Former policeman-turned-actor Dennis Farina dies at 69

[Locutus]

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Dennis Farina, the former Chicago cop turned film and TV actor best known for his role as wise-cracking detective Joe Fontana on the hit NBC police drama "Law & Order," died in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Monday, his publicist said. He was 69.

Farina, who parlayed his experience as a police officer, Chicago-accented baritone and straight talking demeanour into a series of tough-guy roles in Hollywood, died after suffering a blood clot in his lung, his publicist Lori De Waal said.

"I was stunned and saddened to hear about Dennis' unexpected passing this morning," D i c k Wolf, executive producer of "Law & Order," said in a written statement.

"The 'Law & Order' family extends sympathy and condolences to his family. He was a great guy."
The Chicago-born Farina earned his first credited role in a bit part in the 1981 Michael Mann film "Thief" and would go on to play mobsters Jimmy Serrano in 1988 comedy "Midnight Run" and Ray "Bones" Barboni in 1995 comedy "Get Shorty."


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[Mowich]

Fare thee well, Dennis..........thanks for the memories. RIP

 

[spaminator]

 

[Goober]

Always enjoyed the roles he played. Never knew he was a former Police Officer.
RIP

 

[B00Mer]

R.I.P. a shining star is lost, while a new one is born..

 

[L Gilbert]

Always enjoyed the roles he played. Never knew he was a former Police Officer.
RIP

Ditto. Seemed to have been able to play a variety of roles from cops to criminals to comedies. Dennis Farina - IMDb
Our sympathies to his family, friends, and fans.

 

[damngrumpy]

I liked him and that is the nicest thing one can say about someone who has passed.
We often hear about what a wonderful actor or humanitarian someone is but to be
able to simply say "I liked him" in reference to his work and his public manner raally
demonstrates the kind of person he was. RIP