After he left NYPD Blue, he tried to venture out into acting in films but was not too successful. He appeared in the films Movies like Jade (1995) and Kiss of Death (1995), both of which did not do much in terms of commercial success.
In 2002, Caruso made a big comeback in CSI: Miami as Horatio Caine. The show was a major hit, and his character was beloved for his one-liners and cool demeanor. CSI: Miami ran for ten seasons and helped Carus solidify his place in television history.
However, when the actor was spotted recently, people were surprised at his appearance. Of course, the actor has aged since his days in Hollywood. He stepped away from acting after he was done with CSI: Miami, which might have led to a more relaxed lifestyle.
There have been no reports about health issues the actor might be facing. Hence, the only thing that could have contributed to his change in appearance could be naturally aging, as it has been a while since most people saw him on television.