Bobby Simone
Encyclopedia
Bobby Simone was a fictional character in the television series NYPD Blue
. He was played by Jimmy Smits
from near the start of the second season until the beginning of the sixth.
Simone was introduced to the squad after Andy Sipowicz
's former partner, John Kelly
, was forced to leave the NYPD in the face of an IAB witch hunt. His previous job had been as a driver for the police commissioner, a role that initially riled Sipowicz. However, Simone explained that he had asked for the job so he could spend more time with his wife as she was dying from cancer. An early bond and friendship between them was strong enough that Andy asked Simone to step in after John Kelly couldn't make it back to New York for Sipowicz's wedding to Sylvia Costas
. Bobby and Andy became great friends and partners, although Bobby did not let Andy get away with making racist comments around him. We later learned that Bobby was a quiet kid whose passion for raising racing pigeons came from his friendship with a retired boxer (who later showed early signs of Alzheimer's), and that he had a flashy older friend named Ray DiSalvo whom he idolized — which came back to haunt him when Ray became a petty criminal and tried unsuccessfully to sell Bobby out to IAB for giving him an implicit warning to avoid a drug bust.
Early on in his time in the squad Simone started a relationship with Diane Russell
, another cop in the office. According to NYPD guidelines the police department did not allow such couplings for officers who worked in the same precinct, so the couple kept it quiet up until the point that they were married by a justice of the peace (Lt Arthur Fancy also knew they were dating, but never officially notified the higher-ups about it). Simone had earlier had to convince Diane that she had a drinking problem but was a source of strength and comfort for her as she successfully battled the demons in her past. The couple also conceived a child but Diane had a miscarriage in Season 5. In that season's finale, Bobby and Diane were married at City Hall.
Shortly after the wedding, Simone contracted a heart infection that required a heart transplant. Although initially it seemed that Bobby would pull through, his body rejected the new organ and he died. Bobby returned in Season 12 as a spirit offering guidance and comfort to a troubled Andy.
In one episode, when Simone is dealing with a suspect who assumes he is Puerto Rican, Simone retorts that he is of French
and Portuguese
descent and that his parents met in Belize
.
NYPD Blue
NYPD Blue is an American television police drama set in New York City, exploring the internal and external struggles of the fictional 15th precinct of Manhattan...
. He was played by Jimmy Smits
Jimmy Smits
Jimmy Smits is an American actor. Smits is perhaps best known for his roles as attorney Victor Sifuentes on the 1980s legal drama L.A. Law, as NYPD Detective Bobby Simone on the 1990s police drama NYPD Blue, and as Congressman Matt Santos on The West Wing...
from near the start of the second season until the beginning of the sixth.
Simone was introduced to the squad after Andy Sipowicz
Andy Sipowicz
Andy Sipowicz is a fictional character and protagonist on the popular ABC television series NYPD Blue. Dennis Franz portrayed the character for its entire run....
's former partner, John Kelly
John Kelly (NYPD Blue)
John Kelly is a fictional character in the television series NYPD Blue. He was portrayed by David Caruso in the first season and the first four episodes of the second season of the series....
, was forced to leave the NYPD in the face of an IAB witch hunt. His previous job had been as a driver for the police commissioner, a role that initially riled Sipowicz. However, Simone explained that he had asked for the job so he could spend more time with his wife as she was dying from cancer. An early bond and friendship between them was strong enough that Andy asked Simone to step in after John Kelly couldn't make it back to New York for Sipowicz's wedding to Sylvia Costas
Sylvia Costas
Sylvia Costas-Sipowicz, ADA, was a fictional character on NYPD Blue. She was played by Sharon Lawrence.Sylvia Costas was an elegant, beautiful ADA who began an affair with the older and tough Detective Andy Sipowicz, played by Dennis Franz...
. Bobby and Andy became great friends and partners, although Bobby did not let Andy get away with making racist comments around him. We later learned that Bobby was a quiet kid whose passion for raising racing pigeons came from his friendship with a retired boxer (who later showed early signs of Alzheimer's), and that he had a flashy older friend named Ray DiSalvo whom he idolized — which came back to haunt him when Ray became a petty criminal and tried unsuccessfully to sell Bobby out to IAB for giving him an implicit warning to avoid a drug bust.
Early on in his time in the squad Simone started a relationship with Diane Russell
Diane Russell
Diane Russell was a fictional character in the television series NYPD Blue. She was played by Kim Delaney from the second season to the eighth and made five further appearances in seasons ten and eleven....
, another cop in the office. According to NYPD guidelines the police department did not allow such couplings for officers who worked in the same precinct, so the couple kept it quiet up until the point that they were married by a justice of the peace (Lt Arthur Fancy also knew they were dating, but never officially notified the higher-ups about it). Simone had earlier had to convince Diane that she had a drinking problem but was a source of strength and comfort for her as she successfully battled the demons in her past. The couple also conceived a child but Diane had a miscarriage in Season 5. In that season's finale, Bobby and Diane were married at City Hall.
Shortly after the wedding, Simone contracted a heart infection that required a heart transplant. Although initially it seemed that Bobby would pull through, his body rejected the new organ and he died. Bobby returned in Season 12 as a spirit offering guidance and comfort to a troubled Andy.
In one episode, when Simone is dealing with a suspect who assumes he is Puerto Rican, Simone retorts that he is of French
French American
French Americans or Franco-Americans are Americans of French or French Canadian descent. About 11.8 million U.S. residents are of this descent, and about 1.6 million speak French at home.An additional 450,000 U.S...
and Portuguese
Portuguese American
Portuguese Americans are citizens of the United States whose ancestry originates in the southwest European nation of Portugal, including the offshore island groups of the Azores and Madeira....
descent and that his parents met in Belize
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
.