Dennis Farina

GaK1...9uoj

12 Feb 2024

Dennis Farina

Dennis Farina, born Donaldo Gugliermo Farina on February 29, 1944, and passing away on July 22, 2013, was an American actor renowned for his work on both stage and screen. Prior to embarking on his acting career, Farina served as a detective in the Chicago Police Department, lending authenticity to his portrayals of law enforcement figures on screen.
Throughout his career, Farina often found himself typecast in roles as a mobster or police officer, showcasing his versatility as an actor. Some of his most memorable roles include FBI Agent Jack Crawford in "Manhunter," mobster Jimmy Serrano in the comedy "Midnight Run," Ray "Bones" Barboni in "Get Shorty," Cousin Avi in "Snatch," and Walt Miller in the television series "New Girl."

Farina made a significant impact on television as well, starring as Lieutenant Mike Torello in the acclaimed series "Crime Story" and portraying NYPD Detective Joe Fontana on "Law & Order." From 2008 to 2010, he served as the host and narrator of the television program "Unsolved Mysteries" on Spike TV, adding his distinctive voice and presence to the show.
His final major television role came in HBO's "Luck," which premiered on January 29, 2012, showcasing Farina's enduring talent and legacy in the entertainment industry. Throughout his career, Dennis Farina left an indelible mark with his memorable performances and commanding presence on both the big and small screens.

Dennis Farina was born on a Leap Day, February 29, 1944, in Chicago's Old Town neighborhood. He was the fourth son and youngest of the seven children born to Joseph and Yolanda Farina. Joseph, originally from Villalba, Sicily, worked as a doctor in the Chicago area, while Yolanda was a homemaker. The Farina family lived in a North Avenue home in Old Town, a neighborhood characterized by its working-class atmosphere and diverse ethnic makeup, with Italians and Germans being the predominant ethnic groups.

Prior to pursuing a career in acting, Farina served in the United States Army for three years during the Vietnam Era. Following his military service, he joined the Chicago Police Department, where he served for 18 years from 1967 to 1985. During his time on the force, Farina rose through the ranks from patrolman to detective, showcasing his dedication to public service and law enforcement.

In 1982, while still serving as a detective, Dennis Farina made his stage debut in the Steppenwolf Theater Company's production of "A Prayer for My Daughter," directed by John Malkovich. Despite mixed reviews from Chicago Tribune critic Richard Christianson, who criticized the production overall, Farina's performance, along with those of his fellow actors, was noted to have "moments that were riveting."
The following year, in 1983, Farina received positive acclaim for his performance in David Rabe's "Streamers." Christianson praised Farina's portrayal as "beautiful" and remarked that he was evolving into a fine actor. Continuing his theater involvement, Farina appeared as Nick in a 1984 Chicago production of William Saroyan's "The Time of Your Life," alongside Ted Levine, who later co-starred with him in "Crime Story."

Dennis Farina had a multifaceted career that spanned both the law enforcement world and the entertainment industry. Before transitioning into acting, he served as a detective in the Chicago Police Department for 18 years, from 1967 to 1985. During this time, he also worked as a police consultant for director Michael Mann, which led to his involvement in several film and television projects.
Farina's acting career began with small roles in films like "Thief" (1981), directed by Michael Mann, and "Code of Silence" (1985). However, it was his collaboration with Mann on the television series "Crime Story" (1986–1988) that propelled him to prominence. In this series, Farina starred as Lieutenant Mike Torello, a Chicago police officer assigned to the U.S. Justice Department.

Throughout his career, Farina became known for his portrayal of tough, no-nonsense characters, often in law enforcement or organized crime roles. He appeared in numerous films, including "Midnight Run" (1988), "Get Shorty" (1995), "Out of Sight" (1998), and "Snatch" (2000), among others. His performances earned him critical acclaim and an American Comedy Award for his role in "Get Shorty."
Farina also had a successful television career, with notable roles in "Law & Order" (2004–2006) as Detective Joe Fontana, "In-Laws" (2002–2003), and "Luck" (2012). Additionally, he hosted and narrated the television program "Unsolved Mysteries" on Spike TV from 2008 to 2010, following in the footsteps of Robert Stack.
His diverse acting career also included voice work in animated series like "Justice League Unlimited" and "The Looney Tunes Show." Farina's final film role was in the 2014 release "Lucky Stiff," a musical comedy dedicated to his memory.
Dennis Farina's contributions to film and television left a lasting legacy, showcasing his talent and versatility as an actor across various genres and mediums.

Dennis Farina's personal life included a marriage to Patricia Farina from 1970 until their divorce in 1980. Together, they had three sons: Dennis Jr., Michael, and Joseph, the latter of whom also pursued a career in acting. Farina was also blessed with grandchildren, including two granddaughters, Brianna and Olivia, and four grandsons, Michael, Tyler, Matthew, and Eric.
Farina was known to be a devoted fan of the Chicago Cubs baseball team, a passion he shared with many fellow Chicagoans. In 1988, he participated in a revival of the successful stage play "Bleacher Bums," where he played the role of a Cubs fan. The play was written by and starred fellow Chicago actors Joe Mantegna and Dennis Franz.

In May 2008, Farina made headlines when he was arrested for carrying a loaded .22-caliber pistol through security at Los Angeles International Airport. He was taken into custody by the Los Angeles Police Department and initially faced charges of carrying a concealed weapon. Subsequently, the charges were upgraded to a felony when the weapon was found to be unregistered. Farina maintained that he had forgotten the firearm was in his briefcase and had no intention of taking it on a plane. After reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors, he pleaded no contest and was sentenced to two years' probation in July 2008.