
Paul Sorvino, best known for his role as Paul “Big Paulie” Cicero in the Academy Award-nominated Martin Scorsese film Goodfellas, has passed away at age 83.
News of his passing was shared to the press by his publicist Roger Neal in a statement written by Sorvino’s wife Dee Dee which said, “Our hearts are broken. There will never be another Paul Sorvino, he was the love of my life, and one of the greatest performers to ever grace the screen and stage.”
Sorvino died peacefully on Monday of natural causes with his wife Dee Dee by his side at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida, after suffering from various health issues for several years.
She also shared a tribute to her late husband in an Instagram post confirming his passing:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CgceHvbp4ho/?hl=en
His daughter, Academy Award winning actress Mira Sorvino also shared news of his passing on Twitter:
My father the great Paul Sorvino has passed. My heart is rent asunder- a life of love and joy and wisdom with him is over. He was the most wonderful father. I love him so much. I’m sending you love in the stars Dad as you ascend.
— Mira Sorvino (@MiraSorvino) July 25, 2022
Paul Anthony Sorvino was born April 13, 1939, in the Bensonhurst neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. Sorvino originally had his heart set on a life as an opera singer. He was exposed to dramatic arts while studying at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. He furthered his studies with Sanford Meisner and eventually made his film debut in Carl Reiner’s Where’s Poppa? In 1970.
Sorvino is probably best known for his role in Goodfellas alongside Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci and Ray Liotta. He also starred in films like Nixon, Dick Tracy, The Rocketeer, For the Love of Money, That Championship Season, Reds, A Touch of Class and Oh, God! among many others.
His many TV roles included appearances on Moonlighting, Murder, She Wrote, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Elementary, The Goldbergs, Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, as well as a 31-episode run on NBC’s Law & Order, portraying Philip Cerreta.
Sorvino’s Broadway credits include performances in Bajour, That Championship Season, Mating Dance, Skyscraper, and An American Millionaire, and 1976, he directed the short-lived Broadway play Wheelbarrow Closers.
Music was a passion for Sorvino and that dream of his was almost cut short due to his struggles with severe asthma, however, he worked hard at mastering various breathing techniques to manage the illness. He wrote a best-selling book entitled How to Become a Former Asthmatic and started the Sorvino Asthma Foundation based in New York City.
One of his other passion projects was a dog adoption foundation he started with his daughter Amanda in 2002 called Dogfellas, based in Manhattan and Pennsylvania.
Many took to social media to share their tributes:
The amazing Paul Sorvino has passed. From Baker's Wife on Bway to Shakespeare in the Park to all the incredible film/tv roles – he was magnificent in all. Blessings to his friends and family.#rippaulsorvino
— jason alexander (@IJasonAlexander) July 25, 2022
One of my earliest TV memories was not Sesame Street but a movie I prob should not have watched at my age – your father & LeVar Burton in Dummy. By the time I saw your father again (Oh God on network TV) I assumed his hearing "got better" because he had been so believable. 1/2
— The Elusive Robert Denby (@JoshLewMontague) July 25, 2022
I literally think of Paul Sorvino every time I slice garlic
— Alex Suskind (@AlexJSuskind) July 25, 2022
As well as his acting work, we should salute Paul Sorvino for starting a dog adoption organisation with his daughter Amanda in 2002 that they called – yes – DogFellas. pic.twitter.com/g3almKmg1E
— Nick de Semlyen (@NickdeSemlyen) July 25, 2022
Your father sang Danny Boy for my Aunt Marge at The Chicago Film Critics Awards in 2012. We all cried. Holding you and the family in light and love. #RIPPaulSorvino
— Jane Lynch (@janemarielynch) July 25, 2022
Mira, so sorry for your loss. Sending my love.
— Rob Reiner (@robreiner) July 25, 2022
So sad to hear of the passing of Paul Sorvino—my sincere condolences to his family & loved ones. May he Rest In Peace. pic.twitter.com/eLEWBapZGy
— Lorraine Bracco (@Lorraine_Bracco) July 25, 2022
Legendary actor Paul Sorvino has died aged 83.
— Peter Guy (@Getintothis) July 25, 2022
As Paul Cicero in Goodfellas he taught generations how to slice garlic like a true Boss. Rest in Peace. ????pic.twitter.com/nJPPEtgHBl
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Paul Sorvino has passed away at the age of 83. Rest In Peace…pic.twitter.com/ImpMmpX76S
— Rex Chapman???????? (@RexChapman) July 25, 2022
I feel so fortunate that I had a chance to work with the great Paul Sorvino. And now I am so sad to read of his passing. Not only was he kind, he was so talented and so giving as an actor. I am sending my love to Mira and the rest of the family. He will definitely be missed. RIP. pic.twitter.com/bgnSMEXPJc
— Marlee Matlin (@MarleeMatlin) July 25, 2022
Paul Sorvino: a man who always understood the assignment. pic.twitter.com/65PvY88JTD
— Joanna Robinson (@jowrotethis) July 25, 2022
RIP Paul Sorvino! You were a great memorable actor ❤️❤️???????????????? pic.twitter.com/JdpprFE5eQ
— Viola Davis (@violadavis) July 25, 2022
I am brokenhearted… I lost my good friend Paul Sorvino, a true renaissance man. Actor, Writer, Director, opera singer, sculptor… He was one of a kind… Rest in peace my friend, the world will miss you. pic.twitter.com/beo2xAtBVd
— Chazz Palminteri (@chazzpalminteri) July 25, 2022
James Caan, Ray Liotta, Tony Sirico, and now Paul Sorvino?!
— Yashar Ali ???? (@yashar) July 25, 2022
Enough! pic.twitter.com/yA0uL68gac
favorite paul sorvino moment is hands down when mira dedicated her oscar win to him and he instantly turned into a puddle ???? rip my sensitive king pic.twitter.com/476kwPJFZy
— keaton kilde (@keatonkildebell) July 25, 2022
A true artist at heart, Sorvino wanted to be remembered for more than the characters he played:
“Most people think I’m either a gangster or a cop or something, but the reality is I’m a sculptor, a painter, a best-selling author, many, many things — a poet, an opera singer, but none of them is gangster, but, you know, obviously I sort of have a knack for playing these things,” he said in a 2014 interview with Orlando Weekly.
Sorvino is survived by his wife Dee Dee, three children: Mira, Michael, and Amanda from his first marriage with Lorraine Davis, and five grandchildren.
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