Paul Sorvino, Goodfella’s Star, Tough-Guy Icon, Passes Away At 83

Paul Sorvino, a legendary Hollywood character actor who often played tough guys and criminals, has passed away at age 83.

I am completely devastated
The love of my life & the most wonderful man who has ever lived is gone . I am heartbroken ❤️❤️❤️ pic.twitter.com/0wBSG3uTgD

— Dee Dee Sorvino (@deedeegop) July 25, 2022

Sorvino was born in Brooklyn, New York, and trained as an opera singer and sculptor in addition to film and stage acting. Paul is the father of Academy Award-winning actress Mira Sorvino.

NEW YORK (AP) — Paul Sorvino, who acted on both sides of the law in ‘Goodfellas’ and on ‘Law & Order,’ has died at age 83. pic.twitter.com/Da0Es6W6RB

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) July 25, 2022

Paul Sorvino’s Best Work

Sorvino’s best-known role was as crime boss Paul Cicero in Goodfellas, but he played many great roles throughout his 50-year career.

Paul Sorvino has passed away at the age of 83. Rest In Peace…pic.twitter.com/ImpMmpX76S

— Rex Chapman🏇🏼 (@RexChapman) July 25, 2022

Before Goodfellas, Sorvino starred in The Panic in Needle Park, The Gambler, Reds, and Cruising.
Following the success of Goodfellas, Sorvino starred in Law & Order for 31 episodes as Detective Phil Cerreta. Other television roles included a lead in the CBS series That’s Life and as Luciano crime boss Frank Costello in Godfather of Harlem opposite Forest Whittaker.

I first met Sorvino in the extremely underrated Rocketeer, where he played gangster Eddie Valentine. He uttered one of my favorite lines in movies:

You can’t talk about the legacy of Paul Sorvino without citing his delivery of one of the greatest lines ever in The Rocketeer… pic.twitter.com/eKYLD5qPBY

— Jackson Boren (@JacksonBoren) July 25, 2022

He was also excellent in Romeo + Juliet, The Cooler, and Nixon, where he played Henry Kissinger.

World Reacts To Paul Sorvino’s Death

NEW YORK (AP) — Paul Sorvino, who acted on both sides of the law in ‘Goodfellas’ and on ‘Law & Order,’ has died at age 83. pic.twitter.com/Da0Es6W6RB

— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) July 25, 2022

Thank you, Paul Sorvino.

Rest easy. pic.twitter.com/CExOORdOLM

— Canadian Forces in 🇺🇸 (@CAFinUS) July 25, 2022

His most enduring legacy may be how he taught everyone to slide garlic.

It’s a very good system. RIP Paul Sorvino pic.twitter.com/e2OzdOnrOH

— David Dayen (@ddayen) July 25, 2022

Sorvino made some not-so-veiled threats against Harvey Weinstein after learning the producer sexually assaulted and blackmailed his daughter.

RIP Paul Sorvino 🙏…while everyone is posting Goodfellas clips here he is on Harvey Weinstein harassing and blacklisting his daughter Mira pic.twitter.com/vpaHqZVzkN

— Wu-Tang Is For The Children (@WUTangKids) July 25, 2022

R.I.P. Paul Sorvino, another king gone. An actor who brought so much to every role, including wonderful turns in William Friedkin’s Cruising and The Brink’s Job, among many others. pic.twitter.com/AhzejAHbR0

— William Friedkin Truths (@LazlosGhost) July 25, 2022

A man of many talents.

Paul Sorvino, who played Paulie Cicero in Goodfellas, and NYPD Sergeant Phil Cerreta on Law & Order, has died at the age of 83.
He was also a deputy sheriff, ran a horse rescue facility, sculpted in his spare time, sung on Eddy Napoli’s album, and launched pasta sauces. pic.twitter.com/HiAsblOfSO

— Eric Alper 🎧 (@ThatEricAlper) July 25, 2022

We’re losing a generation of terrific “criminal” actors.

James Caan, Ray Liotta, Tony Sirico, and now Paul Sorvino?!

Enough! pic.twitter.com/yA0uL68gac

— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) July 25, 2022