Dennis Farina Rest in Peace

Dennis Farina, dies at age 69

     "My personality was formed by Chicago, It's very American, very straightforward. If you can't find it, or make it there, you won't make it anywhere. It's a very honest place."    Dennis Farina

  

I enjoy Law & Order, especially as I have watched different characters build into the series.  The harsh taste of reality is that some actors have really died along the way--such as my favorite "Lenny Briscoe"  with his one-liners played by Jerry Orbach. It was then that Det. Joe Fontana entered the show in 2004, partnered with Ed Green who was getting over the loss of partner Lenny Briscoe.  (My favorite with the one liners.)  Remember Farina from  "Saving Private Ryan" and "Midnight Run," and the HBO series "Luck?"

Partners Ed Green and Joe Fontana

The guy brought the same earthly, plain-speaking, direct talking detective known in the series--while remaining his own character who brought the vintage veterans years to Law & Order.  My favorite show?  When he screws up in a case, goes to the man's door to apologize, and when the door opens--Fontana's open hand meets a door slamming shut in his face.  The part could not have been played better.  Something told me in that scene that he was not in a script--that perhaps he had already lived it after his career as a cop.  It is that kind of genuine acting on the stage that does something for being more authentic in our own lives beyond our scripts. 

"May he find even greater roles to play 

in a place where the Cubs always win the pennant."

Lori de Waal, spokeswoman