Daniel J. Travanti

Above: Daniel J. Travanti (center in 3-piece beige suit) from Hill Street Blues (1981-1987) publicity photo.

Daniel J. Travanti - Actor (Hill Street Blues); born Danielo Giovanni Travanti on March 7, 1940 in Kenosha, Wisconsin.

Travanti's father worked at the American Motors assembly plant in Kenosha. Travanti was raised in Iowa for some of his childhood, but eventually returned back to his home state and attended Bradford High School (Mary D. Bradford High School) in Kenosha, where he showed athletic prowess on the football team (where he received All American Honorable Mention) and academic prowess on the debate team.

Note: Football player, Heisman Trophy winner and fellow Wisconsinite, Alan Ameche, also attended Bradford High School.

Travanti earned scholarships to Harvard University, Princeton University, and Dartmouth College, although he eventually attended the University of Wisconsin–Madison where he finished his undergraduate work in only three years, receiving a BA in 1963 in Speech. While at the University of Wisconsin, Travanti developed an interest in drama, appearing in many college plays while at the university. Travanti even turned down top football scholarships in order to pursue acting.

In 1957, before his senior year of high school, he attended the youth government and leadership program called Badger Boys State. Another Wisconsinite, Al Jarreau, the Grammy winning Jazz, R&B soul singer, also attended Badger Boys State in 1957.

Travanti's first credited role was in a 1964 episode of the Route 66 televison series titled"Child of a Night" (S4, Ep13). Years later, Travanti earned five nominations and two Emmy Awards for his portrayal of Hill Street Station Captain Frank Furillo on the televison series, "Hill Street Blues".

The Daniel J. Travanti Scholarship fund was established at the Univerity of Wisconsin-Madison by Travanti on March 11, 1987

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