attempts to kill Mayor Cleveland and then suffers a heart attack while trying to escape.
“Big” Ed was a former Minnesota Vikings running back before going into television.
He was only supposed to last four episodes before perishing, but his chemistry with Betty Thomas allowed him to last five seasons.
He later went on to appear in Falcon Crest, Dynasty and Monk.
Joe, a Vietnam veteran, was often teamed with Lucille Bates and their love-hate friendship sometimes threatened to get in the way of the job — but never did.
During the series we find out he is a compulsive gambler and he finally loses his life when he stumbles onto a robbery.
He was also meant to die earlier in the series, but this was changed to a serious injury because the relationship worked so well with Bates.
It has been said he did not act in HSB, he just played himself.
It is true that, just like J.D., Kiel was a recovering alcoholic and was married three times, including to Dean Martin's daughter Claudia, but they all ended in divorce after only a couple of years.
He had been a stand-up comedian, dockworker and musician before turning to acting.
Sadly, he died in 1990 of lung cancer aged just 46 and was working right to the end.
Kiel brilliantly played the recovering alcoholic “J.D.”.
What many did not know at the time was that he was one in real life as well.
Nicknamed “Lover” by his partner Washington because that was how he saw himself, although the ladies did not always agree.
A regular practical joker, especially when the target was Howard Hunter, somehow he was the only officer able to aim insults and abuse at Belker and get away with it!
His first television role was playing Rick in Family Affair and he only seems to have had a few other roles, including three different characters in JAG and some early comedy appearances.
If anyone knows more, please email in.
He appeared in more than 30 episodes, but for some reason was not always credited.
Ballantine rarely has much to say except in response to his commander Lt. Hunter's orders or theories.
This however leads him to harbour deep resentment toward Lt. Hunter.
Howard Hunter is completely unaware of this until petty thefts of Howard's property start to happen.
Once caught, Ballantine has a complete psychotic break that includes armed hostage-taking.
Ken came late to Hill Street Blues and left before the end to appear in Falcon Crest.
He will perhaps be best remembered for his starring role between 1987 and 1991 as Michael Steadman in Thirtysomething.
He has also produced and directed a number of productions.
Harry is a young, good-looking detective with a gambling addiction, usually paired with the delectable Detective Patsy Mayo, with whom he continually flirts.
He studies at night for a law degree so he can get away from being a policeman, but ends up heavily in debt to loan sharks and is eventually stabbed to death.
He appeared in some 27 episodes over two seasons.
Being 6ft 2 inches tall, J.A. has often ended up cast as a person of authority, such as a judge, officer or mayor.
He has appeared in Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins, A Few Good Men, Air Force One, Dallas, 21 Jump Street and Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, as well as The A-Team.
Ozzie's meteoric rise to power is chronicled throughout the series.
At the start he is a Homicide Lieutenant and president of the Black Officers' Coalition.
He rises to become Commander and by the end of the fourth series is Mayor.
He survives an assassination attempt by the disgraced former Captain Jerry Fuchs.
Replacing Michael Conrad was an unenviable task for any actor, but Robert was up to the job.
Never trying to be Esterhaus, he filled the gap and slowly found his way into viewers' hearts in his own right.
He was offered the part of Coach in Cheers, but turned it down because of other commitments.
He died just short of his 78th birthday in December 2008.
Character actor Robert was brought in to replace the much-loved Michael Conrad when he died in 1984.
He brought his own catchphrase to the show:
This line has often been used to illustrate how attitudes toward policing changed during the eighties.
Little seems to be documented about Nick's later life after his 12 episodes in HSB.
He certainly crops up playing small parts in series like Matlock, Knight Rider and Hunter, including an amusing scene with his friend Redd Foxx in Sanford, where he plays a Krishna devotee.
He also appeared in films like Friday the 13th Part III, Fright Night and Harlem Nights, but seems to have stopped acting in the nineties.
James Logan was Belker's adversary — the bald pickpocket.
Week after week he would be caught and booked, usually while Belker was taking a phone call from his mum.
Each time he used a different made-up name like “Curtis Interruptus”.
We only discover his real name when he lies dying in Belker's arms and asks him to phone his mother.
James had already enjoyed a successful career before his shrewd selection for the cast of HSB, although he would agree it was this role that made him a star and household name.
His career continued into his eighties, when he appears to have stopped acting in 2012.
His son Andrew followed him into acting and worked with Steven Bochco and David Milch, along with other actors from HSB, playing a Sergeant in NYPD Blue.
His portrayal of Lt. Howard Hunter was based on a drill instructor he knew in the military — poor man!
Often the brunt of many jokes, Howard was a decorated Marine and veteran of the Vietnam War who headed up the EAT (Emergency Action Team) Squad — today more commonly called SWAT.
He was always “up for the fight”, even when there was none.
As the series develops, so does Howard, who always listens to Furillo — even if it sometimes takes him a while to agree.
An excellent character actor and supporter of this website, Joe has appeared in many films and television shows.
He later worked again with Bochco in Murder One and NYPD Blue, and has had a recurring role in NCIS.
He is also involved with children's charities including Families with Children from China and the Half the Sky Foundation.
Joe has two adopted Chinese children.
Very active in theatre, helping to found the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, in 2008 he performed a one-man show about Buckminster Fuller.
Henry is the exact opposite of Howard Hunter.
A sensitive and deeply dedicated Community Affairs officer, he sometimes suffered as much as the victims he was helping.
Known for his bow tie and desire not to draw his gun, he is married with three children, but his wife divorces him after he is shot.
After a brief affair with Fay Furillo, he unexpectedly ends up a rich man when a very sexy mobster's wife, with whom he had fallen in love, is murdered and leaves him a fortune.
Born in California in 1944, Jeff has been acting since 1977 and is always at his best when playing offbeat characters like Judge Wachtel, or many of the other rather odd authority figures he has portrayed.
He also had a recurring role in Bochco's L.A. Law.
Jeffrey has also been involved in a number of productions as a voice actor and received four Emmy nominations for his performance as Hank Kingsley on The Larry Sanders Show.
The bizarre character of Judge Wachtel was expanded throughout the series, often bringing high comedy to proceedings.
Do you remember him in a dress, smoking a pipe while conducting a case?
As a student he studied law with Joyce Davenport.
Appearing at first as an unscrupulous and suspect attorney, he later becomes a judge and appears to mature.
An almost perfect character role made Daniel a star and Emmy winner, although at times Mr. Travanti has given the impression that he does not fully appreciate what the program did for him.
Perhaps one day we will hear from him on the subject, but few can doubt his ability and achievements.
He went on to appear in numerous films and television shows, but seems to enjoy working on the stage more.
More recently he has had a recurring role in NCIS: Los Angeles.
The boss of Hill Street and the man who held everyone together.
Nicknamed “Pizza Man” by his lover, and later wife, Joyce Davenport.
He is also a recovering alcoholic and the protégé of Chief Daniels, with whom he regularly disagrees.
Many people — the webmaster included — will happily admit that when one of life's problems occurred, they would think:
Michael played basketball at UCLA before becoming an actor.
He played on two NCAA title teams with Lew Alcindor — later Kareem Abdul-Jabbar — as the star.
(Info courtesy Steve Kelman.)
He was inducted into the Pac-10 Men's Basketball Hall of Honour in 2009 and is father-in-law to Jessica Alba.
Amazingly, he has never received the star billing many feel he deserves, although he has appeared in many television series since HSB.
However, he has built a new career for himself in photography and image editing, as can be seen in this video and on Instagram.
Partnered with “Cowboy” Renko, the two survived the first episode shoot-out by popular demand and went on to become mainstays of the series.
A complicated character, Bobby wins $100,000 in the lottery and then loses $30,000 of it gambling.
His basketball skills were used in the series during a cops versus gang members basketball game, where Bobby takes the would-be winning shot — only for a gang member in the crowd to shoot the ball off the rim.
Despite always being thought of as Belker, Bruce has managed to build a career as the great actor he is.
He has had numerous other roles, including appearances in Half Past Dead and Deep Impact, and is known by a whole new generation as Anthony Zacchara from General Hospital, appearing in some 250 episodes.
Bruce went to the audition for HSB dressed as he thought the character might behave and look.
Once in the room he jumped up on the desk of MTM co-founder Grant Tinker and tried to lead him off by the nose.
Grant is rumoured to have said:
For many of us, the “other” star of the show, Belker is as tough as they get — except where his mum and sister are concerned.
Usually undercover, he is a great success because no one would believe he was a policeman.
Prone to calling people “dog breath” or “hair bag”, and occasionally biting them.
He also had a soft side and was especially fond of large white Alsatians.
During the series, after a short romance, he marries Officer Robin Tataglia and they have a son.
George started his acting career in the early seventies and is still active today, having guest-starred in over 150 television shows.
He was also cast by his friend Bochco in both NYPD Blue and L.A. Law.
Outside of HSB, George is perhaps best known for his role as Colonel Sandurz in the comedy Spaceballs.
He has also appeared in Fletch, Fletch Lives and American Pie 2.
The incorruptible Assistant District Attorney who refers to himself as “Mrs. Bernstein's son”.
He later becomes part of Furillo's Commission on Corruption.
Although on opposite sides, Irwin is clearly attracted to Joyce Davenport and even risks a kiss toward the end of the series.
Soon afterwards he moves to Los Angeles to enter private practice.
Not officially members of the Hill Street precinct, but impossible to imagine the series without them.
The gang conferences became some of the most memorable scenes in the show, balancing tension, humour, politics and uneasy respect between the streets and the police.
Whether negotiating truces, arguing over territory or simply trying to outwit Captain Furillo, these men became an important part of the world of Hill Street Blues.
Although he only had a small but recurring role in HSB, David played it for all it was worth and many people could already see star potential.
This would later lead him to work again with Bochco and Dennis Franz in NYPD Blue.
That was followed by a long string of film and television appearances, most notably his ten-plus-year run in CSI: Miami.
Leader of an Irish street gang called the Shamrocks, Tommy was always as ready to listen as he was to fight — as long as there was something in it for him and the Shamrocks.
His warm Irish smile could light up any gang conference... at least until Martinez realised he was not laughing with you, but at you!
Troy was a solid actor who also turned his hand to directing.
He started acting at the M.C. Williams High School Drama Department and everyone could see he was a natural.
He landed his first role aged 24 in Palmerstown, U.S.A. and the following year joined the cast of Hill Street, where he stayed for four years.
He also found a regular role in Rhythm & Blues and later directed Up Against the 8 Ball (2004).
Sadly, he passed away in 2009 aged just 51.
Leader of the Mau Maus gang, Dudley Hicks was perhaps the quietest of the gang leaders most of the time.
Though you can still imagine Martinez saying:
Bobby trained at the American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco.
After seven appearances in HSB he also managed to find occasional acting roles in series like Knots Landing and The Fall Guy.
Since 2006 he has been the voice of the Sheriff in Squidbillies:
Leader of the Blood Gang, Abdul attended multiple gang meetings at the precinct house to negotiate “turf” boundaries and truces in exchange for less police attention.
He had little love, but a fair amount of respect, for his fellow gang leaders.
Trinidad was tragically killed in a car accident in July 1988, aged just 38, while making the film UHF.
The film was later dedicated to his memory.
Leader of the Diablos and later becoming a lawyer — “Ehh, Frankie... only in America!” — Jesus became a strong ally and friend of Frank, who recognised both his strengths and his difficult position in the gang world.
Watch his first bust-up with Frank in The “Garbage” clip.
“Ehh Frankie!” One of the classic confrontations between Captain Furillo and gang leader Jesus Martinez, showing the mixture of humour, tension and street politics that made the gang conferences such memorable moments in Hill Street Blues.
Many of the photographs featured on this page have been gathered over many years from public sources, promotional material and fan collections connected with Hill Street Blues.
If you believe that any image has been used in error or may infringe copyright, please contact the Webmaster and the item will be credited correctly or removed immediately.
Likewise, if you worked on the show, appeared in it, own a better quality photograph, or can add information or corrections to any of these entries, your contribution would be genuinely appreciated.
Thank you to everyone who has helped preserve the history and legacy of Hill Street Blues.