David Caruso became one of television’s most recognizable crime-drama actors through NYPD Blue and CSI: Miami. Born on January 7, 1956, the New York native is now 70 years old. After decades of acting, Caruso stepped away from regular screen work when CSI: Miami ended in 2012. Today, interest in David Caruso net worth, career earnings and private life remains strong.
Quick bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | David Stephen Caruso |
| Known As | David Caruso |
| Date of Birth | January 7, 1956 |
| Age | 70 years old |
| Birthplace | Forest Hills, Queens, New York City, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Retired Actor, Producer |
| Height | 6 ft (1.83 m) |
| Net Worth | Approx. $20 million |
| Famous For | Horatio Caine in CSI: Miami |
| Parents | Charles Caruso and Joan Caruso |
| Children | Greta, Marquez Anthony, and Paloma Raquel |
| Marital Status | Divorced |
David Caruso Net Worth
David Caruso net worth is estimated at around $20 million in 2026. Celebrity Net Worth, which updated its estimate in May 2026, also lists his peak television salary at approximately $375,000 per episode. His fortune was mainly built through decades of film and television work, with CSI: Miami becoming the most financially successful period of his acting career.
Celebrity wealth figures should be viewed as estimates rather than audited financial statements. Still, Caruso’s documented salaries show why his fortune became substantial. CBS reported that he was earning roughly $375,000 for each episode of CSI: Miami during the show’s later years, placing him among television’s highest-paid dramatic actors at the time.
Age and Early Life
David Stephen Caruso was born in Forest Hills, Queens, New York City, on January 7, 1956. He is 70 years old as of 2026. His mother, Joan, worked as a librarian, while his father, Charles Caruso, was a magazine and newspaper editor. Caruso was raised mainly by his mother after his father left the family when he was young.
He attended Our Lady Queen of Martyrs Catholic School and later graduated from Archbishop Molloy High School in 1974. Before finding success as an actor, Caruso worked as a movie-theater usher. Watching large numbers of films helped develop his interest in performers such as Humphrey Bogart and James Cagney.
Height and Appearance
David Caruso stands approximately 6 feet tall, or 1.83 meters. He became particularly recognizable for his fair complexion and naturally red hair, which helped give him a distinctive screen presence. During CSI: Miami, his formal suits, serious expression and dark sunglasses became closely associated with Lieutenant Horatio Caine and eventually became part of popular television culture.
Acting Career
Caruso spent years taking smaller roles before becoming a major television star. His earlier credits included An Officer and a Gentleman, First Blood, Hill Street Blues, Twins and King of New York. These performances gradually established him as a dependable character actor, particularly in crime stories and dramatic roles involving police officers or other authority figures.
His career changed dramatically in 1993 when he joined NYPD Blue as Detective John Kelly. The role brought him national attention and earned him the 1994 Golden Globe Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series – Drama. The official Golden Globes records list Caruso with one nomination and one win.
Leaving NYPD Blue
Caruso left NYPD Blue during its second season while trying to develop a larger movie career. Reports at the time focused heavily on contract negotiations, although Caruso later said scheduling and the opportunity to make movies were important factors. His departure was highly publicized because the series had quickly made him one of television’s most visible actors.
His move into movies produced mixed results. The Los Angeles Times reported that he earned about $1 million for Kiss of Death and $2 million for Jade. Neither movie produced the level of commercial success expected from his television popularity, and Caruso eventually returned to series television.
CSI: Miami Success
The biggest comeback of Caruso’s career arrived in 2002, when he took the lead role of Horatio Caine in CSI: Miami. The character headed a team of forensic investigators and became known for calm crime-scene observations and dramatic sunglasses moments. CBS later described the program as having global popularity and an important place in the network’s success.
Caruso remained with the series throughout its 10-season run, which ended in 2012 after more than 200 episodes. The longevity of the show provided him with years of high television earnings and became the most important factor when discussing David Caruso net worth and long-term career success.
CSI: Miami Salary
At his reported peak, Caruso earned about $375,000 per episode of CSI: Miami. A season containing around 24 episodes at that rate would equal roughly $9 million in gross salary, although actual take-home income would be affected by taxes, commissions, contract terms and other expenses. His television salary explains a major part of his estimated fortune.
His CSI: Miami income was considerably higher than the salaries connected with many of his earlier projects. Combined with his film earnings and decades of acting work, the series helped make the later stage of his career far more financially successful than his first attempt at becoming a leading movie star.
Family and Siblings
Caruso was born to Charles and Joan Caruso and grew up in Queens. Available biographies describe him as having an older sister, although she has remained outside the entertainment spotlight. His family background was relatively ordinary compared with the celebrity lifestyle he later experienced, and his childhood was largely shaped by being raised by his mother after his parents separated.
Wives and Relationships
David Caruso has been married three times. He married actress Cheri Maugans in 1979 before their divorce in 1984. He later married actress Rachel Ticotin, and his third marriage was to Margaret Buckley. An Associated Press report from 2005 confirmed that Buckley filed for divorce after approximately eight years of marriage.
Caruso was also in a long-term relationship with Liza Marquez. Unlike his highly visible television career, his relationships and family life have generally received less attention in recent years. He has remained notably private since moving away from regular acting work.
Children
David Caruso has three children. His daughter Greta Caruso was born during his marriage to Rachel Ticotin. With former partner Liza Marquez, he also has a son, Marquez Anthony, and another daughter, Paloma Raquel. His children have generally lived much more privately than their famous father.
Despite decades of public attention surrounding his acting career, Caruso rarely built his celebrity image around his children. This separation between work and family became even more noticeable after he stopped appearing regularly on television.
Lifestyle
Caruso appears to have chosen a considerably quieter lifestyle since CSI: Miami ended. His acting credits effectively stop in 2012, and he has largely avoided the constant interviews, premieres and promotional appearances that were part of his earlier career. Older reports have also linked him to business and art interests outside entertainment.
Rather than maintaining a highly public Hollywood lifestyle, his post-CSI years have been marked by privacy. There is limited reliable information about his present-day spending habits, cars or current home, so claims about an extravagant lifestyle should be treated cautiously.
Social Media
Caruso maintains a far smaller digital footprint than many television stars. Third-party social-media indexing currently associates the Instagram username @davidcarusoofficial with him and reports roughly 19,700 followers. However, its current verification status is not clearly established, so it is safer not to describe the account as verified without checking Instagram directly.
There are also several pages and profiles using his name across Facebook and X, but some may be fan-operated or unofficial. His limited online activity matches the generally private public image he has maintained since leaving television.
Awards and Achievements
Caruso’s Golden Globe victory for NYPD Blue remains one of his biggest critical achievements. Commercially, however, CSI: Miami became the defining success of his career. CBS highlighted the show’s international popularity when announcing its cancellation after ten seasons, demonstrating how widely Horatio Caine had become recognized around the world.
His career is unusual because it includes two major television breakthroughs separated by an uncertain period in movies. He moved from NYPD Blue fame to disappointing theatrical results before returning years later with an even longer television success.
Fun Facts
One interesting fact about David Caruso is that he worked as a cinema usher before becoming an actor and spent enormous amounts of time watching movies. He also appeared in First Blood years before becoming famous as a television detective. His Horatio Caine sunglasses routine later became one of the most frequently parodied characteristics of CSI: Miami.
Caruso also achieved something relatively uncommon in Hollywood: he recovered from a highly criticized career move and returned as the lead of another internationally successful series.
Where Is David Caruso Now?
Caruso has stayed mostly outside mainstream acting since CSI: Miami finished in 2012. At 70, he is generally described as a former or retired actor, although there has been no major recent announcement suggesting a return to television. His long absence from new productions indicates that his priorities have shifted away from Hollywood.
With an estimated $20 million fortune, a Golden Globe, three children and one of crime television’s most recognizable characters on his résumé, David Caruso net worth reflects a career that experienced major highs, setbacks and an impressive comeback. His reported $375,000-per-episode salary from CSI: Miami remains one of the clearest examples of just how successful that comeback became.
FAQs
What is David Caruso’s net worth?
David Caruso’s net worth is estimated at around $20 million. Most of his wealth came from his long television career, especially CSI: Miami.
How much did David Caruso earn from CSI: Miami?
At the peak of the series, David Caruso reportedly earned about $375,000 per episode, making CSI: Miami his most financially successful project.
How old is David Caruso?
David Caruso was born on January 7, 1956, which makes him 70 years old in 2026.
How tall is David Caruso?
David Caruso is approximately 6 feet tall, which is around 1.83 meters.
Is David Caruso still acting?
David Caruso has largely stayed away from acting since CSI: Miami ended in 2012. He now keeps a much more private and low-profile lifestyle.
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