Why did Gregory Sierra (Chano) leave? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Dr. Thong · 09-20-2003, 06:41 PM

Why did Gregory Sierra (Chano) leave after season 2? Was it a failed contract negotiation for more money or did he leave because of dissatisfaction with his character or to pursue other opportunities??

TJL · 09-20-2003, 07:18 PM

I just think it was a case of too many characters and not enough room.
As the series progressed, the writers and producers figured out which characters were the strongest and more popular, and they were the ones who got more screen time.

The pilot for the series focused on Barney's homelife, but when the show was picked up a few months later attention shifted to the goings on at the station, his son and daughter were gone, and his wife was around for season one, but vanished after that.

The first season is always tough for an ensemble show. Eventually, they start cutting the dead wood.

maclen · 09-21-2003, 12:38 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dr. Thong
Why did Gregory Sierra (Chano) leave after season 2? Was it a failed contract negotiation for more money or did he leave because of dissatisfaction with his character or to pursue other opportunities??

Actually Greg Sierra keft BM to star in his own show called AES Hudson Street, which I understand, was meant to have the same Barney Miller vibe, but in a hospital setting. I believe the creators of Barney Miller had something to do with this show as well (I've never seen an episode).

maclen

Spats · 02-16-2005, 10:30 PM

How was Chano's absence explained?

treky · 05-04-2005, 02:10 AM

I don't think it ever was explained.

Scoobiedoo30 · 05-08-2005, 10:06 AM

I think Gregory Sierra Left Barney Miller To go do Sanford And Son.

RIC FLAIR · 05-08-2005, 09:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by agmfox8@yahoo.com

I think Gregory Sierra Left Barney Miller To go do Sanford And Son.

HE WAS IN SANFORD & SON BEFORE BARNEY MILLER

Brian Damage · 05-30-2005, 11:30 AM

Gregory Sierra was a hot commodity in the '70's.

TripperFan · 05-30-2005, 11:54 AM

He sure was popular in the 70s and early 80s (on Soap) - and I don't think it was a case of too many characters - and his had a fairly large role that I really liked. I think he just left to go onto his own show. It's too bad - I would have liked him to stay a few more seasons. If they were going to drop a character, you'd think it would be Levitz.

TVFactFan · 05-30-2005, 07:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TripperFan

He sure was popular in the 70s and early 80s (on Soap) - and I don't think it was a case of too many characters - and his had a fairly large role that I really liked. I think he just left to go onto his own show. It's too bad - I would have liked him to stay a few more seasons. If they were going to drop a character, you'd think it would be Levitz.

Well he couldn't have been that popular because one of his shows-"AES Hudson Street" was cancelled after one month in 1978.lol

Brian Damage · 05-30-2005, 07:36 PM

He was popular as far as casting directors were concerned. He was in practically every show in the '70's.

catlover79 · 05-04-2007, 12:46 AM

I was bummed to learn that he left after Season 2. I would've loved to see Chano grow and evolve throughout the series' entire run like Wojo, Harris, and the rest. Chano to me was one of the most interesting characters: a foreigner who was deeply proud of his roots but was still working as hard as he could to better his situation. He had no tolerance for abuse, prejudice and injustice but had such a soft, compassionate heart. Chano was tough when it came to criminals but he was a man you'd like to bring home to meet your parents. He loved to dance and have fun, and was the type who knew how to treat a woman right.

Gregory Sierra's best performance was of course in "The Hero", and I'm sorry he never had another signature episode like that again. Through the magic of videos, DVDs and syndicated reruns, I have seen him in many different roles. He was always at his best playing the romantic hero (like in Kung Fu's Season 1 ep "The Stone", now on DVD) but much more often played the bad guy who got killed off. Truly an underrated and versatile actor -- and he was a gorgeous one too!

malicedoom · 07-30-2007, 04:12 PM

They do mention him years later when a 'replacement' comes to work at the 12th (one of those characters that didn't stick around long - I think her name was Roz?) - but she was supposed to be filling Chano's spot, only it took the main office something like 2-3 years to finally send someone to fill the open position.

ComedyGuy · 09-21-2007, 01:50 PM

I seem to remember it was 2 years after his departure and the actress who played ROZ was also (in the last season) the wife of Bruno Binder who had a sporting goods store and she played a hooker (well not really) who left her husband at home with their 4 kids

ComedyGuy · 10-14-2007, 09:57 AM

I remember an episode of BM where Chano shoots and kills 2 armed young man who tried robbing a bank and BM stooped in Chano's apt. to see how Chano was doing and Chano gets BM a beer and after BM leaves Chano breaks down and cries if I am not mistaken that was the last episode Chano was in (I think)

09-20-2003, 06:41 PM	#1
Dr. Thong a/k/a "ACK!" Forum Veteran Join Date: Jul 10, 2001 Location: New Hampshire, USA Posts: 5,545	Why did Gregory Sierra (Chano) leave? Why did Gregory Sierra (Chano) leave after season 2? Was it a failed contract negotiation for more money or did he leave because of dissatisfaction with his character or to pursue other opportunities??

09-20-2003, 07:18 PM	#2
TJL Suburbanite Extrordinaire Forum Star Join Date: Dec 29, 2001 Location: New Jersey - the cradle of civilization Posts: 16,591	I just think it was a case of too many characters and not enough room. As the series progressed, the writers and producers figured out which characters were the strongest and more popular, and they were the ones who got more screen time. The pilot for the series focused on Barney's homelife, but when the show was picked up a few months later attention shifted to the goings on at the station, his son and daughter were gone, and his wife was around for season one, but vanished after that. The first season is always tough for an ensemble show. Eventually, they start cutting the dead wood.
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05-04-2005, 02:10 AM	#5
treky star trek fan Eternal Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Feb 25, 2002 Location: Conshohocken, pennsylvania Posts: 14,490	I don't think it ever was explained.
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05-08-2005, 10:06 AM	#6
Scoobiedoo30 Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Jun 27, 2002 Location: KENNER, LOUISIANA Posts: 27,654	Why did Gregory Sierra (Chano) Leave I think Gregory Sierra Left Barney Miller To go do Sanford And Son.
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05-30-2005, 11:54 AM	#9
TripperFan In God's Arms Now Forum Star Join Date: Sep 14, 2003 Location: Heartbreak Ridge Posts: 12,087	He sure was popular in the 70s and early 80s (on Soap) - and I don't think it was a case of too many characters - and his had a fairly large role that I really liked. I think he just left to go onto his own show. It's too bad - I would have liked him to stay a few more seasons. If they were going to drop a character, you'd think it would be Levitz.
	__________________ If I don't see you in this world, I'll meet you in the next one.....don't be late James Marshall Hendrix Voodoo Chile The Forum Legend formerly known as TripperFan "religion is for people who are afraid of hell--spirituality is for people who have been through hell"---anonymous

02-16-2005, 10:30 PM	#4
Spats Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 05, 2005 Posts: 28	How was Chano's absence explained?

05-30-2005, 11:30 AM	#8
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	Gregory Sierra was a hot commodity in the '70's.

05-30-2005, 07:36 PM	#11
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	He was popular as far as casting directors were concerned. He was in practically every show in the '70's.

05-04-2007, 12:46 AM	#12
catlover79 God Bless Val Forum Addict Join Date: May 29, 2006 Location: Bewitched in Ohio Posts: 70,376	I was bummed to learn that he left after Season 2. I would've loved to see Chano grow and evolve throughout the series' entire run like Wojo, Harris, and the rest. Chano to me was one of the most interesting characters: a foreigner who was deeply proud of his roots but was still working as hard as he could to better his situation. He had no tolerance for abuse, prejudice and injustice but had such a soft, compassionate heart. Chano was tough when it came to criminals but he was a man you'd like to bring home to meet your parents. He loved to dance and have fun, and was the type who knew how to treat a woman right. Gregory Sierra's best performance was of course in "The Hero", and I'm sorry he never had another signature episode like that again. Through the magic of videos, DVDs and syndicated reruns, I have seen him in many different roles. He was always at his best playing the romantic hero (like in Kung Fu's Season 1 ep "The Stone", now on DVD) but much more often played the bad guy who got killed off. Truly an underrated and versatile actor -- and he was a gorgeous one too!
	__________________ "Jesus loves you and He approves this message." "I'm alive. I'm feeling good. I'm trying to live every moment as much as I can." - Valerie Harper, March 2013 Last edited by catlover79; 05-14-2007 at 06:36 PM.

07-30-2007, 04:12 PM	#13
malicedoom Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Feb 09, 2004 Location: Chicago, IL Posts: 53	They do mention him years later when a 'replacement' comes to work at the 12th (one of those characters that didn't stick around long - I think her name was Roz?) - but she was supposed to be filling Chano's spot, only it took the main office something like 2-3 years to finally send someone to fill the open position.

09-21-2007, 01:50 PM	#14
ComedyGuy King Of TV Trivia Senior Member Join Date: Sep 17, 2007 Location: Eastlake Ohio Posts: 1,255	I seem to remember it was 2 years after his departure and the actress who played ROZ was also (in the last season) the wife of Bruno Binder who had a sporting goods store and she played a hooker (well not really) who left her husband at home with their 4 kids

10-14-2007, 09:57 AM	#15
ComedyGuy King Of TV Trivia Senior Member Join Date: Sep 17, 2007 Location: Eastlake Ohio Posts: 1,255	I remember an episode of BM where Chano shoots and kills 2 armed young man who tried robbing a bank and BM stooped in Chano's apt. to see how Chano was doing and Chano gets BM a beer and after BM leaves Chano breaks down and cries if I am not mistaken that was the last episode Chano was in (I think)