One of the joys of revisiting Hill Street Blues today is discovering just how many future stars appeared in the series before becoming famous.
Across its groundbreaking seven-year run, the show featured an extraordinary range of guest actors — many of whom would later go on to major television and film careers.
Some appeared only briefly, while others returned multiple times in completely different roles. Looking back now, the guest list reads like a who's who of American television and cinema from the 1980s and beyond.
The following archive highlights just some of the many memorable guest appearances throughout the series.
Jack is one of many people in this list who keep cropping up during the program's six year run. Before he got his role as Sal the Plumber, he had appearances as John Amico.
This followed appearances in Police Story, Hart to Hart, Trapper John M.D. and Alice.
In later years he continued with roles in Booker and Melrose Place, but after appearing in Goode Behaviour he became disillusioned with the industry and retired in 2001.
Luis Avalos became one of those instantly recognisable character actors whose face appeared across countless American television series during the 1970s and 1980s.
Before appearing in Hill Street Blues, he had already established himself through roles in productions such as The Electric Company, Sanford and Son, and numerous stage performances.
His warm screen presence and distinctive voice made him a memorable guest performer throughout his long television career.
Like many actors who appeared briefly in Hill Street Blues, Avalos helped give the series its remarkable sense of realism and depth.
He starting with a small uncredited part in The Blues Brothers and a couple of other bit parts before guesting on HSB. He would go on getting bigger and better parts and reached full recognition as Philip Banks (Uncle Phil) in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
There followed a number of sitcom roles as well as being the voice for several animated television series including Shredder in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. He sadly died in 2013.
Born Esteban Echevarriain in Cuba, he moved to Florida with his family in 1959. Concerned he was being type cast as a Latino he eventually changed his name to Steven Bauer.
It has been said that he was going to be a regular in HSB, but was offered a major big-screen role as Manny in the Film Scarface. Since Scarface Steven has appeared in a huge number of films and TV series and has even been Annie Lennox's motorcycling boyfriend, in a music video.
Michael brilliantly played the part of a repugnant rookie cop called Buttman, who gets suspected of murdering a prostitute, after he embarrasses a fellow rookie (played by Tim Robbins) with her.
In a later career he would become a freedom fighter, who fathered John Connor (with Linda Hamilton also in HSB see below) and sent 'Arnie back'!
Even later he would take Yul Brynner's part in the TV Magnificent Seven, star in Aliens and be nominated for best supporting actor for his role in the movie Abyss.
Don's carrier started with an appearance in NYPD in 1969 this was followed by a few more small parts and the film Vigilante until, he got the role as Grant Piper in Beacon Hill.
In HSB he first had a small part as a Croupier taking money from Bobby Hill, then as Mr. Rutledge.
In later years he would appear in productions including Pulp Fiction, Prime Suspect and Harlem Nights.
Sadly he passed away in January 2004.
It sadness many Hill Street fans that the relationship between Belker, his sister and his mum, were not more fully explored. There must have been so much potential for that famous Hill Street sense of humour.
She was later nominated for an Emmy, for her performance in Seventh Avenue and appeared in some 50 films and TV shows.
A close friend of Bette Davis, she sadly died aged just 53 in 2000.
One of those faces you know, but do not always remember the name. He was a top character actor, always on call when a 'hard man' was needed and had appeared in numerous films.
Many were classics like The Getaway, Looking for Mr. Goodbar, Marathon Man and all three Godfather films.
He was tragically run over by a New York bus in 2006, aged 68.
Another excellent actor who died young. He went on to appear in various productions but he will now always be remembered in his role, as Dr. David Marcus the son of Capt. James T Kirk.
In all he appeared in 3 Trek movies - The Wrath of Khan (1982), The Search for Spock (1984) and Star Trek: The Next Generation (1987).
He tragically died in 1989 aged just 29.
Julius Carry is perhaps best known for his strong role as the bounty hunter, Lord Bowler, in the television series "The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr."
His small part in the 1982 Episode A Hair of the Dog was just his third TV appearance.
He went on to have parts in JAG, Columbo, Cosby and Doctor, Doctor. He often was credited as Julius J. Carry III in his early years.
He sadly died in August 2008 aged just 56.
Don was a comparative unknown when he appeared as Darius in the HSB episode 'Days of Swine and Roses'. In his later acting life he was even considered for the role of Huggy Bear in the Starsky & Hutch film.
He appeared on TV as Sammy Davis Jr in The Rat Pack and was in the films Ocean's 11, 12, and 13, Devil in a Blue Dress, Traitor and Hotel Rwanda, to name just a few.
A talented musician who plays saxophone, writes music and sings, he is also an accomplished stage actor and director and was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2004.
Pat Corley had portrayed around a hundred different roles, by the time he died in 2006. However, his favourite was as Coroner Wally Nydorf (a role he played with a slight smile).
He enjoyed smoking over the corpse and could sometimes be seen performing an autopsy, while happily tucking into a huge snack.
It is said that Laurence Olivier phoned him about his portrayal of Wally Nydorf and told him, "that's the finest television acting I have ever witnessed".
James appears as the official Police handler for a Bear called Officer McBear, which is used to teach school children that the police are 'cool'.
He has appeared in many films and television programs, as well as theatre.
Playing everyone from Prince Philip, to the President of the USA. Trekkies however, know him as Dr. Zefram Cochrane, inventor of the Warp Drive and the first Human to make contact with the Vulcans.
Born in 1948 Lindsay played Kate McBride an Officer with lesbian tendencies (in what is believed to be the first lesbian recurring character on a major network), partnered with Lucy Bates after Joe's death (still a relatively daring idea in 1986).
She has several strong scenes including remorse after killing a 'perp' and being accused of sexual harassment by a prostitute.
Later appeared in Bochco's L A Law and NYPD Blue as well as in Buffy, Law & Order and she played Capt. Ruth Hagermann in Dragnet.
Lindsay at that time was married to the screen writer David Mamet who would later pen the episode Wasted Weekend, which many consider the most controversial and certainly the most discussed HSB episode.
Gregory Cruz the popular Native American actor has a small part in two episodes from the first series.
Since HSB he has appeared in many TV series including X Files, Jag, NYPD and Saving Grace. He has also appeared in numerous films.
Timothy who for many years was TV's Superman, as well as being the Fugitive, popped up in the first series of HSB in the episode called 'Gatorbait' as Dann.
Of course after HSB he has appeared in countless movies and TV productions even turning his hand to production.
He is perhaps best-known for his role of "Joe Hackett" on the TV series, Wings (1990).
From Colombian drug lord brave enough to take on 007, to helping Bruce Willis in Die Hard.. Robert has appeared many times on TV and Film as the tough guy, with a mean streak.
In episode Stan the Man, he plays special narcotics undercover cop Stan Mizell and succeeds in winding up LaRue and Washington, with his reckless methods.
George portrayed Dave Swanson as Frank Furillo's friend as well as boss. His acting suggested it was his profession, however he was in fact a poet, editor and playwright, who wandered into acting.
After HSB he had many minor parts in TV series like The Incredible Hulk, Little House on the Prairie, Miami Vice and LA Law.
He will perhaps be remembered best for his role as detective John Williams in David Lynch’s crime drama Blue Velvet.
He died in January 2015.
The character of Captain Freedom in his improvised 'super hero' costume, was invented just to drive Belker insane, and the inevitable conclusion of this relationship made for excellent television.
Dennis had been on television since the early seventies and went on to guest on Mash, LA Law and Moonlighting.
Today he is a successful Producer with numerous productions to his credit, including NYPD Blue.
She came to the Hill having appeared in CHIPS, Hart to Hart, Fame, Lou Grant and the film Poltergeist.
Although she only had a small part as an abused young mother, this promising young actress will always be remembered because she was tragically murdered just after filming the scene.
It was noted during filming that she needed little make up for the role, having already been beaten by her boyfriend the day before. A few days later he strangled her and after being in a coma for a few days, sadly she died.
Her father was the noted Author, Filmmaker and Vanity Fair Columnist, Dominick Dunne.
The still incredibly lovely Jill featured in 2 episodes playing one half of a hapless couple, who gets robbed while visiting the big city.
Her husband was played by real life husband Michael Tucker (please see his entry below).
Michael played the drunken and obnoxious Councilman Arnold Detweiler. Often protected by his political friends.
He is very much a Veteran Actor having been performing for over forty years on Stage, TV and in Films.
Other guest appearances on TV included JAG, Mulholland Drive, LA Law, The X Files and Cagney and Lacey.
Martin played three different HSB characters, over the years, including a robber and a mental patient.
However, he is best remembered for his portrayal of a man who thinks he is Duncan Renaldo (the actor who played Cisco Kid). He even mistakes Ray Calletano for the actor Leo Carrillo who played Pancho.
In later life he had a recurring role of Izzy Moreno, the informant on Miami Vice.
He also brilliantly played Donald Gennaro, the cowardly lawyer in the movie Jurassic Park.
Not unsurprisingly, Larry plays the part of a tough pimp for his one and only appearance on the street back in 1986.
Since then this most talented and versatile performers has appeared in countless movies and TV shows, usually playing a tough but calm, militant but sensitive strong guy, often mentoring a protagonist.
No matter what roles he takes, he will however always be remembered as Morpheus from the film The Matrix and its sequels.
Today he is probably best known for his work in Cartoons, most noticeably as the voice of Roger the Rabbit and Benny the Cab.
He also still appears 'on screen' in films as diverse as Carry on Columbus, Nightmare on Elm Street and Back to the Future.
Charles brilliant HSB appearance however is one that is remembered by many fans and regulars.
He played a young car thief who can repair just about anything and after being arrested, proceeds to fix all the faulty items in the precinct house.
William played a killer in two Episodes during 1983, at which time he was still unknown.
After HSB being a big and imposing actor (with piercing eyes) he carried on with the tough guy image and is of course still doing it today.
He played Al Capone in The Untouchables as well as Salvatore "Sammy the Bull" Gravano in Gotti.
The famous Number One of the Starship Enterprise only appeared as a drug dealer in an episode of HSB back in 1982.
He was still a virtual unknown having had bit parts in Charlie's Angels, Dukes of Hazzard etc.
Soon after his HSB role he landed more regular roles in Bare Essence, Paper Dolls and Falcon Crest.
It would be another four years before he would board the Enterprise.
Andy had two independent roles, 3 years apart. In the first episode 'Hill Street Station' as street kid Andy and again in 'Hair Apparent' as Ernesto a Diablo who is killed by a Blood and triggers a gang war.
Born in Cuba in the mid fifties his family moved to Miami a few years later. Here his parents started, and then built up a successful perfume company.
He has of course had many major roles since his humble beginnings as an unknown in the first ever HSB episode.
Cuba appeared twice in HSB once as an uncredited 'Gang Member' and once as Ethan Dillon.
An accomplished break dancer he famously danced in the 1984 closing ceremonies of the Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
Now recognised as a talented actor he has appeared in Gladiator, What Dreams May Come, Instinct and Men of Honour.
He received the Academy Award for his best supporting role in Jerry Maguire.
The much loved Danny played the character Jesse John Hudson who is released from prison and attempts to establish himself on the Hill during four episodes of the first series.
The first film for this accomplished actor was Escape from Alcatraz in 1979 after which he appeared in several films and TV series.
The big break came when he played Roger Murtaugh in Lethal Weapon and the three more LW films that followed.
He now produces as well as acts and is active in many humanitarian areas.
Martha's first real break was when she landed the part of Carole Green for two episodes of HSB in 1986.
After this she went on to play a Tarellian in Star Trek: The Next Generation. This was followed by Sub commander T’Rul in Deep Space Nine and in 1996 she became Seska in Star Trek: Voyager.
When she is not in space, she has also had several other down to earth roles, including the films Kiss Kiss Bang Bang in 2005 and Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day in 2014.
Already a successful small time actress when she arrived on the HSB set she had regular roles in King's Crossing and Secrets of Midland Heights, before becoming Sarah Connor in the Terminator film series.
She also still worked in TV taking the role of Asst. DA Catherine Chandler in Beauty and the Beast.
Interesting note: Linda and Michael Biehn (above) played the parents of John Connor who would save the world in Terminator.
Belker meets Terminator — now there's a thought for a great movie.
Unlike so many guests that started their careers at Hill Street, Hilly ended his there after 15 years of acting.
He had many small parts in shows like Cosby, Mash and Cannon, but he is probably best remembered for his role as Lewis Moore (the younger son of Chicken George) in the TV series Roots.
Hilly Hicks is today the senior pastor at Crenshaw United Methodist Church in Los Angeles, California.
Like many other guests Kene appeared as different people during the series. In three 1982 episodes, he played Vernon Lee a candidate for the Black Officers' Coalition.
Later he became famous for his role as Tyler Hudson in the series Matlock, he has also appeared in numerous TV programs and films.
Lauren's first role was playing a very young hooker, in two episodes of HSB. She is first helped by Davenport and then Garibaldi.
For the next ten years she would have various roles mostly on TV, until her big break came - starring in Dumb & Dumber opposite Jim Carrey (who she would later marry).
Back on TV she had a long run as Deputy Sheriff Maxine Stewart in Picket Fences followed by a number of other good parts.
She is probably most recently remembered as Jenny Shepherd from NCIS.
One of the few English actors to get a part in HSB, George was flipping across the Atlantic appearing on American and British TV throughout the eighties.
In 1983/4 he appeared in M*A*S*H, and HSB flying back to England to be in Minder.
To English fans he is largely remembered for his role as Alfred in Upstairs Downstairs and he has been twice nominated for an Emmy Award.
His films include Billy Liar, The Italian Job, A Bridge Too Far and Quadrophenia.
He tries to entice Bates and Coffey into a 'threesome' date. Sadly the character he plays is representative of what American TV productions thought a typical Englishman was like at that time.
Actor, Writer and Producer Michael Ironside appeared in 1983 in just the one episode playing the character Schrader. One assumes this was between roles because even by then he was becoming a success in other productions with his trademark tough action guy.
For this webmaster his later performance in V, was the highlight of that series.
However, he has turned in some other excellent performances including those in Extreme Prejudice, Starship Troopers, Nowhere to Hide, Highlander II: The Quickening and of course Total Recall.
Jane got her first break by being cast as Officer Clara Pilsky and appeared in six episodes during 1984.
She went on to have a steady career appearing in numerous TV series and films including being Captain Jane Lindel in the film CHIPS and David's Mom in Pleasantville.
She received some seven consecutive Emmy nominations for Best Actress in a Comedy Series for her role in Malcolm in the Middle.
She has also been the voice of Judge Constance Harm in The Simpsons and Red Jessica in Jake and the Never Land Pirates.
Stanley Kamel acted for over three decades, before suffering a fatal heart attack in 2008.
He was a prolific player of character parts and they were not all 'good guys' (remember the repulsive Dr Graham Lester in Murder One).
Some of the many series he appeared in were Monk, Melrose Place, Cagney and Lacey, Star Trek, Quincy, Kojak, as well as Bochco's aforementioned Murder One and L A Law.
He also had recurring roles on the TV shows Melrose Place and Beverly Hills, 90210 as well as playing Dr. Charles Kroger in Monk.
A black man with a classic thoughtful face and incredibly expressive eyes, his trade mark role is as a police detective or military officer.
Yaphet has appeared in a huge amount of films ranging from being a Bond Villain to playing Othello.
Going into space along the way as part of the doomed crew in Alien.
In recent years he has turned his hand to writing and directing.
Charles' movies included A Civil Action, Immediate Family, The Couch Trip, and The Man With One Red Shoe.
His more important TV roles were on shows such as Law and Order, The Crew, Murphy Brown, Seinfeld, Designing Women, The Golden Girls and Night Court.
A number of years later he returns to the series for just one episode and Belker finds out he (Eddie) is dying with AIDS.
In 2019 he was reported missing by his son after he called a friend to say he was lost somewhere near Cave Junction, Oregon. His body was found some days later at the bottom of a ravine. It is assumed he got lost taking a little used back route to his home.
On Phil Esterhaus' wedding day, he faints at the altar torn between his love for the beautiful and young Cindy played by Lisa and the older erotic Grace! (what a choice!)
Lisa did get married for real in 1982 to Jono Farrer.
She also supplied the voice of Tess in the cult cartoon series Pole Position and had other small roles.
In the mid eighties she retired to raise a family, but sadly died on July 15, 2005 aged just 45.
Sometimes also credited as Kathy Lloyd she started acting in the early seventies.
Her role in Hill Street caused some memorable scenes and a great partnership with Howard Hunter when she nurses him and he falls in love with her.
She has appeared in many other shows including LA Law, but is possibly remembered best for her TV role of District Attorney Carol Baldwin in Magnum.
Actor, Writer and Producer James McEachin started his acting career back in 1966 having already served in Korea earning both a Purple Heart and Silver Star.
After he was demobbed he tried being a Policeman, a Fireman and even a record producer, before starting his long dedication to the art of acting.
He was detective Tenafly in Tenafly, Lt. Brock in Perry Mason and Lt. Daniels in Matlock among many other roles until giving up acting in 2007.
A remarkable man, if you only ever look up one HSB guest on IMDb, make it this one.
Brian first acted in The Flamingo Kid and in the same year appeared in St. Elsewhere. It was then on to HSB and like so many others this was followed by a spot on LA Law.
He has appeared in many other productions including Arachnophobia, Caddyshack II and Billionaire Boys Club.
TV series work included Mercy Point, Pig Sty, Homefront and The Nutt House.
As well as being a gifted and busy actor, he has also directed and produced.
Andrea is today referred to as the Queen of Cabaret, having built a huge following, with Life Magazine calling her the most Sinatra-like cabaret performer.
As well as appearing on stage, Andrea has appeared in many film and TV productions since she started in the late sixties.
In HSB she played an attractive TV reporter who manipulates events to make for 'Good TV'.
LaRue takes her on a 'Stakeout' to try and impress her, with unexpected results!
Paul grew up in Pennsylvania and started to appear in Broadway shows around 1978.
However he became a familiar face on our cinema screens, as the fresh faced Montgomery (with a mop of ginger hair) in the eighties hit film Fame.
In 1986 he appeared on HSB as a suspected mass murderer called The Creeper.
His next big break was a part in RoboCop, followed by a string of films like The Shawshank Redemption.
He also found himself in regular TV spots, as Graem Bauer in 24 and Dr. Robert Romano in ER.
Public Defender Connie Chapman exquisitely played by Oscar winner Frances McDormand, has several 'confrontations' with Joyce, before Joyce gets her fired for suspected drug abuse.
Since HSB she has had a successful career as an actress and has been nominated for several awards, taking an Oscar for best actress in 1996 for Fargo.
She has been married to one of the legendary Coen Brothers, since 1984.
The somewhat 'rotund' stature of George put him in great demand when a certain type of character was needed.
As well as being a good actor he was an extremely funny comedian and member of the "Ace Trucking Company" comedy troupe.
He was known for playing Earl in Hello Larry and appeared in Mean Streets, Phantom of the Paradise, and Rocky.
Sadly he died in May 1985 aged just 47 shortly after appearing in HSB.
Mark played brash, cocky Officer Harris, who was getting his partner Officer Fuentes into scrapes.
The role was cut short however, when his character was murdered by a 'hooker' in the episode 'Up in Arms'.
After HSB Mark appeared in many other productions including the film Animal House as well as LA Law, Star Trek and Teen Angel.
He is however probably most famous for his long running role as The Master in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
Beverly, her husband Ray and Ilona Wilson formed the main core of actors used in background shots around the station but like many others were never credited.
She is married to fellow actor Ray Nadeau (see below) and much of the limited information we have comes from Michael Warren.
There is currently no known IMDb entry for Beverly and very little surviving information about her acting career, which makes preserving her contribution to Hill Street Blues even more important.
Ray like Ilona Wilson and his wife Beverly worked in the background around the station and on at least one occasion out on patrol, but like her (and many others) was never credited.
There is a short entry for him in IMDb's database regarding his contribution to Hill Street Blues but Owain Mattocks (HSB Facebook and Ray’s friend) tells us he worked as Director, Editor, Producer, Cinematographer and actor and that he is now retired.
He is married to fellow actor Beverly Nadeau and father of Mark Nadeau both of whom at some point also appeared on the show with background roles.
Note: Owain has done much research into these background performers and has an album of these actors on the HSB Facebook Group.
Born in California in 1957 his first real part in what was to become a successful TV and Movie career, was in the 1982 Young Doctors in Love.
Although he will of course be remembered for playing Mr. Pizza Guy in Fast Times at Ridgemont High, his most acclaimed role must be as villain Milo in the film The Last Boy Scout.
He also had success with the Comedy Store Players, before his untimely death in 2015 aged just 57.
Chris Noth is best known for being Detective Mike Logan in Law & Order, and as Mr. Big on Sex and the City.
He has also appeared in films and directed two TV movies.
Other television credits include the TNT original film Bad Apple which he starred in and executive produced, TNT's mini series Caesar, TNT's telefilm Exiled and the BBC series Titanic: Blood and Steel in 2012.
He is also a co-owner of The Cutting Room music venue in New York City.
Born in Los Angeles EJO grew up with a love of both baseball and music that took him into several bands playing in venues along Sunset Strip.
He drifted into acting with bit parts in Cannon, Kojak, Starsky and Hutch and Police Woman, and by 1984 was Lt. Martin Castillo in Miami Vice.
Another big TV role was Commander then Admiral William Adama in Battlestar Galactica.
He was offered a regular role on HSB but declined due to other commitments.
He also devotes much of his time to causes, particularly those focusing on the needs of underprivileged children.
It has been said that if an Italian gangster is needed and Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci are not available, Chazz gets the gig!
The star of Yonkers Joe, The Usual Suspects and A Bronx Tale (he was Bronx born), did not even make the credits in his second and short TV appearance up on the Hill.
It did not harm him though, because he went on to play countless other roles, became a writer, then a director and today also produces.
When Carol (CCH stands for Carol Christine Hilaria) first appeared in HSB she was at the start of her extensive career.
She appeared in three episodes each time as a different person.
She then went on to work with Bochco both in LA Law (as Judge Roseann Robin) and the ill-fated Cop Rock.
She also had parts in The X Files, Cosby, Miami Vice and many others.
She is today most recognisable for the roles of Detective Claudette Wyms in The Shield and of course Dr. Angela Hicks in ER.
When Donnelly first guested on HSB he was already a familiar face having appeared in some 40 episodes of Soap (as Dutch) and in several good westerns, including the gunfighter Macon, in the film Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
He is best remembered in HSB for successfully dealing with Fay by laughing at her outburst in court over a traffic violation.
He was still acting into his late seventies, passing away in 2018.
Michael was inspired by the physical comedy legends Charles Chaplin and Jacques Tati.
He worked hard on the comedy circuit until comedian Billy Crystal noticed him and gave him a spot on his comedy specials.
He was still trying to make the move from stand-up comedian to famous actor when he secured a small part in HSB.
It would be another four years until he found himself in the role of Jerry Seinfeld's neighbour Cosmo Kramer in Seinfeld.
This inspired piece of casting of course earned him three Emmy awards and made him a cult hero.
She had many small parts before she joined the Hill as a 'lady of the night' and then secured the parts as Renko's girlfriend and later wife.
In 1985 she married Charles Haid who played Renko in real life, but although the marriage produced two children it ended in 1988.
She carried on acting and also wrote and produced both films and television productions, including work connected with Cyborg and Midnight Madness.
Popular Dutch indie band Daryll-Ann were named after her character.
Actor and Director Ron Rifkin was born in 1939 in New York and has had a long and distinguished career in film, on the stage and of course many television programs.
He's perhaps best known for his long role as Arvin Sloane in the television series Alias, as Saul Holden in Brothers & Sisters and more recently Dr. Dean Fulton in New Amsterdam.
He also appeared in films like L.A. Confidential and Dragonfly.
Tim only appeared in one episode as rookie cop Lawrence Swan who joins the same day as Randall Buttman (played by Michael Biehn).
Swan kills himself after an 'initiation' party with a 'hooker' at the Kubiak Lodge.
After HSB he appeared as "Nuke" Laloosh in Bull Durham, War of the Worlds, Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me and The Shawshank Redemption.
As co-presenters of the Academy Awards in 1993, he and partner Susan Sarandon seized a chance to talk about the plight of Haitians with AIDS who had been interned in Guantánamo Bay.
Before Mimi got Lost In Space, or became Mrs Tom Cruise, she made two appearances on the Hill as Sandra Pauley in the episodes Jungle Madness and Rites of Spring, which were both broadcast as two-part stories.
Of course the one time Mrs Tom Cruise has appeared in at least fifty other big and small screen roles including Lost In Space, Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery, Full Body Massage and The Rapture.
She plays Andy Renko's stunning looking evening class teacher, who he not surprisingly develops a crush on.
Joanelle was the first American Indian woman to carry a lead role in A Girl Called Hatter Fox (1977) and has appeared in many productions.
She has also directed and produced programs and in 2006 became CEO and the driving force behind the Red Nation Television Channel, the first American Indian TV channel.
She was invited to Washington D.C. by President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Vice President Joe Biden and Oprah Winfrey to share her vision and initiatives for Native Women in Film and to help bring national attention to multicultural diversity issues.
Actor, Producer and Writer Leo Rossi has been acting since 1975 and joined the crew of Hill Street Blues in 1982 as actor John Gennaro who is killed on a stake out.
This was followed by Partners in Crime where he had a regular role as Lt. Ed Vronsky.
As well as the many TV productions he has appeared in, he also featured in films like The Accused, Hit List, Maniac Cop 2 and Relentless as Detective Sam Dietz, a role he would play three more times in sequels.
Known for his appearances in most of the different Star Trek series and their spin-offs, this in fact has only been part of his nearly sixty year career as an actor.
He also appeared in Starsky and Hutch, Quincy, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea, Police Woman, Charlie's Angels, Mission Impossible, The High Chaparral, Hogan's Heroes and The Six Million Dollar Man to name just a few.
Joseph Ruskin died December 28, 2013 aged 89.
Tim had only just started acting when he secured a small role in HSB.
He then tried for the part of Geordi LaForge in Star Trek, but lost out to Roots star LeVar Burton.
He did however later get the part of Tuvok, as well as appearing in two other Star Trek series (one of only three actors to achieve this).
He is an actor with an extremely comprehensive list of achievements. As well as acting on stage, big and small screen for over 25 years he is also an accomplished producer, director and writer.
Helen plays an attractive socialite who is attacked, but then rescued by Renko, who starts dating her.
After several arguments it becomes clear it is not going to work and eventually she goes off with Coffey.
Born in Canada she already had much experience acting by the time she appeared in HSB and continued to have many other roles both in film and television.
Then one day Martin Scorsese suggested she try directing, where she has found much success, directing over forty titles.
Her production company is MAWD (Mother Actress Wife Director).
Born in Moscow in the fifties Natasha only appeared in one episode (The Russians are Coming) in 1984.
She had a few more acting roles (including Miami Vice), before starting a successful career as a singer songwriter performing with the rock band Eleven and later Queens Of The Stone Age.
She wrote and performed "Who's In Control" for the 2004 film Catwoman.
Sadly Natasha died of cancer in 2008, aged just 52.
Yet another Star Trek member — although perhaps Reginald (Reg) Barclay was not your normal Trek officer.
He was also Mung Daal in the children's cartoon Chowder, and perhaps most famously "Howling Mad" Murdock in The A-Team.
His appearance on the Hill was only his second role in a long career that has seen him pop up in many other films and television programs, always giving value-for-money performances.
Franklyn showed great potential throughout his short life. A gifted painter from the age of six, he was awarded a full Juilliard scholarship leading to the role of Henry Flipper, the first black graduate of West Point, in The Trial of the Moke.
Shortly after that he was the cop killer in Joseph Wambaugh's film The Onion Field and a crew member in Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
Following HSB he played Dexter in 89 episodes of Silver Spoons.
He sadly died aged just 38 in 1990.
Milton has one of those faces that you know, but cannot quite put a name to, largely because although he never became a major star he appeared in many, many productions over his five decade career.
He appeared in productions like the 1959 Untouchables, The Fugitive, and regularly guested on programs like Mission Impossible, Police Story and Hawaii Five-O.
Jeff played an officer whose partner (Harris) is murdered. He appeared in three episodes in total.
Jeff has been a Director, Producer and Writer as well as acting in both films and television (he did all four in his film Rave Review (1994)).
He is known for his roles in Canadian television series Jeff Ltd., Bury The Lead / The Eleventh Hour, Show Me Yours and Being Erica.
In Europe and Canada he is perhaps best known for his role as Omar in The Grid and as Azizi in The Eleventh Hour.
He has also appeared in Stargate and Smallville.
The star of WarGames joined the cast of Hill Street Blues for several episodes in 1983.
She once said in an interview: "I loved Hill Street Blues. It was my first part on a TV series. I didn't know what the hell was going on, but that part was a lot of fun to play."
One of the so-called 'Brat Pack' in the eighties, she had already been appearing on television since she was 13, when she wrote the best-selling story She Was Nice to Mice while still at school.
She also appeared in several films including playing Sean Penn's girlfriend in Bad Boys and Gene Hackman's daughter in Twice in a Lifetime.
Like so many other Star Trek stars, Armin's appearance on HSB was very early on in his acting career.
His appearance in 1982 preceded many other roles including a Ferengi called "Letek" on Star Trek: The Next Generation and of course Quark in Deep Space Nine.
Today he has also turned his hand to screen writing, but has continued acting in productions including The Hitcher, Ratchet & Clank: A Crack in Time, Judging Amy and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
The actor who stole so many scenes in Star Trek, made just one appearance in HSB as a somewhat immoral movie director.
He had by then been acting for around 15 years, but it would be another two before he would become the most famous android of all time — Data.
He has also appeared in films, memorably portraying Dr. Brakish Okun in Independence Day and the sequel Independence Day: Resurgence, a role that clearly played to his special brand of humour.
More recently he played Sidney in the TV series Outcast and an evil architect in The Blacklist.
A larger than life New York born actor who started making films in 1943, Lawrence Tierney's big break came when he played Dillinger in the film of the same name.
Many other hard man roles followed, as well as supporting roles on television.
He made several appearances on Hill Street and holds the distinction of being the last person to speak a line when the series ended.
He is seen answering the phone and saying simply: "Hill Street."
Tierney also played Joe Cabot in Reservoir Dogs and one of his last roles was as Bruce Willis's father in Armageddon.
He died in 2002.
'The very sexy' Jennifer is of Chinese-American extraction and is the sister of actress Meg Tilly.
She subsequently appeared in many television shows and movies, including The Fabulous Baker Boys, Liar Liar and Bound.
She was also the voice of killer doll Tiffany for the Child's Play movies, along with the voice of the nearly always pregnant Bonnie Swanson in Family Guy.
She is also an avid poker player, winning the 3rd World Poker Tour Ladies Invitational Tournament and becoming a familiar face on many televised poker shows.
Tragically Gina is shot by an assassin for acting as a police informant and dies in Lieutenant Goldblume's arms, leaving him more than a million dollars.
One of the rare occurrences of the same family appearing in a television series happened in HSB when Jennifer Tilly's sister appeared in one episode.
It was only a small part and the character did not even have a name.
Previously her screen debut had been as one of the dancers in Fame.
Meg never quite had (or wanted) the level of fame her sister achieved, but she still appeared in several productions including Psycho II, Winnetka Road, Bomb Girls and War Machine.
She has now also found a new career as a successful novelist.
Michael, a long time friend of Steven Bochco, first appeared in one episode in 1981 before returning three years later with his wife Jill Eikenberry.
Michael later said:
"I have to credit Steven Bochco for us working together. He offered us a guest shot on 'Hill Street Blues' where we played a small-town couple in the big city."
"What we didn't realize was that Steven wanted to see if our off-screen chemistry clicked on-screen too."
This was because Bochco was already planning to use them together in the legendary series L.A. Law.
Nicknamed "The Viking" because of his Norwegian name and birth, John started acting in 1975.
He had just the one appearance on the Hill, when he was pushed through a window by Fay.
Around this time he was already playing the second Darryl in Newhart. Although originally just a guest spot, the public took to "the two Darryls" and they became permanent cast members.
Although one of John's closest friends is Linda Hamilton, they missed each other on HSB with Linda's last appearance airing only a fortnight earlier.
Alberta joined the long list of HSB guest stars in 1984. This was followed by numerous television roles including a regular spot as Dr. Rebecca Meyer in Buck James.
She of course made the television big time with her role as Madeline in La Femme Nikita and later as Jack Bauer's boss Erin Driscoll, head of the counter-terrorist unit in 24.
Along the way she also managed many film roles and picked up numerous awards.
Sadly Alberta Watson died in 2015 aged just 60.
Lee is one of those actors who keeps popping up on the screen.
Born in 1930, his first break came when he secured several different roles in the television series Sheena Queen of the Jungle.
Appearances in The Blue Knight, Soap, Quincy, Kojak, Starsky and Hutch and many other films and television shows followed, all leading to his brilliant portrayal of the flasher Buck Naked in HSB.
His more recent appearances included The 40 Year-Old Virgin, Godzilla and O Brother, Where Art Thou?
Incredibly, he later repeated the exact same role of Buck Naked in Bochco’s NYPD Blue some ten years later — another example of Bochco's humour.
He was still working in 2018 aged 88.
Charles was already a well known actor when he first joined Hill Street Blues in 1981, having already appeared in Police Story, The Streets of San Francisco, Kojak and The Rockford Files.
He continued working right up until his death, serving as associate producer on and acting in Paris Blues in Harlem.
Like many performers on HSB he appeared more than once as different characters — something not uncommon on the series.
Charles Weldon sadly passed away in December 2018 aged 78.
Mykelti T. Williamson's first role was a small part in Starsky and Hutch in 1978, but it would be 1983 when he made his breakthrough with eight episodes in Bay City Blues.
After HSB he went on to star in films like Forrest Gump, Waiting to Exhale and Con Air.
His television roles included Chief Brigham Sinclair on CSI: NY and Brian Hastings, head of CTU in the eighth season of 24.
He is now part of the star cast of Law & Order: Organized Crime and has also turned his hand to writing and directing.
Until recently (2021) you could search hard for details on Ilona and find very little.
It had often been said she came from Hungary, but someone who knew her told us this was not true — she was actually born and raised in New Jersey.
Her IMDb entry originally made no mention of HSB, probably because she was never credited for her many appearances in the background during series one, though this has now finally been corrected.
Despite rarely speaking on screen, she became one of those familiar background faces that regular viewers instantly recognised around the station house.
She sadly passed away in September 2008 aged 75.
And no — she did not look quite this glamorous in her police uniform!
Forest is an extremely talented and charismatic actor, producer and director who had only just started his career when he played the dangerous teenage killer Floyd Green in the 1984 episode Blues for Mr. Green.
Although now world famous for his Oscar-winning role as Idi Amin in The Last King of Scotland, he has also appeared in films including The Color of Money, The Crying Game, Platoon and Good Morning, Vietnam.
Over the years Whitaker has become known not only for intense dramatic performances, but also for directing, producing and humanitarian work around the world.
John Witherspoon is one of those lucky performers who doesn't even need to say a word — simply standing there looking into camera is often enough to make people smile.
This Detroit-bred comic proved himself to be a Hollywood mainstay and continued landing memorable roles in some of America’s favourite television and movie productions including Friday, Next Friday, Little Man, Black Jesus and The First Family.
He was also the brother of William Weatherspoon, the renowned songwriter and producer for Motown Records.
Even in a tiny HSB role, his natural comic timing and screen presence were impossible to miss.
Alfre is one of those actresses who keeps turning up in major films and television productions, often stealing scenes even in supporting roles.
She has won many awards and been nominated for many more throughout an exceptional acting career.
She appeared in the pilot episode of L.A. Law, which earned her another Emmy award.
Like so many other HSB guests she later appeared in Star Trek: First Contact, along with numerous television series including Desperate Housewives, Memphis Beat and Luke Cage.
Del is a remarkable character actor of Mescalero Apache and Chicano heritage.
He originally trained as a computer technician — relatively unusual in the early eighties — but his love of acting eventually took him from small bit parts to a role in Repo Man.
This was followed by appearances in films like RoboCop and Born in East L.A.
His role in HSB sees him held hostage by a mental patient and, if that was not bad enough, he also has Lt. Buntz for company.
Many of the photographs featured on this page have been gathered over many years from public sources, promotional material and fan collections connected with Hill Street Blues.
If you believe that any image has been used in error or may infringe copyright, please contact the Webmaster and the item will be credited correctly or removed immediately.
Likewise, if you worked on the show, appeared in it, own a better quality photograph, or can add information or corrections to any of these entries, your contribution would be genuinely appreciated.
Thank you to everyone who has helped preserve the history and legacy of Hill Street Blues.