Sad news this morning as it’s being reported that actor Dennis Farina has passed away at the age of 69.  According to TMZ, Farina died after suffering a blood clot in his lung.  Farina was always a memorable presence in TV series and movies.  He usually played no-nonsense tough guys, but without the psychotic or loose cannon behavior those kinds of characters tend to possess. He starred as Detective Joe Fontana on Law & Order from 2004 – 2006, and had standout roles in plenty of movies.  For my money, one of his best was in Snatch. where he played “Cousin Avi”, one of the many characters tracking down a diamond.  At the end of the movie when he’s going through customs and is asked if he has anything to declare, Farina delivers the film’s final line with a comic mix of curtness and fatigue, “Yeah.  Don’t go to England.”

Hit the jump to check out a clip of Farina from Snatch., so you can watch some of his terrific performance.  Our deepest condolences go out to his friends and family.