Dennis Farina, a TV (Law and Order) and film actor best remembered for his roles in Get Shorty and Midnight Run, died July 22 in Scottsdale, Ariz., the victim of a blood clot in his lungs.
Though better known as a mobster on screen, the actor born in Chicago was a police officer in his hometown between 1967 and 1985. He became a police consultant for director Michael Mann, and his interest in acting led to Mann giving him a small role in 1981’s Thief.
He’s survived by sons Dennis Jr., Michael, and Joseph.
This article appears in Jul 17-23, 2013.