Before “NYPD Blue,” Caruso’s film career featured minor roles in movies like “An Officer and a Gentleman,” “First Blood,” “Twins,” “King of New York,” and “Hudson Hawk.” His shift to leading man status likely reignited his desire to return to cinema, where the financial rewards were compelling. He reportedly earned $1 million for his lead role in Barbet Schroeder’s “Kiss of Death,” with co-star Nicolas Cage. This film was one of two headlined by Caruso post-“NYPD Blue,” the other being “Jade,” an erotic thriller directed by Oscar-winner William Friedkin and scripted by Joe Eszterhas of “Basic Instinct” fame. Despite the talent involved, “Jade” was, simply put, a disaster. Filled with gruesome violence and graphic sex scenes, it stars Caruso as a New York Assistant District Attorney investigating a murder that might involve his ex-lover (Linda Fiorentino). A box office bomb, it was reviled by critics and nominated for two Razzie awards, including worst new star for Caruso (shared with “Kiss of Death,” released the same year). Caruso’s movie career never recovered, and by the time the 2000s rolled around, he was receiving fifth billing in the Meg Ryan/Russell Crowe thriller “Proof of Life.” With little choice, Caruso quietly returned to television. He later admitted that he made a mistake by rocking the boat on “NYPD Blue.” He told The Hollywood Reporter: “Young actors sometimes do very dumb things. I was no exception.”