Kiel Martin

Born in Pittsburgh, Kiel Martin was a character actor best known for his role as Detective John LaRue on "Hill Street Blues." Martin's first screen roles were small parts on episodes of late-1960s television shows, including "Dragnet" and "The Virginian." In '69, he wed actor/singer Dean Martin's daughter, Claudia, but the marriage didn't last long. Martin had a supporting part in the Al Pacino drama "The Panic in Needle Park," but he didn't have a substantial role until he signed on to play the charming LaRue on "Hill Street Blues" in '81. During the cop drama's seven-season run, Martin appeared on episodes of "The Love Boat," and later starred on the little-seen Matthew Perry comedy "Second Chance," while also making guest spots on "Father Dowling Mysteries" and the lauded legal drama "L.A. Law." Martin, who had struggled with alcoholism for much of his adult life, died of cancer in '90, while still in his 40s, cutting a relatively prolific career short.