---
name: "Dennis Farina"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/dennis-farina"
fi1m_id: "dennis-farina"
imdb_id: "nm0001199"
tmdb_id: 1117
wikidata_id: "Q352935"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "29 February 1944"
died: "22 July 2013"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 7
average_fi1m_score: 81
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 7
updated: "2026-09-17T13:34:59.318644+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Dennis Farina

## Identity

Dennis Farina

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/dennis-farina
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** dennis-farina
- **IMDb ID:** nm0001199
- **TMDB ID:** 1117
- **Wikidata ID:** Q352935
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Farina, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q352935, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001199/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1117

Actor. Born 29 February 1944 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. Died 22 July 2013.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 29 February 1944, Chicago, Illinois, USA
- **Died:** 22 July 2013
- **Active:** 1986–2000
- **Frequently works with:** [Danny DeVito](https://film.one/person/danny-devito.md), [Michael Shamberg](https://film.one/person/michael-shamberg.md), [Scott Frank](https://film.one/person/scott-frank.md), [Stacey Sher](https://film.one/person/stacey-sher.md)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 81, as actor, over 7 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1980s 86 (2), 1990s 81 (4), 2000s 74 (1)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 83 to 78 across 6 titles
- **Score spread:** 5 at 80+, 2 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 1 of 7 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Crime 6, Comedy 4, Thriller 3, Drama 2, History 1, Horror 1
- **Screen time:** 12 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $805m across 6 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Farina, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q352935, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0001199/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/1117

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*Saving Private Ryan*](https://film.one/film/saving-private-ryan.md) (84)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Manhunter*](https://film.one/film/manhunter.md) (84)
- **The Roku Channel:** [*Get Shorty*](https://film.one/film/get-shorty.md) (82)
- **Hulu:** [*Law & Order*](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md) (72)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Dennis Farina

> Dennis Farina made a threat sound both credible and faintly unreasonable. We like him most when a film gives that toughness something else to do: make us laugh, or let a father's worry show.

In *Out of Sight* (1998), Dennis Farina's Marshall Sisco gives his daughter a gun for her birthday, then worries about her. We laughed at the order of those two impulses, because Farina makes them belong quite comfortably to the same father. That is a useful introduction to an actor too often described simply as a tough guy. The present is absurd, but it also makes sense for this particular parent. Soderbergh gives him room to be funny without making the father a distraction from the daughter.

The cops and criminals were not accidental casting: Farina had been a Chicago detective, and Michael Mann brought him into films with *Thief* (1981). The Mann-produced television series *Crime Story* (1986–88), with Farina leading as Lt Mike Torello, made him more than a useful supporting presence. *Midnight Run* (1988) then helped establish the comically overheated mobster, Jimmy Serrano. Those roles explain why he was hired so often for authority and intimidation, though treating that as his entire contribution misses the humour.

In Barry Sonnenfeld's *Get Shorty* (1995), his Ray ‘Bones’ Barboni fits into a cast whose different ways of throwing their weight about supply much of the pleasure. Farina, Delroy Lindo and James Gandolfini each have their own swagger; Sonnenfeld wisely does not ask them to imitate John Travolta's composure. We rated the film highly for those conversations, despite the easy Hollywood jokes and shortage of suspense. Farina's tendency to overheat gives the comedy something Travolta's calm cannot provide on its own. He belongs in the comedy because he takes the business of intimidation seriously.

Frequent casting as cops and mobsters made repetition a risk, however well he could do the job. The familiar toughness needed a director willing to use it for more than another display of menace. Sonnenfeld supplies contrasting personalities; Soderbergh gives him a daughter to worry about. Begin with *Out of Sight* if the gangsters are all you know.

## Biography

Dennis Farina was an American actor. Born in Chicago, Illinois, on 29 February 1944, he served in the Chicago Police Department for 18 years before turning to acting in his late thirties. He began with small roles in films directed by Michael Mann and appeared in Chicago stage productions, including work with the Steppenwolf Theater Company.

Farina was frequently cast as police officers or criminals. His film credits include Jack Crawford in *Manhunter* (1986), Jimmy Serrano in *Midnight Run* (1988), Ray 'Bones' Barboni in *Get Shorty* (1995), Lieutenant Colonel Anderson in *Saving Private Ryan* (1998), Marshall Sisco in *Out of Sight* (1998), and Avi in *Snatch* (2000).

On television he played Lieutenant Mike Torello in *Crime Story* and NYPD Detective Joe Fontana in *Law & Order*. He also voiced a character in *Family Guy*, appeared in *New Girl* as Walt Miller, and hosted *Unsolved Mysteries*. Farina died in Scottsdale, Arizona, on 22 July 2013.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.*

## On Fi1m (7)

- *Snatch* (2000), Fi1m 74, as Avi — [page](https://film.one/film/snatch.md)
- *Out of Sight* (1998), Fi1m 86, as Marshall Sisco — [page](https://film.one/film/out-of-sight.md)
- *Saving Private Ryan* (1998), Fi1m 84, as Lieutenant Colonel Anderson — [page](https://film.one/film/saving-private-ryan.md)
- *Get Shorty* (1995), Fi1m 82, as Ray 'Bones' Barboni — [page](https://film.one/film/get-shorty.md)
- *Law & Order* (1990), Fi1m 72, as Joe Fontana — [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md)
- *Midnight Run* (1988), Fi1m 88, as Jimmy Serrano, Chicago mobster — [page](https://film.one/film/midnight-run.md)
- *Manhunter* (1986), Fi1m 84, as Jack Crawford — [page](https://film.one/film/manhunter.md)

## Complete filmography (84)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Lucky Stiff* (2014), as Luigi
- *Authors Anonymous* (2014), as John K. Butzin
- *Luck* (2012), series, as Gus Demitriou
- *The Last Rites of Joe May* (2011), as Joe May
- *New Girl* (2011), series, as Walt Miller — Fi1m 80, [page](https://film.one/tv/new-girl.md)
- *The Looney Tunes Show* (2011), series, as Frank Russo (voice)
- *Knucklehead* (2010), as Memphis Earl
- *Bottle Shock* (2008), as Maurice Cantavale
- *What Happens in Vegas* (2008), as Richard Banger
- *Bagboy* (2007), as Marty
- *The Grand* (2007), as L.B.J. Deuce Fairbanks
- *Purple Violets* (2007), as Gilmore
- *You Kill Me* (2007), as Edward O'Leary
- *Empire Falls* (2005), series, as Walt Comeau
- *Law & Order: Trial by Jury* (2005), series, as Joe Fontana
- *Paparazzi* (2004), as Detective Burton
- *Justice League Unlimited* (2004), series, as Wildcat (voice)
- *In-Laws* (2002), series, as Victor Pellet
- *Stealing Harvard* (2002), as Mr. Warner
- *Big Trouble* (2002), as Henry Desalvo
- *Sidewalks of New York* (2001), as Carpo
- *Snatch* (2000), as Avi — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/snatch.md)
- *Bad Seed* (2000), as Dick Muller
- *Reindeer Games* (2000), as Jack Banks
- *The Mod Squad* (1999), as Captain Adam Greer
- *Family Guy* (1999), series, as Dennis Farina (voice) — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/family-guy.md)
- *Buddy Faro* (1998), series, as Buddy Faro
- *Saving Private Ryan* (1998), as Lieutenant Colonel Anderson — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/saving-private-ryan.md)
- *Out of Sight* (1998), as Marshall Sisco — Fi1m 86, [page](https://film.one/film/out-of-sight.md)
- *Bella Mafia* (1997), as Don Roberto Luciano
- *That Old Feeling* (1997), as Dan De Mora
- *Eddie* (1996), as John Bailey
- *Get Shorty* (1995), as Ray 'Bones' Barboni — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/get-shorty.md)
- *Out of Annie's Past* (1995), as Charlie Ingle
- *Bonanza: Under Attack* (1995), as Charley Siringo
- *Little Big League* (1994), as George O'Farrell
- *The Corpse Had a Familiar Face* (1994), as Detective Harry Lindstrom
- *One Woman's Courage* (1994), as Craig McKenna
- *A Stranger in the Mirror* (1993), Actor
- *Striking Distance* (1993), as Nick Detillo
- *Romeo Is Bleeding* (1993), as Nick Gazzara (uncredited)
- *Another Stakeout* (1993), as Brian O'Hara
- *The Disappearance of Nora* (1993), as Denton
- *Mac* (1992), as Mr. Stunder
- *Street Crimes* (1992), as Brian
- *The American Gangster* (1992), as Narrator
- *Cruel Doubt* (1992), series, as Tom Brereton
- *We're Talkin' Serious Money* (1992), as Sal
- *Drug Wars: The Cocaine Cartel* (1992), series, as Mike Cerone
- *Drug Wars: The Cocaine Cartel* (1992), as Mike Cerone
- *Perfect Crimes* (1991), as Armand Zaro
- *Havana* (1990), as Joe Volpe's Assistant (uncredited)
- *Men Of Respect* (1990), as Bankie Como
- *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Joe Fontana — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md)
- *People Like Us* (1990), as Elias Renthall
- *Blind Faith* (1990), series, as Prosecutor Kelly
- *Tales from the Crypt* (1989), series, as Antoine
- *The Case of the Hillside Stranglers* (1989), as Angelo Buono
- *Unsolved Mysteries* (1988), series, as Host
- *Open Admissions* (1988), as Fred Carlson
- *Midnight Run* (1988), as Jimmy Serrano, Chicago mobster — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/film/midnight-run.md)
- *China Beach* (1988), series, as Lt. Colonel Edward Edward Vincent
- *Six Against the Rock* (1987), as Robert Stroud
- *Crime Story* (1986), series, as Lt. Mike Torello
- *Crime Story: Pilot* (1986), as Lt. Mike Torello
- *Manhunter* (1986), as Jack Crawford — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/manhunter.md)
- *Triplecross* (1986), as Veteran Cop, Ernie
- *Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling* (1986), as Freddy
- *Birthday Boy* (1986), as Diner Owner
- *Final Jeopardy* (1985), as Policeman #2
- *Lady Blue* (1985), series, Actor
- *Code of Silence* (1985), as Det. Dorato
- *MacGruder and Loud* (1985), series, as Bodyguard
- *The Impostor* (1984), as Detective
- *The Toughest Man in the World* (1984), as John
- *Hunter* (1984), series, as Vic Terranova
- *Miami Vice* (1984), series, as Albert Lombard — Fi1m 81, [page](https://film.one/tv/miami-vice.md)
- *Hard Knox* (1984), Actor
- *The Killing Floor* (1984), as Supervisor
- *Through Naked Eyes* (1983), as Patrolman
- *Hardcastle and McCormick* (1983), series, as Ed Coley
- *Remington Steele* (1982), series, as Uniform
- *American Playhouse* (1982), series, as Supervisor
- *Thief* (1981), as Carl

## Gallery

- ![Dennis Farina](https://film.one/media/person/9875/gallery-0347bc7fd1aa.jpg) Dennis Farina — Kingkongphoto & www.celebrity-photos.com from Laurel  Maryland, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/75/Dennis_Farina.jpg/1280px-Dennis_Farina.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Dennis Farina at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival.](https://film.one/media/person/9875/gallery-7414b2706d61.jpg) Dennis Farina at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival. — David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0f/Dennis_Farina_2011_Shankbone.JPG/1280px-Dennis_Farina_2011_Shankbone.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Dennis Farina at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival.](https://film.one/media/person/9875/gallery-dfa0ba6cd20d.jpg) Dennis Farina at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival. — David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/45/Dennis_Farina_2011_Shankbone_2.JPG/1280px-Dennis_Farina_2011_Shankbone_2.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Dennis Farina at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival.](https://film.one/media/person/9875/gallery-678680f2fcc2.jpg) Dennis Farina at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival. — David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Dennis_Farina_2011_Shankbone_4.JPG/1280px-Dennis_Farina_2011_Shankbone_4.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Dennis Farina at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival.](https://film.one/media/person/9875/gallery-06f0f91a7d6e.jpg) Dennis Farina at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival. — David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/Dennis_Farina_2011_Shankbone_5.JPG/1280px-Dennis_Farina_2011_Shankbone_5.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Dennis Farina at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival.](https://film.one/media/person/9875/gallery-2d78c0082884.jpg) Dennis Farina at the 2011 Tribeca Film Festival. — David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9f/Dennis_Farina_2011_Shankbone_3.JPG/1280px-Dennis_Farina_2011_Shankbone_3.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/dennis-farina