James McDaniel

Handsome, long-faced African-American performer of film, TV and stage who received his break when he assumed the role of C.J. in the hit Off-Broadway production of "A Soldier's Play." His significant association with TV producer-writer Steven Bochco began with an appearance as a militant cop in an episode of "Hill Street Blues." McDaniel has subsequently starred in two Bochco police series: the short-lived musical program, "Cop Rock" (ABC, 1990) and the controversial drama, "NYPD Blue" (ABC, from 1993 to 2001). In the latter, he was Lieutenant Arthur Fancy, sort of a black variation of Daniel J. Travanti's "anchor" role on "Hill Street Blues."