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Dennis Franz

Dennis Franz

Actor · Born October 28, 1944 (81) · Maywood, Illinois, USA

Dennis Franz (born October 28, 1944, in Maywood, Illinois) is an American actor best known for portraying Detective Andy Sipowicz on the television series NYPD Blue, a role that earned him four Primetime Emmy Awards. He also played Lt. Norman Buntz on Hill Street Blues and appeared in several films directed by Brian De Palma, including Dressed to Kill (1980), Blow Out (1981) and Body Double (1984).

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
October 28, 1944 (81)
From
Maywood, Illinois, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
29 on MovieCove · 55 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 63 days to Oct 26Down 37% in 30 days

What are Dennis Franz's films like?

Across their 12 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Morality and Self.

Genres

Action4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 38th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Crime4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 80th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 52nd percentile
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Morality
43%
Self
17%
Bonds
13%
Society
11%
Survival
8%
Ideas
4%
Power
4%
Justice4 titles, browse their movies with this themeBetrayal3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themeObsession2 titles, browse their movies with this themeSurvival2 titles, browse their movies with this themeGreed2 titles, browse their movies with this themeIsolation2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 11 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 2 · Serious 4 · Dark 5

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 6 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 3

Intense: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their intense movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 0 · Charged 4 · Intense 7

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 2 · Shifting 9 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 8 · Some laughs 1 · Funny 2

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 3 · Even-paced 5 · Relentless 3

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 2 · Engaged 6 · Full focus 3

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 6 · Open-ended 5 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

8 analyzed roles

Usually the Threshold guardian: 3 of 8 analyzed roles.

Threshold guardian
3 of 8
Trickster
2 of 8
Hero
2 of 8
Ally
1 of 8
Show the 8 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
9
Dread
5
Thrilling
4
Melancholic
4
Contemplative
4
Other
7

How their films linger

Thought-provoking5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting3 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 4 with a twist

  • Happy2
  • Bittersweet6
  • Tragic2
  • Ambiguous2

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Dennis Franz's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 23 of their 29 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (12).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Dennis Franz's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

55 credits, 29 with a MovieCove page; 20 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Alf's Hit Talk Show (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • NYPD 24/7 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 7 episodes · Actor

  • TV Revolution (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Bleacher Bums (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Theatre Play

  • City of Angels(1998)

    as Messinger

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • Mighty Ducks the Movie: The First Face-Off(1996)

    as Captain Klegghorn (voice)

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • American Buffalo(1996)

    as Don 'Donny' Dubrow

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Mighty Ducks(1996)

    Show 26 episodes · as Klegghorn (voice)

    Midcredits score: 24th percentile of all shows

  • Texas Justice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Richard

  • Moment of Truth: Caught in the Crossfire (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Gus Payne

  • NYPD Blue(1993)

    Show 261 episodes · as Andy Sipowicz

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all shows

  • The Player(1992)

    as Dennis Franz

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • In the Line of Duty: Siege at Marion(1992)

    as Bob Bryant

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Civil Wars (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show 1 episode · as Murray Seidelman

  • NYPD Mounted (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Anthony 'Tony' Spampatta

  • Die Hard 2(1990)

    as Capt. Carmine Lorenzo

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Nasty Boys (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 12 episodes · as Lt. Stan Krieger

  • Nasty Boys, Part 2: Lone Justice (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Actor

  • The Simpsons(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Dennis Franz (voice)

    Midcredits score: 96th percentile of all shows

  • Christine Cromwell (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Package(1989)

    as Lt. Milan Delich

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Kiss Shot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Max Fleischer

  • Beverly Hills Buntz (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 13 episodes · as Norman Buntz

  • A Fine Mess(1986)

    as Phil

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Matlock(1986)

    Show 2 episodes · as Jack Brennert

    Midcredits score: 58th percentile of all shows

  • Runaway Train(1985)

    as Cop (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all films

  • Scene of the Crime (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Pat Grandy

  • Deadly Messages (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Detective Max Lucas

  • MacGruder and Loud (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Roche

  • Street Hawk(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Inspector Frank Menlo

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all shows

  • Body Double(1984)

    as Rubin

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • Hunter(1984)

    Show 2 episodes · as Sgt. Jackie Molinas

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • E/R (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Scarface(1983)

    as Immigration Officer (voice) (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Bay City Blues (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 8 episodes · as Angelo Carbone

  • Hardcastle and McCormick (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 2 episodes · Actor

  • Psycho II(1983)

    as Warren Toomey

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all films

  • The A-Team(1983)

    Show 1 episode · as Brooks · as Sam Friendly

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all shows

  • T.J. Hooker(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Andros Margolis

    Midcredits score: 15th percentile of all shows

  • Chicago Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 13 episodes · as Officer Joe Gilland

  • Simon & Simon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Show 1 episode · as Frank Mahoney

  • Blow Out(1981)

    as Manny Karp

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • Chicago Story (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Officer Joe Gilland

  • Hill Street Blues(1981)

    Show 44 episodes · as Norman Buntz · as Sal Benedetto

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Popeye(1980)

    as Spike, a Tough

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Dressed to Kill(1980)

    as Detective Marino

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Bleacher Bums (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    Writer · as Zig

  • A Perfect Couple (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Costa

  • Stony Island(1978)

    as Jerry Domino

    Midcredits score: 74th percentile of all films

  • A Wedding(1978)

    as Koons

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Towing (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Al

  • The Fury(1978)

    as Bob Eggleston

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Remember My Name(1978)

    as Franks

    Midcredits score: 61st percentile of all films

  • The Last Affair (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Fight in Bar

  • Mickey One(1965)

    as Minor Role in Dressing Room (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

Career shape

Star power in the 97th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 55 titles from 1965 to 2004; peak year 1984.

Biggest box office

Die Hard 2 (1990)

$240M worldwide

Highest rated

Blow Out (1981)

Midcredits 93rd

Most popular right now

NYPD Blue (1993)

Film career

19652004

Peak 1984 · back in prominent film roles after a quiet stretch. Top draw in 2 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting54 of 55: 53 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score66thWriting2 of 55: 1 only writing, 1 with another role

By decade

1960s1 · acting1970s8 · 8 acting · 1 crew1980s28 · acting1990s14 · acting2000s4 · 3 acting · 1 crew

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 0% of 12 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Dennis Franz's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 67th percentile, the median of all 20; across their 11 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 65th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

65thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Approval · how many liked their films

63rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Reach · how many have seen their films

94thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 11

Midcredits score across 29 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up11
  • 50th to 74th9
  • 25th to 49th5
  • Below 25th4

Shape of the crowd

16 of their 29 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Cult Classic1
  • Crowd Pleaser16
  • Broadly Agreed1
  • Mixed8

Most divisive · actor

Mighty Ducks the Movie: The First Face-Off (1996)

80th percentile spread · 25% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Scarface (1983)

Midcredits 99th · 92% liked

Reviewers score the acting 72/100 in their films, across 9 reviewed titles; fans 81, detractors 48. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Dennis Franz's work okay for kids?

Across up to 8 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore, sex & nudity, profanity and frightening / intense run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore8 titles49–89 · median 70 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity8 titles29–71 · median 58 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity8 titles44–76 · median 58 · moderateheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs7 titles31–45 · median 36 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense8 titles41–79 · median 61 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Dennis Franz work with?

People who share at least 2 of Dennis Franz's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Brian De Palma shares the most, 3.

Directors

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers