Hill Street Blues featured some of the strongest and most memorable female characters ever seen in television drama.
From police officers and public defenders to reporters, wives, judges and unforgettable guest characters, the women of Hill Street Blues brought warmth, humour, intelligence and humanity to the series.
Some became major stars, while others quietly helped create the realism and emotional depth that made the show so special.
This page celebrates the actresses who helped make Hill Street Blues one of television’s greatest ensemble dramas.
Barbara is most men's fantasy of a mature mistress. She was already in her mid-forties when she graced the Hill with her sensual presence.
She could still be found on People magazine's “50 Most Beautiful People in the World” list in 1994.
She now lives near Cork in Ireland.
Wife of Chief of Detectives Sam Gardner (deceased), Grace came to the Hill as the official police decorator.
Her legendary sex sessions with Sgt. Esterhaus were treats for the imagination, but ultimately caused his demise.
Married to Steven Bochco from 1969 to 1997, Barbara's first film was Bullitt (1968).
She was later nominated for an Emmy for her role as prosecutor Miriam Grasso in Steven's Murder One.
Frank's wife and mother to his son Frank Jr., Fay is convinced that one day she and Frank will get back together.
When he remarries however, she accepts the inevitable and becomes stronger and more independent, opening many conversations with “Hey Buster!”.
Ellen Blake was born in Glasgow, Scotland in 1943. She is an actress and casting director.
She went on to co-star in series like Cyphers and L.A. Law, along with numerous theatre and film appearances including The Last Starfighter and Wyatt Earp.
She also found time to help others, working as a volunteer Family Skills Counsellor with Community Health Action of Staten Island.
As Desk Officer Natalie Deroy, Ellen brought a sparkle into the life of Leo Schnitz, the mail station's desk officer.
It also brought a sparkle to the series, with viewers wondering if the bashful pair would ever get together.
Before becoming a regular, Ellen also made a guest appearance in the 1983 episode Gung Ho, where she played an Arcade Manager.
It is hard to find out a lot about Cassandra, with just a few brief entries to be found on the internet.
We have been told she appeared in adverts for American Airlines and Hilton Hotels. She has also been seen in an episode of Lou Grant and played a crew member in Star Trek: The Motion Picture.
The attractive blonde Officer Mary Morgan appears from time to time in episodes of the series, but only speaks occasionally.
She is sometimes in uniform, but usually in plain clothes.
Megan was keen to become an actor when she was a child and worked hard at it until getting the break of a guest spot on HSB during the seventh season.
This turned into a permanent part and made her name. In the years that followed she has had a successful career both in the movies and on television.
Russo works undercover from time to time, which is how she first comes into contact with J.D., who is unaware that she is also a police officer.
She gets into some trouble for sleeping with a criminal whom she is investigating, rather than merely “seducing” him at length.
Later she is mentored by Belker and linked romantically with Flaherty.
Not surprisingly Veronica's public career started as a fashion model. Interestingly, her first film role, in Klute, was also playing a model.
In the seventies she turned down a starring role in Charlie's Angels, the part later being taken by Jaclyn Smith.
“Good enough to eat” Public Defender Joyce was also Furillo's girlfriend, later wife and often adversary.
She later became a prosecutor as well.
It is Joyce who smartens up her Police Captain and who is responsible for his trademark waistcoats, or vests.
Judith is the eldest daughter of basketball coach the late Paul Hansen.
She secured parts in St. Elsewhere and then Moonlighting, plus two films, Creator and Vision Quest.
In 1986 she returned to the stage and received critical acclaim for her performance as a schizophrenic mother who murders her child in the play Infanticide.
Judith Hansen played khaki officer Celeste Patterson in nine episodes.
She told News OK that:
Marilyn Iris Kuzyk was born in Winnipeg. Deciding from an early age that she wanted to be a dancer, she joined the Rusalka Folk Ensemble at the age of 15.
In the eighties she moved to Los Angeles and, after a few “bit parts”, landed the role in HSB.
She has appeared in Murder, She Wrote, Quantum Leap, Blue Murder, NCIS, L.A. Law and many others.
Mayo was the partner of Harry Garibaldi and became the object of Chief Daniels' affections after he reviewed a videotape of her being undressed by a predatory dentist.
When Mayo rebuffed his advances, Daniels tried to have her kicked off the force until Furillo intervened.
In all, she appeared in some 25 episodes.
After the Hill she had small parts, including one episode of L.A. Law.
However, she is a qualified acupuncturist and can still be found behind the cameras helping to keep actors healthy.
Lisa played one of six new recruits joining the Hill during the third season — she is the only one who lasts.
Amazingly she becomes Mick Belker's girlfriend and accompanies him on visits to his incapacitated father.
Later she realises she is pregnant and, after an on/off relationship, marries him.
The tall (she says six foot one) comic actress finally found fame with a dramatic role in HSB, winning an Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actress in 1985.
Since leaving HSB she has become an accomplished director and producer, working on films like I Spy, Doctor Dolittle, The Brady Bunch Movie, the new Dallas, and in 2009 was involved with the new Chipmunk sequel.
A tough, streetwise girl cop, Bates also has a gentler sensitive side that sometimes slips out.
She tries to defuse any concerns about her gender by acting tough.
Later she becomes a Sergeant and adopts a boy called Fabian when his “junkie” mum can no longer look after him.
Usually paired, in all senses, with Officer Joseph “Joe” Coffey, with whom she has a love/hate relationship.
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.