Dennis Farina Biography 

American actor Dennis Farina is one of the many character actors often used by Hollywood to portray cops or mobsters. To that end, he is best known for his work with Miami Vice, Midnight Run, and Law & Order.

Dennis Farina was born February 29, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois. His parents were Yolanda Farina and Joseph Farina, a homemaker and doctor respectively. Both his parents are of Italian American descent. Farina is one of seven siblings.

Before Farina even considered show business, he was employed with the Chicago Police Department as a police officer. He joined the force in 1967, and he was there until 1985. Even with his acting gigs beginning to accumulate around this time, he still spent some time as a private detective before turning to acting full-time.

Utilizing his knowledge as a police officer to assist director Michael Mann on his various films, Farina soon found himself interested in acting. Mann helped Farina out by casting him in 1981’s Thief. Playing Carl, it was his debut role. James Caan, Tuesday Weld, Willie Nelson, and James Belushi starred.

After roughly five years of bit parts, he was cast as the lead in 1986’s Crime Story. He shared the screen with Anthony John Denison, Bill Smitrovich, and Bill Campbell. The film warranted a television series of the same name, which debuted in 1986 and ran successfully until 1988.

Farina increased his exposure in 1988 with Midnight Run opposite Robert De Niro. He was also introduced to a more commercial crowd when he appeared sporadically on Miami Vice. He shared the screen with Don Johnson and Philip Michael Thomas from 1984 to 1989.

Solidified as the go-to actor for hard-edged cops or mobsters, Farina appeared in 1993’s Striking Distance with Bruce Willis and Sarah Jessica Parker. He was also one of an all-star cast in Get Shorty opposite John Travolta, Gene Hackman, Rene Russo, and Danny DeVito.

From 2002 to 2003, he tried his hand at pure comedy with the television series In-Laws. Jean Smart, Elon Gold, and Bonnie Somerville costarred, but the series lacked ratings, and it was axed after one season.

2004 to 2006 provided more TV work, but this time around it was on the popular program Law & Order. Farina received praise from critics and audiences for his time with the show, but he still made the decision to leave in mid-2006.

Most recently, he showed up in the 2008 comedy What Happens in Vegas with Cameron Diaz, Ashton Kutcher, Lake Bell, and Treat Williams.

Rumors suggest that Farina may take over as host of Unsolved Mysteries beginning in late 2008. If given the green light, he will take the torch from longtime former host Robert Stack.

Outside of acting, Farina jumped into the headlines on May 11, 2008 when he attempted to make it through airport security with a loaded gun. The weapon was found to be unregistered, and the charges quickly entered the arena of a felony offense.

In his personal life, Farina married Patricia Farina in 1970. They were together until 1980, at which time they got divorced. During their ten years together, however, they had three children.