Paul Sorvino, a towering figure in the American film and theater industry, built a reputation for portraying authoritative characters with remarkable consistency. Born in the vibrant city of Brooklyn, New York, Sorvino was the son of Angela (Renzi),a piano teacher of Italian descent, and Ford Sorvino, an Italian immigrant who worked as a foreman in a robe factory.
Sorvino's early life was marked by a passion for opera singing, and he even studied at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. He further honed his craft under the guidance of Sanford Meisner, before making his film debut in the 1970 comedy "Where's Poppa?".
Despite suffering from severe asthma, Sorvino worked tirelessly to develop breathing techniques to manage his condition. He even wrote a bestselling book, "How to Become a Former Asthmatic", and founded the Sorvino Asthma Foundation in New York City.
Throughout his illustrious career, spanning over five decades, Sorvino appeared in a wide range of film, television, and theatrical productions. He received critical acclaim for his role in the Broadway play "That Championship Season", which he reprised in the 1981 film alongside Robert Mitchum and Martin Sheen.
The 1980s and 1990s saw Sorvino deliver some of his most memorable performances, including a stressed-out police chief in "Cruising" (1980),a cop buddy to Mike Hammer in "I, the Jury" (1982),and a standout role as mob patriarch Paul Cicero in the iconic "Goodfellas" (1990).
In addition to his film work, Sorvino was a prolific stage actor, performing in over 100 theatrical productions and 30 television movies. Some of his notable roles include a dynamic portrayal of Henry Kissinger in "Nixon" (1995),a memorable performance as "Fulgencio Capulet" in the updated "Romeo + Juliet" (1996),and a standout role in the Las Vegas thriller "The Cooler" (2003).
At the time of his passing in 2022, Sorvino had three more films scheduled for release, including the thriller "The Ride" (2022),in which he starred alongside his wife, Dee Dee Sorvino.
Sorvino was also the proud father of Academy Award-winning actress Mira Sorvino, a testament to his enduring legacy in the world of entertainment.
