'Law & Order' Actor Dennis Farina Dies at 69

Dennis Farina, a former real-life Chicago police officer who later became known for his role as a small-screen cop on Law & Order, died in a Scottsdale, Ariz., hospital early Monday after suffering a blood clot in his lungs. He was 69.

Farina's representative, Lori De Waal, confirmed the news.

Born on Feb. 29, 1944 in Chicago, Farina served as a city police officer before transitioning to the stage in his late 30s. Farina started his acting career at the Chicago Theater and went on to a small role in Michael Mann's Thief

The two met again when Farina starred in the cult hit Crime Story, a period cop drama Mann produced for NBC. Climbing the ladder from "Where do I recognize you from?" to big-time talent, Farina also played spots in Bottle Shock, Buddy Faro, Get Shorty, Miami Vice, Midnight Run, Out of Sight, Saving Private Ryan and Snatch, among other projects