No Longer on the Bel-Air Beat

Dennis Franz, who stars as Det. Andy Sipowicz in the ABC series “NYPD Blue,” and his wife, Joanie, have put their Bel-Air home of 12 years on the market for about $1.3 million.

The Emmy-winning actor, 54, also co-starred in the movie “City of Angels” (1998) and “Die Hard 2” (1990). He has been an “NYPD Blue” regular since it debuted in 1993. He was in “Hill Street Blues” (1980-87) during its final two seasons.

The Franzes decided to sell the four-bedroom house, built in 1939, because they are spending more time in their Montecito home. The couple has leased a pied-a-terre in Century City.

Their Bel-Air home is English country and has a family room, den, office, four baths, a detached guest house, pool and spa.

Diane King of Diane King Properties in Santa Monica has the listing.

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Hip-hop mogul Russell Simmons, chairman and co-founder of Def Jam Records, has sold his Beverly Hills home for $2.2 million.

Simmons, 41, retained his Def Jam title in February, when Seagram Co. concluded an agreement to pay about $100 million for the remaining 40% of the company. Seagram acquired 60% of Def Jam through its acquisition of PolyGram in December. Def Jam is home to rap stars Foxy Brown, DMX, Jay-Z and Redman.

Simmons, who had owned his Beverly Hills house since January 1997, moved back to his native New York in the fall, when he paid $2 million for a 4,000-square-foot apartment owned by Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards, sources have said. Simmons married fashion model Kimora Lee, 23, in December.

Built in 1956, the Beverly Hills home has four bedrooms, including a master suite with a steam room and a sauna, in 5,000 square feet. The home has city views, a pool and a spa.

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Paul Doucette, drummer with the Florida-based rock band Matchbox 20, has purchased a Hollywood Hills home for $565,000.

Built in 1925, the four-bedroom, 2,500-square-foot house was recently refurbished. The Spanish-style house has a courtyard and city views.

Doucette, 26, was one of the founding members of Matchbox 20, whose “Yourself or Someone Like You” album has sold more than 5 million copies. Before Matchbox 20, Doucette was in the band Tabitha’s Secret.

Doucette bought the house from David Musso of Prudential-John Aaroe & Associates at the Pacific Design Center. Musso was represented by William Bell of the same office.

Hot Property is published Thursdays in SoCal Living and Sundays in Real Estate. Ruth Ryon can be reached by e-mail at ruth.ryon@latimes.com.