Lt. Provenza
| Louie Provenza | |
|---|---|
| First appearance | "Pilot" (The Closer) June 13, 2005 |
| Created by | James Duff |
| Portrayed by | G. W. Bailey |
| Information | |
| Gender | Male |
| Occupation | LAPD Detective Lieutenant |
| Family | Liz Provenza (first ex-wife) Heather Provenza (second and fourth ex-wife) Sharon Provenza (third ex-wife) Patrice Parry (sixth wife) |
| Children | 3 unnamed sons, 2 unnamed step-daughters 6 unnamed grandchildren |
Detective Lieutenant Louie Provenza is a fictional character from TNT's television crime drama franchise The Closer/Major Crimes. He appeared on all seven seasons of The Closer and all six seasons of Major Crimes. The character was created by James Duff, and is portrayed by G. W. Bailey. Generally referred to as "Provenza", the character's first name was kept secret until his former partner, George Andrews, was heard to use it for the first time in the penultimate episode of the fifth season. It is said that only captains and above are allowed to address him by his first name and that even his own grandchildren call him "Lieutenant". He is also the only member of his academy class still on active duty with the rest having retired by the beginning of season 2 of Major Crimes.
Provenza is a Lieutenant II on the Los Angeles Police Department. A veteran of the Robbery/Homicide unit, he is selected to join the Priority Homicide Division. Initially, Provenza has no greater love for Deputy Chief Brenda Leigh Johnson than any of the rest of the unit, but over time he develops a paternal affection for her. The same becomes true when Captain Sharon Raydor takes over the Major Crimes Division. Initially he dislikes Captain Raydor's policy changes but develops a deep respect for her quickly.
A seasoned veteran of the Robbery/Homicide unit, Provenza is selected to join the elite Priority Homicide Squad in the beginning of the series. Provenza has served in the LAPD for over thirty years. In 2013 it is revealed that he is the last member of his LAPD Academy class who is still serving on the department. Provenza reveals that he was married four times (twice to the same woman), and in season five he falls in love with another woman, much to his own surprise. It doesn't work out, but in Major Crimes season 3 he meets a woman named Patrice who can match wits with him and with whom he is in a relationship. They later get engaged. In the "Risk Assessment" of Major Crimes, Provenza reveals that his motivation for becoming a police officer is he wanted to help people but hates fire, preferring getting shot to fire. He also states that he enjoys bossing people around as another reason.
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