Hollywood stars were heartbroken over the news of Paul Sorvino’s death on Monday and took to social media to pay tribute to the late actor.
Sorvino, the father of Oscar-winning actress Mira Sorvino, died Monday of natural causes at the age of 83, his wife, Dee Dee, announced. Publicist Roger Neal said he died at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida.
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“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,” Dee Dee said.
Throughout his career Sorvino starred in a myriad of projects including The Gambler (1974), Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo and Juliet (1996), Oliver Stone’s Nixon (1995) and in The Cooler (2003). Other notable roles include The Panic in Needle Park (1971), William Friedkin’s The Brink’s Job (1978), The Rocketeer (1991) and The Firm (1993).
Sorvino received a Tony nomination and a Drama Desk Award for his performance in the original Broadway production of Jason Miller’s That Championship Season in 1973. He later starred in and helmed his only feature, The Trouble With Cali (2012). Sorvino joined NBC’s Law & Order for a season and starred as Det. Phil Cerretta.
Sorvino’s most recognized role is his portrayal of Paul Cicero in GoodFellas (1990).
In a tribute shared on social media, Mira Sorvino wrote, “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.”
Sorvino’s death follows the recent passings of his Goodfellas co-star Ray Liotta and Godfather star James Caan. In her tribute, Dianne Warren remembered the legendary actors: “Ray Liotta, James Caan and now Paul Sorvino, we can be pretty sure there’s a badass Goodfellas/Godfather mashup movie being made in Heaven right now!”
Some of Sorvino’s co-stars paid tribute to the actor. Ralph Macchio remembered his Lost Cat Corona co-star as “one of the truest and honest actors I had had the pleasure of working with and getting to know.” Forest Whitaker also shared a tribute to his Godfather of Harlem co-star writing, “It was very special to get to sit quietly with the great Paul Sorvino, talking through the games of life. I’m sending much comfort and love to his family, and wish them all eternal blessings, love, and light.” Meanwhile, Marlee Matlin, who starred alongside Sorvino in the 2013 film 4Closed, wrote, “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.”
Others who took to social media to remember the legendary actor include Jason Alexander, who wrote, “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.” Rosanna Arquette wrote, “I’m so very sorry for Mira and her family’s loss of their kind and lovely papa Paul Sorvino. May he Rest In Peace.”
Below are more tributes.
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
Ray Liotta,James Caan and now Paul Sorvino, we can be pretty sure there’s a badass Goodfellas/Godfather mashup movie being made in Heaven right now! ????????
— Diane Warren (@Diane_Warren) July 25, 2022
The great Paul Sorvino. So many memorable roles in in so many genres. #RIP to a one of the truest and honest actors I had had the pleasure of working with and getting to know. pic.twitter.com/RKeVeBiv76
— Ralph Macchio (@ralphmacchio) July 25, 2022
It was very special to get to sit quietly with the great Paul Sorvino, talking through the games of life. I’m sending much comfort and love to his family, and wish them all eternal blessings, love, and light. pic.twitter.com/0Ea3uh7gZI
— Forest Whitaker (@ForestWhitaker) 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
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
I am so sorry to hear that Paul Sorvino has passed. Such a passionate & soulful actor, who gave the world legendary performances. My thoughts are with his family. Rest in peace Sir. https://t.co/TEgPXIRVYz
— Marg Helgenberger (@MargHelgen) July 25, 2022
I’m soooo sad to hear about
Paul Sorvino????????????. I was in my 1st movie in 1979 with him and my great friend @levarburton – I was just 15 …I remember being SO nervous but I just recall him being so nice and lovely to me
A GREAT man. Rest In Peace???????????? https://t.co/1HUflCwpFH pic.twitter.com/YTlnPIM6BK— Holly Robinson Peete ????????♍️ (@hollyrpeete) July 25, 2022
Oh no ,I’m so very sorry for Mira and her family’s loss of their kind and lovely papa Paul Sorvino. May he Rest In Peace.
— ✌????rosanna arquette (@RoArquette) July 25, 2022
Sad to hear about Paul Sorvino passing #RIPPaulSorvino a very good character especially Goodfellas and the Gambler a couple that standout to me!
— Big Nick Turturro (@NickTurturro1) July 25, 2022
Dearest Mira,
I am sending you my deepest condolences on the loss of your beautiful father Paul Sorvino. I have always admired the love and respect that you have for each other. It touched me so very much. I admired him greatly as an actor, and a human being. #RIPPaulSorvino ❤️— Maureen McCormick (@MoMcCormick7) July 25, 2022
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
We remember the beloved @sagaftra actor Paul Sorvino who commanded the screen as Paulie Cicero in GOODFELLAS, and whose career spanned a half-century, including roles in THE GAMBLER, NIXON, and THE COOLER.
We send our love to his friends and family: https://t.co/tyFyFCsGsa
— SAG-AFTRA Foundation (@sagaftraFOUND) July 25, 2022
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