Behind The Desk: The True Story You Never Knew About Hill Street Blues

Joe Spano Wanted To Play Renko

Joe Spano from Hill Street Blues.jpg

Photo Credit: Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images

Cast as Lieutenant Henry Goldblume, actor Joe Spano always wished he had played Officer Andrew Renko. He auditioned for the part of Renko, but the precinct had different plans for him.

Spano’s least favorite part of Goldbume was wearing bowties. Speaking with Playboy in 1983, he said he fought Michael Kozoll “all the way” on his character’s fashion preference. Losing the battle turned out to help his performance Spano turned his hate into one of his Goldblume’s traits. Then again, things could have ended quickly if Spano had been Renko.