DENNIS FARINA - FILM STAR DENNIS FARINA ARRESTED AT AIRPORT

Hollywood actor and former police officer Dennis Farina has been arrested at Los Angeles International Airport for carrying a loaded gun before getting on a plane.

Farina, who is best known for his role as New York Detective Joe Fontana on Law & Order, told police he forgot he had the 22 calibre, semi-automatic pistol on him when he attempted to pass through airport security.

Reuters reported the actor was due to fly home to Chicago on a United Airlines flight.

In a statement, police said: "Farina was very apologetic and cooperative with officers.

"However, he had no apparent authority to carry a concealed weapon at the time of his arrest."

According to Reuters, the actor was initially charged with carrying a loaded firearm and bail was set at $25,000.

However, police later discovered the weapon was unregistered and the charge was upgraded from a misdemeanour to a felony. Bail was set at $35,000.

Farina was an officer in the Chicago Police Department for 20 years until 1985 and went on to film roles including Jimmy Serrano, the mobster in Midnight Run. Farina was also in Get Shorty and Out of Sight.