Richard Anthony “Dick” Wolf is an American television producer, specializing in crime dramas such as Miami Vice, the Law & Order franchise and Chicago franchise.

Dick Wolf Early life & Career

Head shot image of Dick Wolf

Dick Wolf was born December 20, 1946. Wolf attended Phillips Academy with George W. Bush, and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 1969. He originally worked in advertising as a copywriter at Benton & Bowles while writing screenplays in hopes to break into the film industry.

He moved to Los Angeles a few years after meeting struggling screenwriter Oliver Stone, and had three of his screenplays produced. One of these, Masquerade, starring Rob Lowe, was well received. He also held a position as a staff writer on the television series Hill Street Blues, where he received his first Emmy nomination. In 2012 alone, Wolf earned over $70 million.

How Dick Wolf Created Chicago Franchise

Hank with the cast of his franchise

Throughout his career he has won several awards including an Emmy Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Wolf has also authored three books. The first, Law & Order: Crime Scenes is a nonfiction companion to the Law & Order series. The Intercept and The Execution are the first volumes in a new thriller series with N.Y.P.D. special agent Jeremy Fisk.

From Hill Street Blues, Dick Wolf moved to the show Miami Vice, where he was supervising producer. Miami Vice brought great success to Wolf, but nothing like that of his series Law & Order. Law & Order has been nominated for the most consecutive Emmy Awards of any show in history. Wolf is now the creator and executive producer of Law & Order, Law & Order: Special Victims Unity, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, and Law & Order: UK. He is also the creator and executive producer of the real-life case chronicle show Crime & Punishment.

Dick Wolf Net worth

Dick Wolf smiling

Wolf also produced the short documentary Twin Towers in 2003, about two brothers that lost their lives on September 11, 2001. In addition, he has won many achievement awards for his work, from the Banff Television Festival, NATPE, Anti-Defamation League, Entertainment Industries Council, to New York Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

He has also been awarded with Publicist’s Guild of America, and an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America. On March 29, 2009 Dick Wolf received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. As of 2019, Dick Wolf has an estimated net worth of $550 million.