OBITUARIES
'Snatch' & 'Get Shorty' Star Dennis Farina Has Passed Away at 69
by Ethan Anderton
July 22, 2013
Source: AP
Though there are plenty of A-list actors out there leading some of today's biggest films, there are plenty of memorable performances coming from character actors like Snatch and Get Shorty star Dennis Farina. And sadly, this supporting talent has left us as the Associated Press reports Farina has passed away at 69, though the cause of death has not been revealed. Before becoming an accomplished actor, Farina worked as a city detective in Chicago, so it only seemed appropriate that he would get his big break in his late 30s as a police officer on the TV series "Crime Story." Though his acting career really began in 1981. More below.
Back in Chicago, Farina took a role in the film Thief from director Michael Mann. And much like many successes in Hollywood, the job came from the right connection. Farina has met Mann through a mutual friend while working at the police department. It wasn't a star-making turn, but Farina was hooked, telling the AP back in 2004, "I remember going to the set that day and being intrigued by the whole thing. I liked it. And everybody was extremely nice to me. If the people were rude and didn't treat me right, things could have gone the other way."
But his career wouldn't truly take off until the aforementioned 80s TV series role which was followed by his revered turn as a criminal boss in Midnight Run with Robert De Niro. Fans might be more familiar with the tough guy attitude of Farina with films like Snatch, Get Shorty, Another Stakeout, Reindeer Games and Out of Sight. His penchant for those roles even came through in comedies like Eddie and Little Big League. But he also took less caricatured roles in films like Saving Private Ryan and That Old Feeling, and stage roles in productions of Bleacher Bums and Streamers.
More recently, Farina had taken to television with several seasons on "Law & Order," and the single season of HBO's canceled series "Luck." Farina also made a hilarious guest appearance as Zooey Deschanel's father on a couple episodes of the Fox comedy series "New Girl." As for his final piece of work, there are two films on the way called Authors Anonymous and another comedy called Lucky Stiff, an adaptation of the stage musical about a bachelor who travels to Monte Carlo to claim an inheritance from his late rich uncle. Farina was truly a beast of a character actor, and he will be missed. Rest in peace.
17 Comments
1
Well this sux. BTW, in New Girl, he was not Zooey Deschanel's father. He was the father of the character Nick (played by Jake Johnson). They actually just killed Nick's father off in season 2 so that was ominously...convenient
IanPullens on Jul 22, 2013
2
Woah. That's a shame. He was great in LAW & ORDER.
DAVIDPD on Jul 22, 2013
3
Well crap. Quite underrated / under-worked imo. Maybe a better agent would've gotten him lots more. Maybe he didn't want to work much. Dunno. Loved his work though. Would've loved to have seen him in lots more. Rest well Mr. Farina & thanks for the show.
avconsumer2 on Jul 22, 2013
4
Aw man, loved Farina. RIP. Alex watch Midnight Run.
Xerxexx on Jul 22, 2013
5
I'm a-walkin' in the rain. Tears are fallin' and I feel the pain...
Bl00dwerK on Jul 22, 2013
6
Farewell...This sucks
Garry on Jul 22, 2013
7
Great actor and almost always owned the screen when on. Rip.
wayner on Jul 22, 2013
8
Aww man, RIP, loved him in pretty much anything he was in, especially Law and Order.
Cody W on Jul 22, 2013
9
Great actor.
mooreworthy on Jul 22, 2013
10
Heartbreaking news, Dennis Farina was an amazing actor, he was so great in everything he did. He had such a commanding presence on screen, always seemed like the type of actor that only needed one take to deliver his lines. A truly gifted actor. My condolences to his friends and family, he will surely be missed. May he rest in peace.
batsupe on Jul 22, 2013
11
His part on the Snatch Gag Reel is awesome! He was so talented, R.I.P.
Crazy Legs on Jul 22, 2013
12
A detective in a major city and a gifted actor in Hollywood? Sounds like a life lived to the fullest, and then some. Will definitely be missed, RIP.
Wafffles on Jul 22, 2013
13
Goddamn shame. Always smiled when he popped up in something.
grimjob on Jul 22, 2013
14
Sidewalks of New York...Nuff Said. See it.
NYC on Jul 23, 2013
16
great actor, watched him growing up in crime story and Out of Sight and Get Shorty also loved him in big trouble as a hit man really funny
Francis.F on Jul 23, 2013
17
Very sad. He was a great character in anything he starred in.
cobrazombie on Jul 24, 2013
New comments are no longer allowed on this post.
FEATURED POSTS
FOLLOW FS HERE
Follow Alex's main account on Twitter:
Add our posts to your Feedly › click here
Get all the news sent on Telegram 
LATEST TO WATCH