Actor Dennis Farina was known for comedic and tough - guy roles . He became a police officer in the late '60s and soon graduated to detective . Farina played Joe Fontana on ` ` Law & Order '' and was longtime Chicago police officer who moved into acting .
Actor Dennis Farina was known for comedic and tough - guy roles . Farina played Joe Fontana on ` ` Law & Order '' and was longtime Chicago police officer who moved into acting .