Actor Dennis Farina, who died in 2010, was a star of American cinema and television. He spent three years in the Army and another eighteen with the Chicago Police Department before deciding to pursue a career in entertainment.
Farina, who is now widely regarded as one of the most talented character performers ever, came from a working-class, multiethnic neighborhood. He enlisted in the US Army after finishing high school and spent the next three years serving his country in Vietnam.
Dennis Farina Cause of Death
Actor Dennis Farina, famed for his portrayal as a no-nonsense investigator on the NBC crime drama “Law & Order,” passed away earlier this week from lung cancer, his doctor confirmed on Wednesday.
A blood clot claimed the life of the 69-year-old former Chicago police officer who became famous for portraying criminals and law enforcement officers on movies and television.
The actor experienced a recurrence of cancer that was first detected 13 years ago, according to his cardiologist Dr. Marc A. Kates.
Unfortunately, the cancer that was being treated in him has returned during the past few months. The actor’s publicist published a statement saying that despite treatment, Mr. Farina unexpectedly and suddenly passed away over the weekend due to a blood clot in his lung.
Three kids, six grandchildren, and Marianne Cahill, Farina’s companion of 35 years, are among those who will miss him.
The Chicago-born actor started his cinematic career in 1981 in the Michael Mann movie “Thief” and went on to play mobsters in the 1988 comedy action-adventure “Midnight Run,” with Robert De Niro and Charles Grodin, and in the 1995 gangster satire “Get Shorty,” with John Travolta and Gene Hackman.
On NBC’s crime drama “Crime Story,” which he starred in from 1986 to 1988, he played Lieutenant Mike Torello, the chief of the Chicago Police Department’s organized crime branch.
His character, Joe Fontana, on “Law & Order,” which he starred in from 2004 to 2006, was based on his own experiences as a Chicago police officer who moved to New York City.
Last seen as the lead alongside Dustin Hoffman in the HBO mob and horse-racing thriller “Luck,” Farina’s acting career came to an end there. After the first season, the critically praised show was discontinued because three horses died on set.
Major Works Done by Dennis Farina
Dennis Farina’s performance as Lt. Mike Torello on ‘Crime Story’ (1986-1988) is often regarded as the actor’s best hour on television. It was a police drama on NBC that changed the way stories were told. Instead of the typical episode format of the 1980s, it featured a continuous plot across the whole season.
His portrayal as Ray “Bones” Barboni in the 1995 criminal comedy ‘Get Shorty’ is widely regarded as one of his finest. His character, a Miami-based criminal, and Chili Palmer’s (John Travolta), a loan shark, get into it over a stolen coat.
Get Shorty was nominated for a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy because of its critical and economic success. In 1996, Farina was recognized as the Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture by the American Comedy Awards.
Was Dennis Farina Married?
In 1970, Dennis Farina wed a woman called Patricia, and the two of them went on to have three children: Dennis Jr. Michael, Tyler, Matthew, and Eric were his grandchildren, while Brianna and Olivia were his granddaughters.
Joseph has taken up acting and producing in Hollywood as his famous father did. After being married for ten years, Farina and Patricia split up in 1980. He mostly spent his senior years in Chicago and Scottsdale, Arizona, with his long-term partner Marianne Cahill.
After passing through security at Los Angeles International Airport on May 11, 2008, with a loaded.22-caliber handgun, Farina was apprehended. After being moved to the Pacific Division of the Los Angeles Police Department, he was arrested on suspicion of concealing a firearm.
When authorities discovered that the firearm wasn’t registered, the bond was increased from $25,000 to $35,000.
He insisted that he didn’t mean to bring the pistol on the plane, but that he just forgot it was in his briefcase. At last, he reached a plea bargain with the government. On July 17, 2008, Farina entered a plea of no contest and was sentenced to two years of probation.
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