Born in Los Angeles as William Brochtrup Jr., a third-generation Californian, he was raised in Tacoma, Washington, and attended New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. Since making his professional debut a decade ago in the television series Hot Pursuit, Brochtrup has worked continuously in theater, film and television.

Bill Brochtrup got his big career break when he was cast for two episodes on "NYPD Blue" during the show's second season. His portrayal of Irvin, the extremely efficient police administrative aide, has endeared him to viewers as well as to the show's producers.

He has guest-starred on series such as Dharma & Greg, Picket Fences and Murder, She Wrote. His feature film credits include: Ravenous; Not Again; the critically acclaimed 'mockumentary,' Man of the Year; and the futuristic Space Marines.

Brochtrup, who once backpacked across Europe, enjoys traveling to exotic places, so much so that he spent the 4th of July with U.S. troops in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates on a USO "meet and greet" tour. He tours the nation for a variety of charitable organizations, including Rock the Vote and AIDS Walks. He lives in Tacoma, WA.

During Brochtrup's 1999 and 2000 hiatus from "NYPD Blue," he starred in and received rave notices for his performance in the off-Broadway production of "Snakebit," at New York's Century Theatre and the Coast Playhouse in West Hollywood. His previous stage credits include D.H. Lawrence's "The Fox," for which he won a DramaLogue Award, and "Raft of the Medusa."