ABC’s “NYPD Blue” revolutionized police dramas, but its rapid ascent faced a hiccup when lead actor David Caruso, portraying Detective John Kelly, departed early in its second season. After winning a Golden Globe for his role, Caruso left just four episodes into the new season, with Jimmy Smits stepping in as Detective Bobby Simone. Speculation surrounded Caruso’s sudden departure, and years later, the truth came out. In his 2016 memoir “Truth is a Total Defense,” as reported by The Hollywood Reporter, show co-creator Steven Bochco described Caruso’s behavior on set as “cancerous” and claimed Caruso was “emotionally distant” and displayed unpredictable moods. Bochco suggested Caruso believed himself above television, aiming to provoke the crew into firing him.

Caruso’s departure was also fueled by financial disagreements, desiring his $40,000 per episode salary to jump to $100,000, alongside several other requests. Bochco’s memoir recounts these demands, which included having Fridays off, a 38-foot trailer, an office with a development executive paid $1,000 weekly, two hotel suites in New York, a dozen first-class flights, and enhanced security. Unsurprisingly, these demands were declined.

Before “NYPD Blue,” Caruso’s film career featured minor roles in movies like “An Officer and a Gentleman,” “First Blood,” “Twins,” “King of New York,” and “Hudson Hawk.” His shift to leading man status likely reignited his desire to return to cinema, where the financial rewards were compelling. He reportedly earned $1 million for his lead role in Barbet Schroeder’s “Kiss of Death,” with co-star Nicolas Cage. This film was one of two headlined by Caruso post-“NYPD Blue,” the other being “Jade,” an erotic thriller directed by Oscar-winner William Friedkin and scripted by Joe Eszterhas of “Basic Instinct” fame.

Despite the talent involved, “Jade” was, simply put, a disaster. Filled with gruesome violence and graphic sex scenes, it stars Caruso as a New York Assistant District Attorney investigating a murder that might involve his ex-lover (Linda Fiorentino). A box office bomb, it was reviled by critics and nominated for two Razzie awards, including worst new star for Caruso (shared with “Kiss of Death,” released the same year). Caruso’s movie career never recovered, and by the time the 2000s rolled around, he was receiving fifth billing in the Meg Ryan/Russell Crowe thriller “Proof of Life.” With little choice, Caruso quietly returned to television. He later admitted that he made a mistake by rocking the boat on “NYPD Blue.” He told The Hollywood Reporter: “Young actors sometimes do very dumb things. I was no exception.”

After failing to make an impact on the big screen, David Caruso returned to television, albeit in fits and starts at first. After starring in the short-lived legal drama “Michael Hayes” and the TV movies “Gold Coast” and “Deadlocked,” Caruso landed the lead role in “CSI: Miami.” A spin-off of the popular CBS procedural “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” it centers on a Miami police investigative team lead by Caruso’s Lieutenant Horatio Caine. He appeared in all 232 episodes of “CSI: Miami” and even popped up on a cross-over episode of “CSI: NY,” fully embracing his role and the world of Horatio Caine. The series went off the air after 10 seasons in 2012, and Caruso decided to quit acting for good.

Like some other cast members, Caruso pursued new interests after “CSI: Miami.” Having filmed for a decade in Miami, he decided to settle there and open his own clothing and home furnishings boutique, “Steam On Sunset,” combining his passion for art with fashion. “Love it here,” he said of Miami after making it his permanent home, adding that he will not miss the “cynical, hardcore energy” of Los Angeles. According to Midland Daily News, he and wife live in a South Beach condominium worth a million dollars. Considering how much money he likely earned during his decade fronting “CSI: Miami” (he’s said to have a net worth of around $25 million), he can easily afford it. Quitting acting for good was a bold move, but Caruso is seemingly very content living the laid-back, beachside life in Florida.