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Dennis Farina

Dennis Farina

Actor · Died July 22, 2013, aged 69 · Chicago, Illinois, USA

Donaldo Gugliermo "Dennis" Farina (February 29, 1944 – July 22, 2013) was an American actor. Often typecast as a mobster or police officer, he is known for roles such as FBI Agent Jack Crawford in Manhunter, mobster Jimmy Serrano in the comedy Midnight Run, Ray "Bones" Barboni in Get Shorty, Cousin Avi in Snatch, and Walt Miller in New Girl. He starred on television as Lieutenant Mike Torello on Crime Story and as NYPD Detective Joe Fontana on Law & Order. From 2008 to 2010, he hosted and narrated the television program Unsolved Mysteries on Spike TV. His last major television role was in HBO's Luck, which premiered on January 29, 2012.

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
February 29, 1944
Died
July 22, 2013 (aged 69)
From
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Works as
Actor
Titles
59 on MovieCove · 85 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 34% in 30 days

What are Dennis Farina's films like?

Across their 39 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Genres

Comedy19 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 50th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Comedy movies
Action8 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 30th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Crime4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 59th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Crime movies
Drama4 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 41st percentile
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
30%
Self
24%
Morality
20%
Power
11%
Survival
7%
Society
6%
Ideas
2%
Family bonds10 titles, browse their movies with this themeAmbition8 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty8 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice6 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love5 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity5 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship5 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption4 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 36 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 19 · Serious 10 · Dark 7

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 17 · Stylized 14 · Heightened 5

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 12 · Charged 17 · Intense 7

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

A split, not a type: Steady 18 · Shifting 12 · Whiplash 6

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 14 · Some laughs 7 · Funny 15

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 13 · Even-paced 18 · Relentless 5

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

A split, not a type: Casual 18 · Engaged 17 · Full focus 1

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 31 · Open-ended 5 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

22 analyzed roles

Usually the Shadow: 7 of 22 analyzed roles.

Shadow
7 of 22
Ally
4 of 22
Threshold guardian
4 of 22
Trickster
3 of 22
Hero
2 of 22
Mentor
1 of 22
Shapeshifter
1 of 22
Show the 22 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
22
Absurd
13
Melancholic
11
Warm
10
Joyful
8
Other
38

How their films linger

Fun18 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good16 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet10 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking6 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteUnsettling4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 6 with a twist

  • Happy17
  • Bittersweet16
  • Tragic3
  • Ambiguous2
  • Cyclical1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Dennis Farina's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 36 of their 59 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (22).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Dennis Farina's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

85 credits, 59 with a MovieCove page; 6 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Lucky Stiff(2014)

    as Luigi

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Authors Anonymous(2014)

    as John K. Butzin

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Luck(2011)

    Show 9 episodes · as Gus Demitriou

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all shows

  • The Last Rites of Joe May(2011)

    as Joe May

    Midcredits score: 68th percentile of all films

  • New Girl(2011)

    Show 2 episodes · as Walt Miller

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all shows

  • The Looney Tunes Show(2011)

    Show 1 episode · as Frank Russo (voice)

    Midcredits score: 66th percentile of all shows

  • Knucklehead(2010)

    as Memphis Earl

    Midcredits score: 17th percentile of all films

  • Bottle Shock(2008)

    as Maurice Cantavale

    Midcredits score: 69th percentile of all films

  • What Happens in Vegas(2008)

    as Richard Banger

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Bagboy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Marty

  • The Grand(2007)

    as L.B.J. Deuce Fairbanks

    Midcredits score: 41st percentile of all films

  • Purple Violets(2007)

    as Gilmore

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • You Kill Me(2007)

    as Edward O'Leary

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Empire Falls(2005)

    Show 2 episodes · as Walt Comeau

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all shows

  • Law & Order: Trial by Jury(2005)

    Show 1 episode · as Joe Fontana

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all shows

  • Paparazzi(2004)

    as Detective Burton

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Justice League Unlimited(2004)

    Show 2 episodes · as Wildcat (voice)

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all shows

  • In-Laws (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 15 episodes · as Victor Pellet

  • Stealing Harvard(2002)

    as Mr. Warner

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Big Trouble(2002)

    as Henry Desalvo

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Sidewalks of New York(2001)

    as Carpo

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films

  • Dinner for Five (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2001)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Snatch(2000)

    as Avi

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Bad Seed (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2000)

    as Dick Muller

  • Reindeer Games(2000)

    as Jack Banks

    Midcredits score: 29th percentile of all films

  • The Mod Squad(1999)

    as Captain Adam Greer

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Family Guy(1999)

    Show 1 episode · as Dennis Farina (voice)

    Midcredits score: 77th percentile of all shows

  • Buddy Faro (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1998)

    Show 13 episodes · as Buddy Faro

  • Saving Private Ryan(1998)

    as Lieutenant Colonel Anderson

    Midcredits score: 99th percentile of all films

  • Out of Sight(1998)

    as Marshall Sisco

    Midcredits score: 82nd percentile of all films

  • Bella Mafia(1997)

    as Don Roberto Luciano

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • That Old Feeling(1997)

    as Dan De Mora

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • Eddie(1996)

    as John Bailey

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Get Shorty(1995)

    as Ray 'Bones' Barboni

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Out of Annie's Past (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Charlie Ingle

  • Bonanza: Under Attack (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1995)

    as Charley Siringo

  • Little Big League(1994)

    as George O'Farrell

    Midcredits score: 50th percentile of all films

  • The Corpse Had a Familiar Face(1994)

    as Detective Harry Lindstrom

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • One Woman's Courage (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Craig McKenna

  • A Stranger in the Mirror(1993)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • Striking Distance(1993)

    as Nick Detillo

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Romeo Is Bleeding(1993)

    as Nick Gazzara (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Another Stakeout(1993)

    as Brian O'Hara

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • The Disappearance of Nora (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as Denton

  • Mac(1992)

    as Mr. Stunder

    Midcredits score: 49th percentile of all films

  • Street Crimes(1992)

    as Brian

    Midcredits score: 11th percentile of all films

  • The American Gangster (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Narrator

  • Cruel Doubt (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 2 episodes · as Tom Brereton

  • We're Talkin' Serious Money(1992)

    as Sal

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Drug Wars: The Cocaine Cartel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as Mike Cerone

  • Drug Wars: The Cocaine Cartel (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 2 episodes · as Mike Cerone

  • Perfect Crimes (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    as Armand Zaro

  • Havana(1990)

    as Joe Volpe's Assistant (uncredited)

    Midcredits score: 44th percentile of all films

  • Men of Respect(1990)

    as Bankie Como

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Law & Order(1990)

    Show 46 episodes · as Joe Fontana

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all shows

  • People Like Us(1990)

    as Elias Renthall

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • Blind Faith (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1990)

    Show 2 episodes · as Prosecutor Kelly

  • Tales from the Crypt(1989)

    Show 1 episode · as Antoine

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • The Case of the Hillside Stranglers(1989)

    as Angelo Buono

    Midcredits score: 42nd percentile of all films

  • Unsolved Mysteries(1987)

    Show 175 episodes · as Host

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all shows

  • Open Admissions (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Fred Carlson

  • Midnight Run(1988)

    as Jimmy Serrano, Chicago mobster

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • China Beach(1988)

    Show 1 episode · as Lt. Colonel Edward Edward Vincent

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all shows

  • Six Against the Rock(1987)

    as Robert Stroud

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Crime Story(1986)

    Show 43 episodes · as Lt. Mike Torello

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all shows

  • Crime Story: Pilot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Lt. Mike Torello

  • Manhunter(1986)

    as Jack Crawford

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Triplecross (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Veteran Cop, Ernie

  • Jo Jo Dancer, Your Life Is Calling(1986)

    as Freddy

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Birthday Boy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Diner Owner

  • Final Jeopardy(1985)

    as Policeman #2

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Lady Blue (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Code of Silence(1985)

    as Det. Dorato

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • MacGruder and Loud (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · as Bodyguard

  • The Impostor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Detective

  • The Toughest Man in the World(1984)

    as John

    Midcredits score: 27th percentile of all films

  • Hunter(1984)

    Show 2 episodes · as Vic Terranova

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all shows

  • Miami Vice(1984)

    Show 3 episodes · as Albert Lombard

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all shows

  • Hard Knox (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

  • The Killing Floor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Supervisor

  • Through Naked Eyes(1983)

    as Patrolman

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Hardcastle and McCormick (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Show 1 episode · as Ed Coley

  • Remington Steele(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Uniform

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all shows

  • American Playhouse (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Show 1 episode · as Supervisor

  • Thief(1981)

    as Carl

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 85 titles from 1981 to 2014; peak year 1999.

Biggest box office

What Happens in Vegas (2008)

$219M worldwide

Highest rated

Snatch (2000)

Midcredits 99th

Most popular right now

Crime Story (1986)

Film career

19812014

Peak 1999 · fewer prominent film roles lately. Top draw in 8 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting85 of 85: 85 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score54th

By decade

1980s28 · acting1990s32 · acting2000s18 · acting2010s7 · acting

Billing

usually 5th · top billed in 0% of 32 roles
81919601

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

How do Dennis Farina's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 45th percentile, the median of all 44; across their 36 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 45th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

45thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 36

Approval · how many liked their films

46thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 36

Reach · how many have seen their films

81stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 36

Midcredits score across 59 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up17
  • 50th to 74th15
  • 25th to 49th17
  • Below 25th10

Shape of the crowd

26 of their 59 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved7
  • Universally Panned1
  • Cult Classic5
  • Crowd Pleaser26
  • Broadly Agreed6
  • Mixed14

Most divisive · actor

Lucky Stiff (2014)

84th percentile spread · 33% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Saving Private Ryan (1998)

Midcredits 99th · 94% liked

Reviewers score the acting 67/100 in their films, across 35 reviewed titles; fans 78, detractors 39. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Dennis Farina's work okay for kids?

Across up to 12 MovieCove titles with content scores, violence & gore and profanity run heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore10 titles32–82 · median 60 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity12 titles20–49 · median 36 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity10 titles41–92 · median 84 · severeheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs10 titles28–57 · median 42 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense10 titles4–66 · median 36 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Dennis Farina work with?

People who share at least 2 of Dennis Farina's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Tom Sizemore shares the most, 4.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers