Actor Paul Sorvino passes away at 83, fans express condolences
Though he was known for playing the roles of gangsters, he said that his real passion lay in poetry, painting and opera.
New Delhi: Popular Hollywood actor Paul Sorvino died at the age of 83. His publicist Roger Neal told that he died of natural causes on Monday morning in Indiana. He was known for playing the character of Paul Cicero in Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas (1990).
“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,” his wife, Dee Dee Sorvino, said in a statement.
Early life
Sorvino was born in Brooklyn in 1939. His mother taught piano and his father was a foreman in a robe factory. He is known to be inclined toward music from a young age and also attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York where he fell for the theatre. Though he was known for playing the roles of gangsters, he said that his real passion lay in poetry, painting and opera.
Acting career
He made his debut in films with Carl Reiner’s ‘Where’s Poppa?’ in 1970, six years after he made his Broadway debut. Later on, in that decade, he acted alongside Al Pacino in The Panic in Needle Park and with James Caan in The Gambler. Sorvino got to play a romantic lead in John G. Avildsen’s ‘Slow Dancing in the Big City’, where he used his dance training opposite professional ballerina Anne Ditchburn.
The role he is most popular for, came in 1990 when he played Paul Cicero Goodfellas. He also went on to do television. He also directed and starred in a film written by his daughter Amanda Sorvino and featuring his son Michael Sorvino.
His fans and family are expressing their condolences on social media.
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
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
Paul Sorvino has passed away at the age of 83. Rest In Peace…pic.twitter.com/ImpMmpX76S
— Rex Chapman?? (@RexChapman) July 25, 2022
Fans are remembering the actors who were known to play Italian-American mobsters along with Sorvino.
James Caan, Ray Liotta, Tony Sirico, & now Paul Sorvino? Losing all these wonderful actors who played iconic gangsters is too much all at once.
Rest well Paul Sorvino. He also taught the world how to slice garlic with a razor blade like a true Boss. “It’s a very good system”. pic.twitter.com/1ZHTIOgf03— Vintage Los Angeles (@alisonmartino) July 25, 2022