Dennis Farina’s ‘Law & Order’ Role Was Shockingly Authentic

Lauded as one of the finest crime dramas of all time, Law & Order made its debut on September 13, 1990, and quickly captivated audiences with its exploration of the criminal justice system. The enduring series was created by producing titan Dick Wolf and featured a slew of familiar faces throughout its initial 20-season run, including Sam Waterston, Chris Noth, Benjamin Bratt, and Michael Imperioli.

In 2004, Dennis Farina joined the hit show as the sharp-dressed Chicago transplant Detective Joe Fontana, with the seasoned star portraying the smooth-talking character for two seasons and 46 episodes before ultimately departing in 2006. Fans of both the drama and the actor may be surprised to learn that he was more than qualified to play Fontana, as he was previously a detective before venturing into the world of Hollywood. Let’s take a closer look.

Dennis Farina’s Impressive Career Switch-Up

Before he was chasing down criminals in the streets of New York City and helping bring violent offenders to justice on television, Dennis Farina was actually a real-life Chicago police detective, having joined the force in 1967. Farina previously served three years in the United States Army during the Vietnam War before becoming a patrolman in the Chicago Police Department for 18 years and ultimately advancing to detective status. He retired from the force in 1985, but prior to doing so, dipped his toe in the acting waters.

Farina made his stage debut in the Steppenwolf Theater Company production of A Prayer for My Daughter in 1982, with the project having been directed by the one-and-only John Malkovich. He began serving as a police consultant for Michael Mann for his 1981 heist movie Thief, and was subsequently cast in a small role in the acclaimed flick before further working with the filmmaker as mobster Albert Lombard in the small-screen classic Miami Vice.

Mann continued to become a prominent collaborator with Farina and chose the blossoming actor to headline his 1986 drama Crime Story, in which he appeared opposite Anthony Denison during its two-season run. The edgy program garnered both praise and controversy due to its serialized format, going against the grain during a time when storylines were episodic in nature. Farina would go on to nab roles in movies like Midnight Run, Get Shorty, and Manhunter, as well as the shows Cruel Doubt and Buddy Faro, before landing the part of Detective Joe Fontana in Law & Order.

Farina Joins the Thrilling ‘Law & Order’ Universe

Following the sad passing of decorated Law & Order lead star Jerry Orbach in 2004, Farina was brought in as a replacement partner for Ed Green (Jesse L. Martin), with Orbach’s character Lennie Brisco retiring from full-time active police duty. Farina’s on-screen counterpart, Detective Joe Fontana, was never afraid to bend the rules in order to pursue a lead and often utilized heavy-handed techniques to gain information from suspects, frequently telling citizens that he was “authorized” to do so in an effort to access intel.

The role of the stylish, tough-as-nails Fontana was perfectly suited for Farina as the character’s background also reflected the actor’s, as he spent years as a Chicago cop and grew up in Little Italy before pursuing a career in law enforcement. Farina starred as the savvy detective for two seasons of the juggernaut show before departing in 2006, as he wanted to pursue other projects and would go on to appear in the films You Kill Me and What Happens in Vegas.

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Farina had very big shoes to fill when he signed on as Orbach’s replacement, and his own history as a Chicago cop only added more authenticity to the part, allowing him to bring Fontana to life so well while establishing himself as an endearing oddity in the Law & Order universe. He may have only been with the series for two seasons and 46 episodes, but Fontana’s (and Farina’s) undeniable swagger and tenacity helped him become a popular character that was sorely missed upon his departure.

After leaving Law & Order in 2006, Farina went on to play Walt Miller in the sitcom New Girl while also appearing in Empire Falls, Unsolved Mysteries, and Luck, in addition to films like Knucklehead and The Last Rites of Joe May. With a Hollywood tenure spanning over thirty years and nearly two decades of police work to his name, Farina passed away at 69 on July 22, 2013; his last film credit was the musical comedy Lucky Stiff, which was posthumously released in 2014. Dick Wolf paid tribute to the late actor shortly after news of his passing broke:

“I was stunned and saddened to hear about Dennis’ unexpected passing this morning. The Law & Order family extends sympathy and condolences to his family. He was a great guy.”

Stream Law & Order on Peacock.