LOS ANGELES, May 30 (UPI) -- Actor Dennis Farina is leaving NBC's "Law & Order" after two years of portraying Det. Joe Fontana, the show announced Tuesday.

In making the announcement, "Law & Order" Executive Producer Dick Wolf called Farina "the consummate professional," Daily Variety reported.

Farina assumed the role after Jerry Orbach left to join the cast of "Law & Order: Trial By Jury." Orbach died and the spin-off failed to catch on with viewers.

"Dennis had been reluctant to work on a weekly series, but when the opportunity arose to join the cast of 'Law & Order,' it was an easy yes," Wolf said.

Farina is the second major cast member to leave the series, Variety noted. The character played by Annie Parisse, Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Borgia, was killed off during the season finale.