Introduction
You probably remember him. Sunglasses. One-liners. That slow, deliberate walk before delivering the perfect comeback. David Caruso was one of the most recognizable faces on American television for nearly two decades. So it is completely natural that people are searching for answers to the same question: what is David Caruso doing now?
The short answer? He walked away from Hollywood and never looked back. But the longer answer is far more interesting. What is David Caruso doing now involves art galleries, rare public sightings, a completely new look, and a life that most fans would never have predicted for the man who played Lieutenant Horatio Caine on CSI: Miami for ten straight years.
In this article, you will get the full picture. We cover his life after acting, his rare public appearances in 2024 and 2025, his current interests, his personal life, and everything else fans want to know.
Who Is David Caruso? A Quick Background
Before diving into what David Caruso is doing now, it helps to understand who he was at his peak.
David Stephen Caruso was born on January 7, 1956, in Forest Hills, Queens, New York. He is of Irish and Italian descent and was raised in a Roman Catholic household. His father left the family when David was just two years old, which shaped much of who he became. He attended Archbishop Molloy High School and graduated in 1974 before slowly finding his way into acting.
His career milestones include:
- Hill Street Blues (early TV work in the 1980s)
- NYPD Blue (1993) as Detective John Kelly, which earned him a Golden Globe Award in 1994
- Kiss of Death (1995) and Proof of Life (2000) in film
- CSI: Miami (2002 to 2012) as Lieutenant Horatio Caine, his most defining role
At the peak of CSI: Miami, Caruso was reportedly earning around $375,000 per episode. That kind of success built a net worth now estimated at $35 million. But money was never enough to keep him tied to Hollywood forever.
What Is David Caruso Doing Now? The Real Answer
So, what is David Caruso doing now in 2025 and 2026? The answer is: living quietly, purposefully, and almost entirely out of the spotlight.
After CSI: Miami was canceled in 2012 due to declining ratings and rising production costs, Caruso made a clean break. He did not launch a comeback. He did not appear on a streaming series. He did not write a memoir or host a podcast. He simply stepped away.
What is David Caruso doing now is the question millions of fans ask, and the truest answer is that he traded his detective badge for a paintbrush.
He Became an Art Dealer and Gallery Owner
After leaving acting, Caruso moved into the art world. He opened an art gallery in Westlake Village, California, and spent years working as an art dealer and curator. This was not a vanity project or a short-term experiment. He genuinely immersed himself in the business of art.
In April 2025, he was photographed carrying paintings into his gallery space in Westlake, California. The photos shocked fans because he looked completely different from his TV days. He had grown his red hair to nearly chin-length, wore glasses, and dressed in a relaxed tracksuit. No sunglasses prop. No detective stance. Just a man doing his work.
However, reports from 2025 confirm that his gallery space has since closed. That said, his involvement in the art world appears to be ongoing in a more private capacity.
He Made Only a Handful of Public Appearances
When you ask what is David Caruso doing now, part of the answer is: almost nothing publicly. And that appears to be intentional.
Since 2012, he has been photographed in public only a small number of times:
- June 2017: Spotted at LAX with his two youngest children
- December 2023: Photographed running errands near his home in LA’s San Fernando Valley. This was his first public photo in six years.
- December 2024: Seen at his art gallery in Westlake, California
- April 30, 2025: Photographed carrying paintings into his gallery space, generating major media attention
Each sighting triggered a wave of fan reactions and media coverage. People genuinely care about this man. And yet, he clearly does not care about the attention. That says a lot about his character.
Why Did David Caruso Leave Acting?
Understanding what is David Caruso doing now requires understanding why he left in the first place.
After CSI: Miami was canceled in 2012, Caruso did not receive another major acting offer he wanted to take. More importantly, after a decade playing the same role, he seemed ready for something different.
His career had already taught him a hard lesson about Hollywood. Back in 1993, he left NYPD Blue after just one season because salary negotiations failed. He had won a Golden Globe for the role and still walked away to pursue a film career. That gamble did not pay off. His films underperformed, and he spent years in professional limbo before CSI: Miami gave him a second chance.
He described that experience to Entertainment Weekly by saying he felt he had to prove himself all over again and was not going to waste the opportunity. He honored that commitment by giving ten years to CSI: Miami. When it ended, he seemed to feel his work was done.
What David Caruso Looks Like Today
If you have seen the 2025 photos, you already know the answer. What is David Caruso doing now also includes looking like a completely different person.
Gone is the neatly cropped hair. Gone are the perfectly tailored suits and the dramatic sunglasses ritual. Today, at 69 years old, he sports long, chin-length red hair and often wears glasses. His wardrobe choices lean heavily casual: tracksuits, jeans, and relaxed T-shirts.
Fans were genuinely surprised by the transformation. But honestly, this version of David Caruso looks like a man who is at peace. There is no performance here. No image management. Just someone living life on their own terms.
David Caruso’s Business Ventures Beyond Acting
What is David Caruso doing now also includes a history of entrepreneurial interests that go back further than most people realize.
Before and after his retirement, Caruso launched several business projects:
- DavidCarusoTelevision.tv and LexiconDigital.tv: Digital media ventures he founded
- Steam on Sunset: A clothing store in South Miami where he served as co-owner
- Art gallery in Westlake Village, California: His most public post-retirement pursuit
- Real estate investments: He purchased a property in Sherman Oaks in 2005 for $1.85 million, demonstrating solid financial planning
These moves paint a picture of someone who was never just an actor. David Caruso was always thinking about the next chapter. So when CSI: Miami ended, he already had a plan.
David Caruso’s Personal Life: Family and Relationships
What is David Caruso doing now personally? He keeps things very private, but here is what we know.
Caruso has been married multiple times:
- Cheri Maugans (married 1979, divorced 1984)
- Rachel Ticotin (married 1984, divorced 1987): Together they have a daughter named Greta
- Margaret Buckley (married 1996, divorced 2007)
He also had a long-term relationship with Liza Marquez, with whom he shares two children: a son named Marquez and a daughter named Paloma. Their breakup in 2007 led to a public legal dispute when Marquez filed a lawsuit against him.
As of 2025, his current romantic situation remains private. He has not confirmed any relationship publicly, which is very much in line with his overall approach to keeping life away from the cameras.
He was spotted with his children Marquez and Paloma at LAX back in 2017. By all accounts, he appears to prioritize fatherhood in his private life.
What Fans Think About David Caruso’s Disappearance
The curiosity around what is David Caruso doing now is not just nostalgia. It reflects real admiration.
CSI: Miami was a global hit. Horatio Caine’s signature move of putting on sunglasses before delivering a one-liner became a pop culture meme that still circulates online today. The show ran for ten seasons and aired in more than 50 countries. Caruso was the anchor of all of it.
When someone that famous simply vanishes, people notice. And they care. The fact that each of his rare public appearances generates massive media coverage proves just how large his cultural footprint remains even after more than a decade away.
Fans have described the 2025 photos of him carrying artwork as both strange and refreshing. Strange because he looks so different. Refreshing because he looks genuinely happy.
Could David Caruso Ever Return to Acting?
No official statements confirm or deny any acting comeback. So what is David Caruso doing now in terms of potential returns to Hollywood? Almost certainly nothing.
His retirement from acting appears complete and intentional. He has not joined any streaming project, made any cameos, or given interviews about a return. Given that he is now 69 years old and appears content with his current life, a comeback seems unlikely but never truly impossible.
Some fans hope to see him in a CSI: Vegas guest appearance or a limited series. But wishes and reality are two different things. Until Caruso says otherwise, the acting chapter looks firmly closed.
The Legacy of David Caruso
Even without a single acting credit since 2012, David Caruso’s legacy remains substantial.
He helped shape the modern procedural drama genre. NYPD Blue was groundbreaking television for its time, and CSI: Miami became one of the most-watched shows in the world during its run. His performances proved that a specific kind of calm, intense, slow-burn acting style could captivate global audiences.
He also showed that it is possible to walk away from massive success without drama. No scandals. No desperate comeback attempts. No reality TV. Just a clean exit and a new life.
That is a rare kind of courage in Hollywood.
Quick Facts: David Caruso at a Glance
- Full Name: David Stephen Caruso
- Born: January 7, 1956, in Queens, New York
- Age: 69 years old (as of 2025)
- Best Known For: NYPD Blue, CSI: Miami
- Awards: Golden Globe Award (1994) for NYPD Blue
- Net Worth: Estimated at $35 million
- Retired From Acting: 2012
- Current Career: Art dealing, gallery work
- Children: Three: Greta, Marquez, and Paloma
- Last Public Appearance: April 2025 at his Westlake, California gallery
Conclusion
So, what is David Caruso doing now? He is living life exactly how he wants to. After decades in the spotlight, he traded fame for peace. He swapped detective uniforms for casual tracksuits. He left red carpets for art galleries. And judging by the photos, he looks healthier and more relaxed than he ever did under studio lights.
What is David Caruso doing now is the story of a man who reached the top, walked away on his own terms, and chose a quieter kind of richness. That is honestly admirable.
If you grew up watching him in CSI: Miami or NYPD Blue, his story reminds you that real success is not always about staying in the game. Sometimes it is about knowing when to walk away.
Do you hope to see David Caruso back on screen someday, or do you respect his choice to step back completely? Share your thoughts in the comments.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is David Caruso doing now in 2025? David Caruso is living a quiet, private life in California. He has been involved in the art world as a gallery owner and art dealer, though his gallery reportedly closed in 2025. He makes only very rare public appearances.
2. Why did David Caruso stop acting? CSI: Miami was canceled in 2012, and Caruso chose not to pursue another acting role after that. He transitioned to the art business and has stayed retired from acting ever since.
3. How old is David Caruso now? David Caruso was born on January 7, 1956. He turned 69 years old in early 2025.
4. What is David Caruso’s net worth? His net worth is estimated at around $35 million, built through his television career, particularly CSI: Miami, where he reportedly earned $375,000 per episode at the show’s peak.
5. Does David Caruso have children? Yes. He has three children: Greta (with Rachel Ticotin), and Marquez and Paloma (with Liza Marquez).
6. Where does David Caruso live now? He reportedly lives in the Los Angeles area, specifically near the San Fernando Valley, and has been spotted in Westlake Village, California.
7. Is David Caruso married in 2025? His current relationship status is private. He has been married three times in the past and had a long-term relationship with Liza Marquez but has not confirmed any current partner publicly.
8. Will David Caruso return to CSI? There is no official confirmation of any return to acting. Based on his pattern of behavior since 2012, a comeback appears unlikely, though fans continue to hope.
9. What did David Caruso do after CSI: Miami ended? He opened an art gallery in Westlake Village, California, pursued business ventures, and largely retreated from public life. He has also made a small number of rare public appearances.
10. What does David Caruso look like now? He looks very different from his TV days. He now sports long, chin-length red hair, wears glasses, and dresses casually. Photos from April 2025 show him looking relaxed and unrecognizable to many fans.
Author Bio
Written by Jamie Holloway Jamie Holloway is an entertainment journalist and pop culture writer with over eight years of experience covering celebrity news, television history, and Hollywood trends. Jamie specializes in long-form celebrity profiles and “where are they now” features that dig beyond headlines to tell the full human story. When not writing, Jamie enjoys classic crime dramas, which explains the deep appreciation for David Caruso’s body of work.
Also read aresgodofwar.co.uk
Email: johanharwen314@gmail.com
Author Name: Johan Harwen
