Transitioning to film, Caruso starred in Jade and Kiss of Death, but neither achieved success, leaving his career stalled. For years, he struggled to regain momentum, his earlier gamble appearing to have cost him everything.

Then came his second act. In 2002, Caruso landed the role of Lieutenant Horatio Caine in CSI: Miami. His calm authority, trademark sunglasses, and iconic one-liners turned the series into a global hit and made him a pop culture fixture.