Dennis Farina, a former Chicago policeman turned tough-guy actor, died in Scottsdale, Arizona, on Monday, the actor's publicist said. He was 69.

Farina, best known as detective Joe Fontana on the long-running TV series Law & Order, suffered a blood clot in his lung, publicist Lori De Waal said.

Most recently, he played Nick's father Walt on two episodes of New Girl.

According to IMDb, Farina was currently filming a movie called Lucky Stiff about a bachelor who must go to Monte Carlo to claim an inheritance from a rich uncle. The film stars Seinfeld's Jason Alexander.

He is also in Authors Anonymous, currently in post-production.

Farina appeared in films including Get Shorty, Saving Private Ryan, Midnight Run and Out Of Sight.

Farina is survived by three sons, six grandchildren and his longtime partner, Marianne Cahill.