Tall, broad-shouldered, and handsome, this former football star became a respected TV actor best known for his six seasons as Officer Joe Coffey, partner to Betty Thomas' Lucy Bates, on "Hill Street Blues" (NBC, 1981-86). Ed Marinaro was attracted to acting when he was healing from a foot injury and his New York Jets teammate Joe Namath suggested he give the entertainment industry a whirl. He soon quit football, moved to Los Angeles, studied acting and bagged a guest shot on an episode of the police drama "Eischied". Soon after, he appeared in an unsold pilot, but producer Garry Marshall saw
