Watching now, it’s fun to spot the not-yet famous David Caruso and Dan Hedaya in small roles in the first season, Alfre Woodard in the fourth season, Ken Olin in the fifth, Dennis Franz ...

Among Hill Street Blues ' many innovations, says David Bianculli, was focusing on a large ensemble cast instead of one or two central stars.

Steven Bochco was furious because he built the cop show around Caruso. The prolific producer had previously given Caruso a recurring role as an Irish street gang leader in Hill Street Blues.

So "Hill Street Blues" was a bomb exploding a tidy landscape. Its story threads continued week to week, through a sprawling ensemble cast and continuing guest stars.

Caruso’s 14-year acting career includes a stint that began in 1983 and continued for the first two seasons of “Hill Street Blues,” also produced by “NYPD” producer Steven Bochco.

Caruso's last acting credit was CSI: Miami. Before that, he appeared in NYPD Blue, Proof of Life, Hill Street Blues and more. In 1994, he snagged a Golden Globe for his role in NYPD Blue.