Dennis Farina Passes
- Dennis Farina had the sort of Chicago neighborhood face you’d find behind the tap at a corner tavern, standing at first base on a softball diamond or lugging your new icebox up the stairs. As he said to a Tribune reporter nearly 20 years ago while sitting high above the city of his birth, riding the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel: “I spend all day walking around this city. I always come back here. This is where I’m comfortable.”
The actor — famous for his work in such films as “Get Shorty,” “Saving Private Ryan” and “Midnight Run,” and in television shows such as “Crime Story” and “Law & Order” — died suddenly Monday morning in Scottsdale, Ariz., after suffering a blood clot in his lung. He was 69.
Quite a few movies and shows we enjoyed over the years. RIP Dennis.
Labels: general
posted by SCC at 12:03 AM
52 Comments:
God bless Dennis Farina and his loved ones.
REST IN PEACE DENNIS
Back in 1986 my partner and I caught an armed carjacker at Madison and Halsted. Dennis and a film crew drove up, they were filming Crime Story. He shook our hands and said good job office. Great man he never forget where he came from. R.I.P Dennis.
An Old Retired A/4/Dick
never forgot the liitle guy from where he came
He has family still on the job. Condolences to them, as well.
I had a number of drinks with Dennis over the years, Mike's on webster, fundraisers and parties. He was already a star but remained a funny, honest, humble guy with a lot of class. A true gentleman. May he rest with the lord.
A few years before I got on this job I had a job as a concierge at a hotel. Dennis Farina was shooting a movie and staying in my hotel along with all of the other actors. I had the opportunity to assist Mr Farina with some things and he was the nicest guy in the world. I was a lowly college student working at a hotel but he treated me with a ton of respect and finished with a sincere thank you that I knew he meant. The other actors I had to deal with where complete dicks (Tim Allen, DJ Qualls...) Dennis Farina seemed like a great guy who never let Hollywood get to him.
he did alot of work for the memorial foundation and the hundred club. always grounded, never let the hollywood life get to his head. RIP Office, youre already missed.
My Grandfather, Tom McKay always spoke highly of him. R.I.P Dennis. Thanx for the memories.
"Sidney relax have a cream soda this will all be over in a few minutes ."
RIP Dennis. A classy dude who represented the badge and the city well.
I met Dennis when he was with the old CIU...My dear friend, John Auriemma, was the Commander and Jim O'Grady was Supt. Dennis was a great, humble, friendly guy. We sat at the same wedding reception table when the Commander's daughter was married. Dennis git his start in the movie Thief starring James Caan and Jim Belushi. Neither Dennis, nor Belushi ever forgot from whence they came.
This toll thinks: He acted out a lot of great performances. I first noticed him in Code of Silence, kind of a corny movie. When somone says to me what is a Chicago accent, I always refer them to Dennis Farina. He talks like real, native Chicagoan. There is something about his inflection that always got my attention. RIP and prayers to his family. What an entertaining man.
Always a giver...
Worked on behalf of the CPD Memorial Foundation and 100 Club.
(Dennis Franz and Tom Dreesen are like contributors)
Farina once shot a commercial at Mikes on Webster.
When done, Mike asked the crew to return it to it original state.
They had a hard time replacing the dust.
Rest In Peace brother Dennis Farina.
Met him once at Mike's after he made Code of Silence. He seemed genuinely happy to be back there with the old crew.
Rest in peace office and fellow I/F.
Most people knew Dennis as a wonderful character actor but he was also a terrific cop over his 18 years. He was in the old 20th District before he made detective and worked with a crew of other coppers who were legendary to those of us who came on in the very early 70's. Dennis always had time to help a young copper out and was never arrogant or demeaning. As has been said over and over, even when he made it "big" he never forgot his roots. May he rest in peace ...
He/his family has requested that in lieu of flowers, that donations be made to the 100 Club. SCC, for those who don't read the comments, [such as mine] maybe you could do a little update on your original post so more people would be aware of his wishes?
Went to high school with Dennis, he was a senior and I a freshman. Years later I stopped a speeding car on the infamous Western Ave bridge over Belmont. As I approached the vehicle I suspected it belonged to an off duty copper. Back then if you expected a "courtesy" you would hop of your vehicle and ID yourself, this driver didn't. As I approached the drivers window I politely inquired "what the fuck...you got a fucking broken leg or something? As the off duty copper turned his face to me I see it's Dennis and he's laughing hysterically. He points to a rather large cast on his leg and says "yeah I got a fucking broken leg or something".
RIP Dennis you were always a class act.
I will miss Dennis Farina. I always liked him as an actor.
Met him at Capt. Farrell's party. Good guy. Down to earth.
When people ask me why I don't believe in God it's times like these when a guy like Farina passes and were still stuck with jag offs like Jackson, Sharpton, phleger, Daley, Madigan, GatorBradley, Monique Davis, Rahm Emmanuel, Quinn, the inhabitants of 003 and 007, that I refer to.
RIP Dennis
God bless you Dennis
A/4 GA RTP
fI worked special employment w/Dennis many times at Cabrini. He was in need of money, going through a divorce and taking acting lessons. One of the really good guys. Never forgot his roots and he was a damn good copper. Worked old SIU for years. Old A/5 retired Dick.
J.S.Smith
He worked in 013 and used to hassle Joey the clown and his crew. Can't remember the clown's driver name but constantly busted his balls.
Showed up at John Farrel's party. class act funny as hell.
is this moron number 1, put moron number 2 on the phone
Midnight Run
RIP Dennis
"Is this moron number one? Lemme talk to moron number two". Classic and so Chicago-esque. RIP
In what districts did he work?
I remember his work in the old Crime Story series.
R.I.P. officer.
Retired Ol' Sixgun Sarge
I wish they would bring back reruns of Crime Story. That was a terrific series.
Sounds like a great guy.
--Law Abiding Citizen
"Is this moron #1? Put moron #2 on the phone!"
I was told about a story about Dennis Farina from a fellow actor on a major TV show on NBC. He said a certain director, who could make or break anyone’s carrier, wanted a story about a police officer killing another police officer! Mr. Dennis Farina fought with his big name director and refused to do the show... Mr. Dennis Farina was fired after the season. He walked away from Millions of dollars to stand up for what he once was and will always be in his heart. A POLICE OFFICER. Rest in Peace!!
Yes, great guy, always friendly, never forgot his friends in Chicago. I was at Mike's one night back in the day and he came in and walked right up to me and chatted for a bit. Sorry to see him go at such a young age. He loved the Chicago Police Department and always helped out. Sad
There's something to be said for becoming a success in that line of work later in life. I don't think he started out when he filmed Thief thinking he'd get as big as he did, and based on everything I've heard, he stayed true to his roots.
RIP
I hope the CPD, or at least the FOP sends an honor guard to his funeral, no matter where it is. He is deserving of that.
That get shorty, what an actor
RIP Dennis , the gates of heaven have taken in another brother .
My old man, another Area 4 Dick R.I.P., spoke of him being one tough copper. Loved his movies.
I read a story about John Mahoney of Fraiser putting Farina on stage in Chicago when he was real green and inexperienced in a unrehearsed part. (So Farina could cut his teeth) Farina complained he was uncomfortable by the experience. Mahoney said one night shortly later 3 police cars come lights/sirens on screaming up to Mahoneys building and Mahoney looks out at the racket. He said a cop comes up the stairs, rings his bell and Mahoney says whats the problem. Farina replies unknown to Mahoney that he has a warrant for Mahoney. Mahoney said he was naturally scared. Mahoney says for what and Farina said "impersonating an actor". Mahoney related the story better but it was hilarious. Rest in peace Dennis, you left a legacy of life that you can be proud of.
What a great example of how we should live our lives and treat one another!
RAY BONES IN GET SHORTY.......awesome role
Chili Palmer: How did you get in here?
Ray Bones: It was easy. I told 'em I was you, I acted real stupid and they believed me.
- Get Shorty
To the jerk who wondered why we are talking about a dead actor. Dennis Farina was a former detective. He never forgot where he came from and he was a class act. He attended and gave money to a lot of police benefits and supported all the police charities. As you can tell, he was much loved. With your attitude, I doubt anyone will have anything nice to say about you when you die.
Dennis had us in stitches one night at Sam Cerone`s (RIP) retirement party. RIP Dennis.
Civilian here.
Love the idea of a CPD honor guard. Let it be so!
Check out Post #42 from THEE RANT:
CLICK HERE AND SCROLL TO POST #42
RIP Det. Fontana. You will be missed.
I/F forever...
Sir Donkey, Esq.
Dennis, thank you for the hours of entertainment you provided. You will be remembered as one of the good guys.
RIP brother.
Never met Dennis but from many different stories and some tales Dennis was and always will be a class act. May you rest in peace my brother. Hopefully you can make a perfect script from the heavens above for all your fellow officers left here.
jp
I met him after I got out of 'Nam. He was ordering lunch: he said, "gimme a beef juicy and trow some fuckin' peppers on it.
RIP Lt. Torelo (Crime Story) One of my very favorite actors. It's so great to hear from so many what a fine cop and great regular guy he was.
From the days when individual retirement parties were funnier than television or theater comedies
God bless you and your familiy my departed brother in blue!
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