Why David Caruso Left NYPD Blue

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The hit TV series “NYPD Blue” by ABC, known for revolutionizing cop shows, faced a temporary setback when its main actor, David Caruso, who portrayed Detective John Kelly, unexpectedly left after just four episodes into Season 2. He was subsequently replaced by Jimmy Smits as Detective Bobby Simone. Speculation about Caruso’s sudden departure swirled for years until the truth was finally revealed. In his memoir “Truth is a Total Defense,” published in 2016 (as reported by The Hollywood Reporter), co-creator of “NYPD Blue,” Steven Bochco, described Caruso’s behavior on set as toxic. He also penned that Caruso was emotionally distant to everyone and had a volatile, moody or sullen demeanor, depending on the day. Bochco suggested that Caruso believed he was too good for television, leading him to attempt to alienate writers, producers, and his fellow cast members in an effort to be fired from the show.

It’s said that during a tense meeting, Caruso’s lawyer requested a significant increase in Caruso’s salary from $40,000 to $100,000 per episode, and then presented a series of additional requests:

1. Days off every Friday.
2. A 38-foot trailer for transportation.
3. An office suite on the studio lot, complete with a personal development executive and associated weekly expenses of $1,000.
4. Two luxury hotel suites in New York when the production team went there to film, along with a dozen first-class airline tickets.
5. Additional security to protect Caruso from his enthusiastic fans.

Unfortunately for Caruso, these requests were not granted.

David Caruso’s movie career failed to launch

Prior to joining “NYPD Blue,” David Caruso had a modest film career, appearing in minor roles in films like “An Officer and a Gentleman,” “First Blood,” “Twins,” “King of New York,” and “Hudson Hawk.” Given his success as a leading man on television, it’s no surprise he longed to return to the silver screen. After all, the financial incentive was undoubtedly attractive: He allegedly earned $1 million for his starring role in Barbet Schroeder’s film “Kiss of Death,” alongside Nicolas Cage. Post-“NYPD Blue,” Caruso headlined two more films – the erotic thriller “Jade,” directed by Oscar-winning director William Friedkin (“The French Connection”) and written by renowned screenwriter Joe Eszterhas (“Basic Instinct”).

In simpler terms, “Jade” was an unmitigated catastrophe, despite the talent involved. It contained explicit violence and sex scenes, with Caruso playing a New York Assistant District Attorney investigating a murder possibly linked to his former lover (Linda Fiorentino). This film flopped at the box office, was heavily criticized by critics, and even received two Razzie nominations, one of which was for worst new star for Caruso (shared with “Kiss of Death,” also released in the same year). Unfortunately, this misstep significantly affected Caruso’s movie career. By the 2000s, he was relegated to supporting roles, such as in the Meg Ryan/Russell Crowe thriller “Proof of Life.” In a bid to regain his footing, Caruso returned to television, albeit quietly. He later confessed that taking risks on “NYPD Blue” was a mistake, admitting that he made foolish decisions, much like young actors often do.

David Caruso’s most iconic role was yet to come

Following an unsuccessful stint in movies, David Caruso re-entered television, initially sporadically. He starred in the brief legal drama “Michael Hayes” and TV films “Gold Coast” and “Deadlocked.” Eventually, he was cast as the lead in “CSI: Miami,” a spin-off of the hit CBS crime series “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.” The show focused on a Miami police investigative unit led by Caruso’s character, Lieutenant Horatio Caine. He appeared in all 232 episodes of “CSI: Miami” and even made an appearance on a crossover episode of “CSI: NY,” fully immersing himself in the role and the world of Horatio Caine. The series ended after a 10-season run in 2012, at which point Caruso chose to retire from acting altogether.

After wrapping up his ten-year stint on “CSI: Miami,” similar to other cast members, Caruso chose to embark on fresh ventures. He opted to establish roots in Miami and opened a boutique called “Steam On Sunset,” which blends his artistic flair with the fashion world. Expressing his fondness for Miami, he stated that it was now his permanent residence, and he would not miss the harsh, aggressive atmosphere of Los Angeles. As reported by Midland Daily News, Caruso and his wife reside in a South Beach condo valued at $1 million, which is within his means given his estimated net worth of around $25 million from his time on “CSI: Miami.” Leaving acting behind permanently was a daring decision, but Caruso appears to be quite content living the relaxed beach lifestyle in Florida.

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2025-07-20 19:30