This morning we lost veteran character actor and former real-life Chicago policeman Dennis Farina. Best known for his work in a number of tv shows, especially playing cops, like Det. Joe Fontana on Law and Order, Farina was one of those “that guy” actors who showed up everywhere. He passed away in Scottsdale, AZ from a blod clot that got caught in his lungs. He was 69.
Farina played fun, important roles in some of my favorite films and tv shows. I already mentioned Law and Order, but Farina also found in way into a couple of my favorite film adaptations of Elmore Leonard novels, Get Shorty and Out of Sight. He was also a mob boss in Midnight Run and various other tough guys and wise guys– in most roles Farina played one side of the law or the other. You may remember him in Get Shorty as “the guy who tried to steal John Travolta’s leather jacket.” Farina also had a part in Saving Private Ryan and was a leading member of the ensemble cast of Snatch. He’d also shown up recently in a couple of episodes of New Girl as Nick’s (dead) father.
For geeks, it should be noted that Farina played JSA member Wildcat in Justice League: Unlimited, Season 1, Ep 14 “The Cat and the Canary.” (click here to watch it now on Netflix Instant Watch) Unlike R. Lee Ermey, who had also played Wildcat on Batman: The Brave and the Bold where he was a one-note caricature, Farina brought a real heart and depth to the life of an aging hero trying to go for a final bout of glory. Wildcat appeared in crowd shots in several later JL:U episodes, though we never heard Farina’s voice again. But to me I always imagined him as Farina portrayed him.
Thank you for sharing your talent with us. We hope you’re making one hell of a cops and robbers movie up there wherever you are.
PS – I’d point you to other instances of Farina’s work on Netflix, but unfortunately Law and Order only goes through Season 8, and I can’t, in good conscience, suggest you watch Stealing Harvard with Jason Lee and Tom Green just for a little bit of Farina.