Biographie

Has a Puerto Rican mother and a Surinamese father of Dutch descent.

Turned down the offer to play a character named Flinn on New York Police Blues (1993). The character in question was later renamed Detective John Kelly, played by David Caruso. Ironically, after Caruso's departure from the series in 1994, Smits accepted the role of Detective Bobby Simone (Detective Kelly's successor).

Jimmy is the name on his birth certificate and it is not short for James.

Received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre from Brooklyn College (1980) and his Master of Fine Arts degree from Cornell University (1982).

Father of a daughter, Taina Smits (born 1973), and a son, Joaquin Smits (born 1983) with ex-wife, Barbara Smits. Barbara Smits died on April 16, 2010.

"They'd say, 'Explain this again: If you finish this degree, you'll be able to teach high-school drama?'" -- Former "NYPD Blue" on his parents' reaction after he told them he wanted to be an actor - USA Weekend (August 1999)

Celebrity hits like a bomb. So you have to find what makes you stable in the storm. Then, no matter what's happening around you, no matter what the hype or the publicity, you can still manage to make leaps in your work as an artist.

It's less about the physical training, in the end, than it is about the mental preparation: boxing is a chess game. You have to be skilled enough and have trained hard enough to know how many different ways you can counterattack in any situation, at any moment.

There are no right and wrong ways to work in this business, but there are some basic common-sense practices. Work very, very hard and always be prepared; never give up; and once you get the job, give them more than they ever expected: - Shine!

I like the gypsy aspect of this business.