Is an ex-Chicago policeman.

Father of actor Joe Farina.

Is one of three actors to play Jack Crawford in the Hannibal Lecter films. He played the role in Manhunter (1986). Scott Glenn played the role in The Silence of the Lambs (1991), and Harvey Keitel played the role in Red Dragon (2002).

He is the only actor on "Law & Order" (1990) who has actually served in law enforcement.

Once claimed in an interview that as a Chicago cop he was such a bad shot, he earned the nickname "The Great Wounder."

Spent three years in the military before becoming a police officer.

Farina means "flour" in Italian.

Italian-American.

Children: Dennis Farina Jr., Michael Farina, and Joseph Farina.

His date of birth has only occured 15 times so far in his life, because February 29th is Leap Day, the well known "extra" day of a Leap Year (containing 366 days), which only occur every four years.

In the film Get Shorty (1995), Dennis played Mr. Barboni. In the end of the film, Chili Palmer (John Travolta) is making a movie about his experiences in Hollywood, the role of Chili is portrayed by Martin Weir (Danny DeVito) and that of Barboni by Harvey Keitel. Dennis Farina played Jack Crawford in Manhunter (1986) (film based on the Thomas Harris novel "Red Dragon"). Harvey Keitel played Crawford in Red Dragon (2002).