Film News: Legendary Chicago Actor Dennis Farina Passes Away at 69

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CHICAGO – Former Chicago police officer turned notable character actor, Dennis Farina has passed away at the age of 69, as confirmed by his publicist today to Indiewire. The actor will probably be most remember for a stint on “Law & Order” but he had a notable film career, working all the way to the end and doing great work in just the last few years.

Born in Chicago, Dennis Farina served with the Chicago P.D. for almost two decades before breaking into film by first serving as a consultant to Michael Mann before moving in front of the camera for the director’s “Thief.” He would also appear in “Crime Story” and “Miami Vice” before a decades-long career of notable character roles in films like “Midnight Run,” “Manhunter,” “Get Shorty,” “Saving Private Ryan,” “Out of Sight,” and many more.

Farina had something of a comeback recently, getting a lead role in the Chicago-set “The Last Rites of Joe May” and appearing on FOX’s “New Girl” and HBO’s “Luck.”

The cause of death is not yet known. We send our deep condolences to the friends and family of this Chicago legend.

Read Patrick McDonald’s 2011 Interview with Dennis Farina

By BRIAN TALLERICO Content Director HollywoodChicago.com brian@hollywoodchicago.com