Paul Sorvino Of 'Goodfellas' Dead At 83

INDIANA — Paul Sorvino, of "Goodfellas" and "Law & Order" fame, died Monday. The 83-year-old died in Indiana of natural causes, the Associated Press reported.

“I am completely devastated,” Sorvino's wife, Dee Dee Sorvino, said Monday in a Facebook post. “The love of my life & the most wonderful man who has ever lived is gone. I am heartbroken.”

Born in Brooklyn in 1939, Paul Sorvino’s first love was opera, before he went on to an expansive career in film, television and theater, according to the Internet Movie Database. Among his most memorable roles were those of mobster Paul Cicero in 1990’s “Goodfellas” and Sgt. Phil Cerreta in the early years of “Law & Order.”

Other notable roles include Henry Kissinger in 1995’s “Nixon” and Fulgencio Capulet in 1996’s “Romeo + Juliet.” More recently, Sorvino played another mobster, Frank Costello, in the crime drama “Godfather of Harlem,” which ran from 2019 to 2021.

In addition to being an accomplished actor himself, Sorvino was the father of Academy Award-winning actress Mira Sorvino, as well as two other children, Michael and Amanda Sorvino.

“My father the great Paul Sorvino has passed,” Mira Sorvino said Monday in a tweet. “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.”

Many on social media remembered Paul Sorvino as a fiercely loving father who became overcome with emotion as Mira Sorvino thanked him during her 1996 Oscar acceptance speech, and who was not shy about sharing his anger toward Harvey Weinstein with TMZ when he learned Weinstein was accused of blacklisting his daughter after she rejected Weinstein's advances.

Sorvino, who was married to Lorraine Davis and Vanessa Arico prior to Dee Dee Sorvino, was preceded in death by "Goodfellas" costars Ray Liotta and Tony Sirico, who died in May and July, respectively. James Caan, another actor known for his work in an iconic mobster movie, played Sonny Corleone in "The Godfather" and died in July.

"The amazing Paul Sorvino has passed," actor Jason Alexander, of "Seinfeld" fame, said in a tweet. "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."

RELATED LINKS

• 'Sopranos' Star Tony Sirico Dies At 79
• Ray Liotta, Known For Role In 'Goodfellas,' Dies At 67: Reports
• James Caan, Legendary 'Godfather' Actor, Dies At 82