Dennis Farina

Raised in Chicago by Italian immigrant parents, "Farina" joined his hometown's police force in the mid-'60s, settling into a life of law enforcement. When he was hired to be a local consultant on "Michael Mann"'s film "Thief" (1981), however, "Farina" wound up with a bit part as the villain's heavy. "Farina" continued to moonlight as an actor for several years, appearing in local theater and occasional movies, including "Final Jeopardy" (1985) and the "Chuck Norris" vehicle "Code of Silence" (1985). Though he never took an acting class, "Farina" was a natural; after "Michael Mann" offered him the lead in the series "Crime Story" in 1986, "Farina" left the police force to play a TV cop. During his 1986-1988... Full Biography