Dennis Farina, born on February 29, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois, was an American actor. He played various roles in films and television shows, with one of his most famous roles being Detective Joe Fontana in the 1990s TV series 'Chicago Hope'. Farina, in addition to his acting career, was also a former police officer, with extensive law enforcement experience. He passed away on July 22, 2013 due to a heart attack.