DENNIS FARINA, the former Chicago cop who turned actor to star as a TV cop on Law & Order, has died.
Farina passed away yesterday after suffering a blood clot in his lung, according to his publicist. He was 69.
Farina’s many films include Saving Private Ryan, (1998), Out Of Sight (1998), Midnight Run (1988), Manhunter (1986), and his breakout and perhaps most beloved film, Get Shorty (1995), a comedic romp where he played a Miami mob boss.
He recently completed shooting a comedy film, Lucky Stiff.
Among his numerous TV roles was Detective Joe Fontana on Law & Order during the 2004-06 seasons, replacing longtime cast member Jerry Orbach in the ensemble.
Law & Order executive producer Dick Wolf said he was “stunned and saddened to hear about Dennis’ unexpected passing this morning”, adding:
The Law & Order family extends sympathy and condolences to his family.
Also on TV, Farina was a regular in the star-studded though short-lived 2011-12 HBO horse-track drama, Luck.
Last season, he guest-starred on the Fox comedy New Girl. One of the sitcom’s stars, Jake Johnson, said: “He is someone I will surely miss. I looked up to him personally and professionally. … We all will miss out.”
Born Feb. 29, 1944, Farina served with the Chicago Police Department for 18 years, both as a uniformed officer (he was there for the 1968 Chicago riots) and a burglary detective, before he found his way into acting as he neared his forties.
Farina is survived by three sons, six grandchildren and his longtime partner, Marianne Cahill.
