Actor Dennis Farina, best known for his role on the NBC series “Law & Order,” died Monday (July 22) in Scottsdale, Arizona, from a blood clot in his lung, his publicist confirmed to MTV News. He was 69.
He is survived by three sons from his marriage to ex-wife Patricia Farina. Farina was born in Chicago and worked for 18 years as a cop in the Windy City before pursuing an acting career in his late thirties. The consummate character actor, Farina appeared on screens both big and small, with roles in “Get Shorty,” “Snatch,” “Saving Private Ryan,” “Crime Story” and “Miami Vice.” But it’s his two-year turn as Detective Joe Fontana on the Dick Wolf-produced procedural for which he will likely be best remembered.
Farina most recently appeared on HBO’s “Luck” as Gus Demitriou and Fox’s “New Girl” as Walt Miller, the father of slacker barkeep character Nick Miller (played by Jake Johnson). While talking with MTV News earlier this year, Johnson had only kind words for the man who played his on-screen dad.
“Getting him back was awesome,” Johnson enthused about Farina’s return for flashbacks in “The Virgins” episode. “I think he’s the best.”
Upon hearing the news of Farina’s death Monday, Johnson tweeted: “RIP Dennis Farina. What a tremendous loss.”
Farina has two yet-to-be-released films: “Authors Anonymous” and “Lucky Stiff” (which is currently listed as filming).
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