Paul Sorvino, Star Of Goodfellas, Has Passed Away
Paul Sorvino passed away at the age of 80 years old, his family announced to the media world. The legendary actor leaves behind a legacy that includes his great role in Goodfellas.
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Martin Scorcese is one of the greatest film directors of all time and is hands down the number one gangster movie director. He brought a long list of actors to our screens as the big faces in mob lore. Paul Sorvino was one of the most significant and memorable people he brought to light. His immense presence and ability to command respect and admiration, through silent moments, made him an actor who can hugely impact a film with limited screen time and a few lines. Fans of the legendary actor received dreadful news.
According to his publicist, Roger Neal, Paul Sorvino died from natural causes in his home. Despite working regularly, the 83-year-old actor has suffered numerous health issues over the past few years. His wife, Dee Dee Sorvino, was by his side. He is also survived by Dee Dee and his three children with Lorraine Davis, Michael, Amanda, and Oscar-winning actress, Mira Sorvino. Deadline reported the story. Dee Dee Sorvino said in a statement that their family is devastated, claiming there will never be another Paul Sorvino.
Paul Sorvino made a name for himself on stage and on the screen for 20 years before Scorcese put him on the big screen for us all to see. He started with Rob Reiner’s cult classic, Where’s Poppa, in 1970 and received a Tony nomination for his run on stage in The Championship Season. In 1990, he starred as Big Pauley in Scorsese’s Goodfellas. Alongside powerhouses like Ray Liotta, Joe Pesci, Robert DeNiro, and Lorraine Bracco. However, most of his time was spent in silence, as his character never genuinely needed dialogue to portray authority.
He had memorable scenes in the film that endeared him to the viewers even without being a large part. He sat alongside Ray Liotta in prison and had dinner with other inmates as if they were still on the outside. His goodbye moment with Liotta’s character near the end of the film only contained a few words but portrayed a love for the man while cutting him loose. He also appeared opposite Tom Cruise in a pivotal scene in the thriller, The Firm. Again, playing a gangster, Paul Sorvino took on the more vocal role of the two in the room. His range was proven repeatedly throughout his career.
His other notable works include the character Lips Manlis in the Warren Beaty-led Dick Tracy, Eddie Valentine in Rocketeer, and Sergeant Phil Cerreta in the first two seasons of Law & Order. Paul Sorvino also showed immense range when he appeared as Henry Kissinger in Nixon and put his acting chops to work in the Leonardo DiCaprio-led Romeo+Juliet. His most recent hit was as Frank Costello in the Forest Whitaker prequel to American Gangster, Godfather of Harlem. While he is the second Goodfellas actor to pass this summer, he is a talent that continued to flourish long after the film’s success. The world lost an incredible talent and actor. However, Paul Sorvino’s works are still available to be seen on many streaming services.
