Why Jimmy Smits Left NYPD Blue (Despite Being Nominated For 5 Emmys) (2024)

Playing the beloved character of Bobby Simone to great acclaim, there is still some question as to why Jimmy Smits left NYPD Blue. NYPD Blue is ranked high among the best cop shows of all time, and its attention to detail, gritty storytelling, and across-the-board top-notch performances have made it stand out among a packed field of police procedurals. Its mature themes have kept it in the pop culture consciousness long after it ended in 2005. One of the most enduring characters on the show was Detective Bobby Simone, played by Jimmy Smits.

Bobby Simone first appeared on NYPD Blue in season 2, episode 5, "Simon Says", immediately making an impression. Initially a police commissioner's driver, the detective quickly proves his abilities, and his street smarts and empathy earned him love from fans and critics, with six Emmy nominations over his run on the show and one Golden Globe win. This only made Smits' exit from the show all the more puzzling.

Jimmy Smits Left NYPD Blue To Pursue Other Acting Opportunities

Simone Develops A Deadly Bacterial Infection

In season 6, episode 1, "Top Gum", Simone began to show signs that he wasn't feeling well. Over the next few episodes, Smits' condition worsened as it's revealed he has developed a Gram-positive bacterial infection which quickly spread to his organs, leading to his eventual death in season 6, episode 5, "Hearts and Souls". His death devastates the 15th precinct, but in particular, his partner Andy Sipowicz (Dennis Franz) and his wife of only a few months, Diane Russell (Kim Delaney).

In the manner of NYPD Blue, there is not a lot of schmaltz and melodrama when it comes to Simone's death, making the whole five-episode arc a harrowing and anxious series of events that feel over before they even begin. Smits, fortunately, was not unhappy with his character's fate, and it was actually his wish to leave the show that resulted in his character's passing. In an interview with Yahoo, Smits reveals he opted to leave the show to pursue other acting opportunities, saying,

"As an actor, you think to yourself, 'I want to do good work,' but you also want the work that you do to make an impact in some way. I always grapple with myself, from job to job, 'Is this going to make an impact in some way?' And at least I know, looking at an episode like that, that I was involved with something I can really be proud of."

It's not unusual for actors to leave popular TV shows, so Smits' departure isn't unprecedented, which is likely why the producers and director of the episode were so gracious with how they dealt with the exit. The episode's director, Paris Barclay, told Yahoo,

"[Series co-creator David Milch] really wanted to do an ode to a real death on television. He wanted to do what it was really like when he saw his father pass. He had a similar condition, I believe. He thought that that would be compelling television. I think he was right."

It was a personal sequence for everyone involved, and the result was a very moving piece of television. Smits' work on NYPD Blue earned him three Golden Globe nominations for Best Actor, one of which he won in 1996, and five Emmy nominations in the same category. Simone is a beloved character by critics and fans alike and his death meant viewers were no longer able to tune into Smits' subtle and engrossing acting as the kind and insightful Simone.

Smits Had A Versatile Acting Career Post-NYPD, Including A Villainous Turn On Dexter

Smits Has Appeared In Many Notable Productions Including Star Wars And The West Wing

NYPD Blue may be Smits' most awarded role, but he's had plenty of other significant performances afterward, including playing ADA Miguel Prado in Dexter, a role which earned him an Outstanding Guest Actor Emmy nomination. Prado is the big bad of season 3 and is much more sinister than Simone was, even at his worst. The only thing the two characters have in common is that they both ostensibly work to put criminals away.

However, Prado's ambition and penchant for violence are much more than Simone could ever stomach. It's a testament to Smits' range as an actor that he can play such disparate characters who, on the surface, have similarities. Smits' other notable roles beyond NYPD Blue and Dexter include Matt Santos on The West Wing, Bail Organa in the Star Wars franchise, and Nero in Sons of Anarchy.

Jimmy Smits Has Continued To Play Authority Figures

Smits Maintained The Same Commanding Presence In Dramas And Comedies

It has been decades since Jimmy Smits left NYPD Blue, and while he has gone on to have a successful and versatile career, the popularity of Bobby Simone as a character has led Smits to a number of authority figure roles. Smits is an actor who exudes gravitas and has a commanding nature whenever he steps on screen and that has been used well in a number of projects that followed. Many of these characters are different from Simone, but seeing Smits in these roles does feel reminiscent of his time on NYPD Blue.

While Bail Organa is a character within the grand and amazing story of Star Wars, Smits always helped to ground him in a sense of reliability. He was a man working within the system but had the strength and power to take on his oppressors in a secret war. Likewise, it was not easy to find someone able to step into the shoes of Martin Sheen's President Bartlet on The West Wing, but Smits fit the role of the unlikely politician who was still able to inspire and excite his followers.

Even in more comedic roles, Smits has maintained that powerful presence. One of his most popular guest-starring roles was as Amy Santiago's father, Victor, in Brooklyn Nine-Nine. Victor is a highly intelligent man, which adds a hilarious level of intimidation for Jake Peralta, who is constantly trying to impress his unenthused in-law. Smits continues to be a captivating performer, but his time on NYPD Blue has certainly had an impact on his career that lasts to this day.

NYPD Blue

Where to Watch

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Cast

Dennis Franz , Jimmy Smits , Gordon Clapp , James McDaniel

Release Date

September 21, 1993

Seasons

12