Paul Sorvino, 'Goodfellas' and 'Law & Order' Actor, Dead At 83
By: Lauryn Azu (WSJ)
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
Paul Sorvino, a veteran actor known for his roles in "Goodfellas" and the TV series "Law & Order," has died. He was 83 years old.
Mr. Sorvino died of natural causes at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Fla., his publicist Roger Neal said Monday. He "had dealt with health issues over the past few years," Mr. Neal said.
Born in 1939 in Brooklyn, N.Y., Mr. Sorvino knew he wanted to be a performer at a young age. When he was 4 years old, he told his mother, a piano teacher, that he was going to be an actor, he told The Wall Street Journal in a 2011 interview.
He made his film debut in 1970 with “Where’s Poppa?” His Hollywood resume would grow to include more than 100 screen credits, including his perhaps most famous role, mob boss Paul Cicero in Martin Scorsese’s 1990 film “Goodfellas.”
Mr. Sorvino was nominated for a 1973 Tony Award for his role as former high-school basketball star Phil Romano in the Pulitzer Prize-winning play “That Championship Season.” He reprised the role in the 1982 movie.
His career also included turns as an author, cook, director , sculptor and singer.
Mr. Sorvino in ‘Goodfellas’ with Lorraine Bracco and Ray Liotta. PHOTO: WARNER BROS/EVERETT COLLECTION
Mr. Sorvino is survived by his wife, Dee Dee Sorvino; daughters Mira Sorvino and Amanda Sorvino; son Michael Sorvino; and five grandchildren.
“Our hearts are broken, there will never be another Paul Sorvino,” his wife said in a statement. “He was the love of my life, and one of the greatest performers to ever grace the screen and stage.”
Mira Sorvino dedicated her Oscar win for best supporting actress for 1995’s “Mighty Aphrodite” to her father.
“When you give me this award, you honor my father Paul Sorvino who has taught me everything I know about acting,” she said. “I love you very much, dad.”
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It seems like only yesterday that he introduced us to all the Paulies, Peteies and Maries. I always had him pegged as a guy from Brooklyn and there it is! He was a a fine actor, who did well even when miscast, as he was in the controversial comedy "Made for Each Other" (1971).
I thought he died years ago - must have been someone else.