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Dennis FarinaAmerican film and television actor
Date of Birth: 29.02.1944
Country:  USA |
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Biography of Dennis Farina
Dennis Farina (Dennis Farina, 29.02.1944) is an American film and television actor. He is known for his distinctive character portraying gangsters or police officers. Farina was born in Chicago, Illinois, to an Italian-American family. His mother, Yolanda, was a homemaker, and his father, Joseph Farina, was a Sicilian doctor. He grew up in a large family with three brothers and three sisters.
Early Life and Career
For eighteen years, Farina worked as a police officer in Chicago before pursuing his acting career. He often recalled that his colleagues on the force nicknamed him "The Great Wounder" due to his poor shooting skills. Farina entered show business thanks to director Michael Mann, who hired him as a police consultant on his early projects. It was during this time that Farina became interested in acting, and in 1981, Mann invited him to a small role in the film "Thief."
Afterwards, Farina took on episodic roles in local theater productions until Mann cast him in the series "Crime Story." He also appeared in another Mann series, "Miami Vice," where Farina played gangster Albert Lombard. One of Farina's most famous roles was Jimmy Serrano, the leader of a criminal organization in the film "Midnight Run."
Notable Works
Other notable works by Farina include "Manhunter," "Striking Distance," "Another Stakeout," "Get Shorty," "Saving Private Ryan," "Little Big League," "Snatch," "The Mod Squad," and "Out of Sight." He starred alongside Bette Midler in the romantic comedy "That Old Feeling." Farina's comedic roles were particularly well-received, earning him the American Comedy Award for his portrayal of gangster Ray Barboni in "Get Shorty." He also played the lead role in the comedy series "In-Laws."
In 2005, Farina provided the voice for a character in the animated series "Justice League Unlimited." From 2004 to 2006, he played one of the main roles, Detective Joe Fontana, in the well-known detective series "Law & Order" on NBC.
Personal Life and Legacy
Farina was the father of three children, Dennis, Michael, and Joseph, and the grandfather of five grandchildren. His youngest son, Joseph, also became an actor. Farina tragically passed away on July 22, 2013, at the age of 69, due to a pulmonary artery thromboembolism at a hospital in Scottsdale, Arizona.
