Dennis Farina, the former Chicago cop turned film and TV actor best known for his role as wise-cracking detective Joe Fontana on the hit NBC police drama Law & Order, has died in Scottsdale, Arizona at the age of 69.

Farina, who turned his experience as a police officer into a series of tough-guy roles in Hollywood, died after suffering a blood clot in his lung, his publicist Lori De Waal said.

"I was stunned and saddened to hear about Dennis's unexpected passing this morning," Law and Order executive producer Dick Wolf said in a statement.

"The 'Law & Order' family extends sympathy and condolences to his family.

"He was a great guy."

The Chicago-born Farina earned his first credited role in a bit part in the 1981 Michael Mann film Thief and would go on to play mobsters Jimmy Serrano in 1988 comedy Midnight Run and Ray "Bones" Barboni in 1995 comedy Get Shorty.

He gained wider attention on NBC TV series Crime Story portraying Lt Mike Torello, the head of Chicago Police Department's organised crime unit, during the show's two-season run between 1986 and 1988.

Farina's role on Law & Order between 2004 and 2006 also played on the actor's law enforcement background, as Fontana landed in the New York Police Department via Chicago.

The actor's final starring role was in the short-lived HBO TV mob and horse racing series Luck opposite Dustin Hoffman.

The critically acclaimed series was cancelled after its first season due to the death of three horses during production.

Farina also played small parts in the 1998 film Out of Sight, Steven Spielberg's 1998 Oscar-winning World War Two epic Saving Private Ryan and the current Fox TV comedy New Girl.

Farina is survived by three sons, six grandchildren and his partner of 35 years, Marianne Cahill.

Reuters

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