Dennis Farina, co-star of Law & Order has died today at the age of 69. Farina, who played a hard-nosed cop on the popular crime show, served 18 years in the Chicago Police Department’s burglary division, from 1967 to 1985. It is thought he suffered a blood clot in his lung.

Aside from his role on Law & Order, Farina was also a cast member of the hit movies Saving Private Ryan, Midnight Run, Get Shorty, and Snatch. His portrayal in Get Shorty earned him an American Comedy Award for Funniest Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture. Most recently, you’ve probably seen him in a number of recent Comcast Xfinity commercials where he employs his signature tough-nosed style seen best in the L&O role of Detective Joe Fontana.

The mustachioed Farina first broke into show business by using his police prowess as a consultant to director Michael Maan, after which Mann  cast him in a small role in the 1981 film Thief. 

When considering his career as a police officer and acting jobs playing such, ironically Farina was arrested for carrying a loaded .22 caliber pistol through LAX airport security in 2008. He was subsequently taken to LAPD’s Pacific Division and booked on suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon. His bail was set at $25,000. He claimed he had simply forgotten the weapon was still in his briefcase and had never intended to take it on a plane. After police determined the weapon was unregistered, the charges were upgraded to a felony and bail was increased to $35,000.

After reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors, Farina pleaded no contest and was sentenced to two years probation.

A lifelong Cubs fan, Farina is survived by his three sons Dennis Jr, Michael, and Joseph; his two granddaughters Brianna and Olivia; and his four grandsons Michael, Tyler, Matthew, and Eric. Our sympathies are extended to his family and friends, and those close with them. Rest in Peace.