Not only was NYPD Blue a long running show, but the crew and much of the cast stayed with the series from beginning to end and became great friends. It’s been off the air for two years and most of the people involved on the show haven’t seen each other since. Former producer Bill Clark organized a big reunion the other night at the Buca di Beppo Italian restaurant at Universal Citywalk. It was a surprise party for Ray Latulipe, who played a recurring detective, Josh Astrachan, on the show for 59 episodes and was recently diagnosed with cancer. Ray was with the show from beginning to end – when he wasn’t acting on it he was working off-camera doing a variety of things like taking people on tours of the set or collecting bets for sporting events pools. So everybody knew Ray. When they heard he was sick they got together and threw him a big party – over a hundred people showed up. Jimmy Smits and his girlfriend Wanda de Jesus, Dennis Franz, Henry Simmons, Gordon Clapp, Jacqueline Obredors, and Kim Delaney – who couldn’t make it so she sent her parents. Everyone from crew and production staff to directors, producers, and stars enjoyed the sentimental get-together and Ray went home with a pocketful of money they collected for him.
Remember when this show first air’ed it was deem so controversial. Now days it seems it’s so tame compared to how the FCC standards have declined.
Jimmy smits and Dennis Franz have always been decent generous guys. Nice story
I worked on NYPD Blue for 7 years and Bill Clark, Mark Tinker and David Milch were kind, generous, and caring producers. This party was just another example of “taking care of their own” even years after the show has finished. Your report is both interesting and accurate. Collier
I was a part of the NYPD Blue gang for 11 years, and it was so wonderful to see everyone and to honor Ray. The party was perfect.
Oh, geez what was the name of that police show that air’ed back in the early 1980’s ?
Ah!
Remember – Hill Street Blue’s
This CSI crap they got on now days is just too over the top.
Ray is awesome and deserved the party. Ray said it best…what a blessing to have us all together again.
Thanks for the story Janet.
My best always to my buddy Uncle Ray
this is why i loved this show and always will. dennis franz is possibly the greatest man ever, and jimmy smits is a close second. i follow every step of all of their careers. thank you, janet, for posting this