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‘Blue Bloods’: Len Cariou Net Worth and How He Became Famous

Len Cariou is best known for his role as Henry Reagan on the CBS series Blue Bloods. He joined the cast back in 2010. Here’s a look at his career, net worth, and how he became famous. Len Cariou’s movies and TV shows One of Cariou’s early television roles was in a 1963 episode of …

by Sheiresa Ngo

Published on January 21, 2021

2 min read

Len Cariou’s movies and TV shows

Len Cariou as Henry Reagan | Patrick Harbron/CBS via Getty Images

One of Cariou’s early television roles was in a 1963 episode of the series Quest titled “Kim.” The following year, he appeared in the series Festival, in which he played the character Ragner in an episode titled “The Master Builder.” Cariou made his film debut in a 1977 movie titled One Man. He played the character Jason Brady.

That same year, Cariou played Frederick Egerman in the movie A Little Night Music. Some of his other TV and film roles include appearances in The Taming of the Shrew; The Tempest; Murder, She Wrote; Brotherhood; and When They See Us.

Cariou has also spent some time in stage productions. In 1968, he made his Broadway debut in The House of Atreus. He then appeared in the 1969 play King Henry V. The following year, he played Bill Sampson in Applause.

Cariou’s big break came in 1979 when he played Sweeney Todd in the Broadway show of the same name. His other Broadway appearances include roles in Up from Paradise, Sondheim: A Musical Tribute, Teddy & Alice, Funny Girl, and Harry Townsend’s Last Stand.

Len Cariou as Henry Reagan on ‘Blue Bloods’

Len Cariou as Henry Reagan on ‘Blue Bloods’ | John Paul Filo/CBS via Getty Images

Henry, the father of Frank Reagan, served as a Marine during World War II and in Korea. He joined the New York Police Department and later became police commissioner. He’s now retired, and Frank is the police commissioner. Frank’s children, Erin, Danny, and Jamie are carrying on the tradition of Reagans in law enforcement.

Henry is a role model for the Reagan children and grandchildren. Of all the grandchildren, Danny Reagan admires his grandfather most. Erin says he couldn’t wait to hear the stories Henry told about the police department in the old days. Henry and Danny have a good relationship, but they sometimes clash. For example, when Henry assisted Danny on a case during season 10, episode 8 (titled “Friends in High Places”), they had many disagreements.

Henry preferred to use a softer approach when dealing with a suspect while Danny wanted to use Henry’s old-school tactics. At one point, Henry tells Danny he regrets telling him about how police officers used to operate when he was part of the police department. Danny eventually steps back and learns to appreciate Henry’s updated way of doing police work.

Len Cariou’s awards

Cariou’s acting talent has not gone unnoticed. In 1979, the Blue Bloods actor won a Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actor in a Musical. That same year, he received a Tony Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a leading Role in a Musical. In 2004, Cariou was honored with an induction into the American Theater Hall of Fame.