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NBC’s serial police drama aired from 1981-1987. Portraying the realities of urban living in the 80s, ‘Hill Street Blues’ was landmark television programming. Its debut season earned eight Emmys; overall the show received a total of 98 nominations. (he cast went down in pop culture history because of the humorously large number of actors that would swarm the stage for their awards.) See what the cast is up to now…![Daniel J Travanti Then]()
Before he was cast as Capt. Frank Furillo (a role for which he earned two Emmys), Travanti appeared in an episode of ‘The Reporter.’![Daniel J Travanti Now]()
Now 69, Travanti hasn’t been seen on screen much since ‘Hill Street Blues.’ He’s done bit parts on series like ‘Missing Persons’ and ‘Prison Break’ and has done off-Broadway theater work.![Michael Warren Then]()
Roles on ‘Sierra,’ ‘Paris,’ and ‘The White Shadow’ as well as 70s cult classic ‘Norman… is that You?’ led to Warren’s being cast as Officer Robert “Bobby” Hill.![Michael Warren Now]()
After ‘Hill Street,’ Warren starred in the series ‘Living Single' and ‘Girfriends.’ Now 63, Warren has four children. The actor has a celebrity daughter-in-law: Son Cash is married to Jessica Alba. (REUTERS)![Betty Thomas Then]()
Thomas got her start with the Second City comedy group, and then comedy programs like ‘The Fun Factory,’ but her big break came with the dramatic role of Sgt. Lucy Bates. She was nominated for six Emmys while on ‘Hill Street Blues,’ and won one.![Betty Thomas Now]()
After ‘Hill Street Blues,’ Thomas moved into directing, working on series like ‘Doogie Howser, M.D.’ and movies like ‘The Brady Bunch Movie,’ ‘Private Parts,’ and ’28 Days.’ Thomas, 61, is also a successful producer, having produced films like ‘Can’t Hardly Wait’ and ‘Charlie’s Angels.’ (AP)![Michael Conrad Then]()
Before ‘Hill Street,’ Conrad had extensive tv and movie roles, including his portrayal of NFL player Nate Scarboro in 1974’s ‘The Longest Yard.’ TV shows include ‘Flipper,’ ‘Charlie’s Angels,’ ‘Little House on the Prairie,’ and ‘Starsky and Hutch.’![Michael Conrad 1925 1983]()
Sadly, Conrad died from urethral cancer during the show’s fourth season. The actor won two Emmys for his role as cop Phil Esterhaus.![Bruce Weitz Then]()
Weitz is best known for his first major role, that of Sgt. Michael “Mick” Belker (he won an Emmy for his portrayal in 1984).![Bruce Weitz Now]()
Now 68, Weitz has appeared in films like ‘Deep Impact.’ His TV roles include ‘NYPD Blue,’ ‘The West Wing’ and ‘Highlander,’ as well as a recurring role on soap ‘General Hospital.’ (REUTERS)![Dennis Franz Then]()
Before he was Lt. Norman Buntz, Franz began his acting career at Chicago's Organic Theater Company. (AP)![Dennis Franz Now]()
After 'Hill Street,' Franz, 65, went on to another successful cop show, 'NYPD Blue.' He's made a career of playing police officers; By Franz' own count, the character of Detective Andy Sipowicz was his 27th role as a cop. He won four Emmys for his work in 'NYPD Blue.' Film credits include 'City of Angels' and 'Die Hard 2.' Franz also starred as "Earl" in the Dixie Chicks' music video 'Goodbye Earl.' (AP)![Ed Marinaro Then]()
Before he tried his hand at acting, Marinaro played football for Cornell University, where he set over 16 NCAA records. He also played in the NFL for the Minnesota Vikings. Roles on series like 'Laverne & Shirley' led to his 'Hill Street' role of Officer Joe Coffey.![Ed Marinaro Now]()
After 'Hill Street,' Marinaro continued acting, appearing on shows like 'Falcon Crest' (five episodes), 'Dynasty,' and starring in 'Sisters' for four years. Recent credits for the actor, 59, include '8 Simple Rules... for Dating My Teenage Daughter' and 'Monk.'![Barbara Bosson Then]()
Before she was Fay Furillo, Bosson starred in 1970s series 'Richie Brockelman, Private Eye. (AP)![Barbara Bosson Now]()
After six seasons of 'Hill Street Blues,' Bosson went on to star in 'Murder One.' She earned an Emmy for her role as Miriam Grasso. Now 70, Bosson has made appearances on shows like 'L.A. Law,' and 'Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman.' (REUTERS)![Charles Haid Then]()
The cousin of Merv Griffin, Haid got his start in showbiz in theater. He’s best known for his role as Officer Andy Renko.![Charles Haid Now]()
Now 66, Haid’s credits include the film ‘Altered States. He starred in NBC show ‘Third Watch’ in 2004-2005, and has appeared on ‘Nip/Tuck,’ ‘NYPD Blue,’ and ‘Criminal Minds.’ The actor voiced rabbit Lucky Jack in Disney’s animated 2004 film ‘Home on the Range.’ (REUTERS)![Joe Spano Then]()
San Francisco improv group The Wing started Spano's showbiz career. Bit roles in 'American Graffiti' and 'The Enforcer' led to his role as Det. Harry Goldblume.![Joe Spano Now]()
After 'Hill Street Blues' ended, Spano appeared in series like 'Murder One,' 'The X-Files,' and 'NYPD Blue.' He won an Emmy in 1988 for Best Guest Actor for his work on an episode of 'Midnight Caller.' Spano, 63, has appeared in 27 films, including 'Apollo 13' and 'Primal Fear. He has been a recurring character on series 'NCIS' since its first episode. (REUTERS)![Kiel Martin Then]()
Once married to Dean Martin’s daughter, Kiel appeared in TV shows like ‘Dragnet’ and ‘Gunsmoke’ before his role as Officer John “J.D.’ LaRue.![Kiel Martin 1944 1990]()
After ‘Hill Street,’ Martin appeared in ‘Father Dowling Mysteries,’ ‘L.A. Law’ and ‘Murder, She Wrote’ before dying of lung cancer in 1990.![Rene Enriquez Then]()
Enriquez is best remembered for his role as Lt. Ray Calletano, but he had many roles previous to 'Hill Street Blues,' including the films 'The Evil That Men Do' and 'Bananas.' He was also a TV vet, having appeared in ABC Afterschool Specials and series like 'Benson.'![Rene Enriquez 1933 1990]()
After 'Hill Street,' Enriquez (not to be confused with the notorious Mexican criminal), went on to appear on 'Perry Mason' and mini-series 'Dream West' before passing away in 1990. Enriquez was 56 when he died of pancreatic cancer.![James Sikking Then]()
Prior to being cast as Lt. Howard Hunter, Sikking appeared in the films 'Ordinary People' and shows like 'Charlie's Angels' and 'The Rockford Files.'![James Sikking Now]()
Now 65, Sikking is known for his 'Hill Street' role, as well as his starring role in ABC series 'Doogie Howser, M.D.' His films include 'Star Trek III: The Search for Spock,' 2005's 'Fever Pitch' and 2008 romantic comedy 'Made of Honor.' (REUTERS)![Veronica Hamel Then]()
Hamel began her career as a model; she appeared in the last cigarette commercial televised in the U.S. before being cast as Joyce Davenport. She was nominated for five Emmys for the role. (AP)![Veronica Hamel Now]()
Hamel appeared in the films ‘A New Life’ and ‘Taking Care of Business.’ Now 65, her recent credits include ‘Third Watch’ and ‘Lost.’![Taurean Blacque Then]()
Born Herbert Middleton Jr, Blacque is known for his ‘Hill Street’ role of Det. Neal Washington. He wound up with the role after making appearances on sitcoms like ‘What’s Happening’ and ‘The Bob Newhart Show.’![Taurean Blacque Now]()
After ‘Hill Street,’ Blacque, who is a spokesperson for adoptive services, moved to Atlanta, Georgia and focused on theater and raising his family. The actor, now 68, has ten adopted children and two biological children. Blacque has done TV guest spots and had a small role in the Disney animated film ‘Oliver & Company.’ (REUTERS)![Jeffrey Tambor Then]()
Tambor appeared on 'The Twilight Zone,' 'Three's Company,' 'The Love Boat' and many other TV shows and movies before being cast as Judge Alan Wachtel on 'Hill Street Blues.'![Jeffrey Tambor Now]()
The biggest star to come out of 'Hill Street Blues,' Jeffrey Tambor is best known today for his role in the cult hit series 'Arrested Development.' Among his other extensive credits are series 'American Dreamer,' 'The Golden Girls,' and 'The Practice.' His many films include 'There's Something About Mary,' 'How the Grinch Stole Christmas,' 'Girl, Interrupted,' 'The Hangover,' and 'The Invention of Lying' (in theaters soon). A film version of 'Arrested Development' has been announced, set to come out in 2011. (AP)Then/Now: The Cast of 'Hill Street Blues'
“Let’s be careful out there” was their weekly admonishment. Have they been?
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- Then/Now: The Cast of 'Hill Street Blues'
