Celebrity Info
Bill Brochtrup, an American television actor, became a familiar face to audiences thanks to his standout performance as the calm and compassionate public administrative assistant John Irvin on the long-running series NYPD Blue (ABC, 1993–2005). Born in Inglewood, California, and raised in Tacoma, Washington, Bill Brochtrup pursued his passion for acting at New York University’s prestigious Tisch School of the Arts. After graduating in 1985, he quickly made his mark on the West Coast entertainment scene. While building a solid reputation in theater—performing at respected venues like South Coast Repertory, The Pasadena Playhouse, and the Black Dahlia Theatre—Bill Brochtrup also carved out a niche for himself on television.
During those early years, he appeared in popular shows such as Tour of Duty (CBS, 1987–1990), Murder, She Wrote (CBS, 1989–1996), and even lent his talents to the quirky sitcom ALF (NBC, 1986–1990). Around the same time, Bill Brochtrup began exploring film roles, with appearances in Rockula and Kinjite: Forbidden Subjects, both released in 1989. What set Bill Brochtrup apart was his authenticity—he was openly gay and never felt the need to conceal his identity from casting directors or producers. That honesty paid off when he landed the role of John Irvin, a kind-hearted and openly gay public administrative assistant on NYPD Blue.
The character, initially intended as a temporary guest role, resonated deeply with viewers, thanks in large part to Bill Brochtrup’s natural warmth and grounded performance. Fans embraced John Irvin, and the show’s creators followed suit—Brochtrup remained a consistent presence throughout the remainder of the series’ decade-long run. His chemistry with co-creator Steven Bochco was so strong that they collaborated again on two other projects: Public Morals (ABC, 1996), where Bill Brochtrup reprised his role as Irvin, and Total Security (ABC, 1997). Though neither series lasted beyond a single season, Bill Brochtrup’s performances left a lasting impression.
As a result, he found himself increasingly in demand. In the years that followed, Bill Brochtrup made memorable guest appearances on hit shows like Without a Trace (CBS, 2002–2009) and Dexter (Showtime, 2006–2013). These roles led to more substantial opportunities, including recurring parts on The Closer (TNT, 2005–2012) and its successful spinoff Major Crimes (TNT, 2012–2018). He also appeared in Shameless (Showtime, 2011–), further showcasing his range across genres and formats. Then, in 2019, fans of classic TV were thrilled by the announcement that NYPD Blue would be rebooted—and yes, John Irvin, brought to life by Bill Brochtrup, would return to serve the people of the 15th Precinct. It was a testament to the enduring appeal of both the character and the actor who portrayed him with such sincerity and charm.
When it comes to Bill Brochtrup’s filmography, one standout in terms of critical reception is definitely Duck from 2005—that’s actually his highest rated movie. It seems to have resonated well with both audiences and critics alike. On the other hand, looking at the lower end of the spectrum, Bill Brochtrup was also part of Life as We Know It, released back in 2010, which ended up being his lowest rated film to date. Of course, every actor has their hits and misses, and for Bill Brochtrup, these two titles mark the opposite ends of the rating scale. Still, it’s interesting to see how Bill Brochtrup’s performances vary across different roles and genres.
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