To David Caruso: an actor who's a law unto himself

Interview, Jan, 1995 by Jeffrey Slonim

The most famous living Caruso--David--turns thirty-nine on January 17. We've all seen the carrot-topped star on the hit show NYPD Blue, where he won recognition for his thespian abilities and for baring his pale posterior. Caruso brought street calm, big-city verisimilitude, and humanity to his character, Detective John Kelly. Meanwhile, Caruso's gluteus maximus picked up the pulse in millions and millions of American homes. Men, women, gay, straight, cops, robbers--everybody loves his ass.

Caruso asked for $100,000 an episode after the show's surprisingly successful first season. The producers balked, and the actor walked. Before all the TV hoopla, Caruso had already had a number of beefy film parts under his belt: He played the cadet who nearly drowned in An Officer and a Gentleman, a wigged-out psycho in First Blood, and an earnest cop in Mad Dog and Glory. And what of Caruso's red-hot potential on the big screen? The birthday boy will get a chillin' $1 million for his starring role in the upcoming flick Kiss of Death. Who knows? Caruso may be the first redhead to make it big as a matinee idol since Jimmy Cagney and Spencer Tracy.

As a birthday tribute to the ex-boy in blue, we talked to his toughest audience--New York City cops. We hung out in front of the 9th and 13th precincts in Manhattan, asking the city's finest to offer birthday greetings to the actor who, for one brief season, portrayed one of their own on the wee screen.

POLICE OFFICER JOHN PAONE: "They film the show out front here, and they set up their camera across the street. Caruso's a very good actor. It's weird seeing the cast in person. The bald guy, Dennis Franz, is a really nice guy. He talks to you; he's real."

POLICE OFFICER TOM WESTON: "When they film out of my precinct on 5th Street, parking is a little tricky. However, the stars give us autographs or pictures. Caruso was good on the show. My birthday wish: Have a good one."

POLICE OFFICER SANDRA JACKSON: "I couldn't believe that first love scene between him and Amy Brenneman. It was hot. [sings like Marilyn Monroe to John F. Kennedy] Happy birthday, dear David, happy birthday to you." [blow a kiss]

SERGEANT JANICE MAHER: "I miss him a little bit. David Caruso's a major heartthrob."

POLICE OFFICER GEORGE SANTIAGO: "David Caruso was excellent. I remember him from Mad Dog and Glory. He played a cop in that, too--very realistic. He didn't look like he was acting. I hope he comes back to NYPD Blue someday."

POLICE OFFICER ED LYONS: "I think Caruso will do O.K. in the movies, but I don't think he'll be a superstar like Bruce Willis."

POLICE OFFICER ADAM COSTANTINO: "If Caruso hadn't come on with all that attitude, he might have had a better chance of staying on the show. My birthday wish to David Caruso: Lots of luck finding another job."

POLICE OFFICER JAMES NEWTON: "Good luck to David Caruso. But keep in mind, there are a lot of people who left television and didn't make it in the movies. Case in point: Shelley Long."

POLICE OFFICER DAN SARRUBBO: "I've only watched NYPD Blue three times--the camera movement made me sick."

POLICE OFFICER YON CHANG: "Bring him back."