![]() ![]() In 1998, he narrated the series The Big House for The History Channel. Sorvino founded the Paul Sorvino Asthma Foundation, intending to build asthma centers for children and adults across the United States. In addition to Goodfellas, Sorvino also played mob bosses Eddie Valentine in The Rocketeer and Tony Morolto in The Firm. Some of his most notable film roles were caporegime Paul Cicero in Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas (1990) and Henry Kissinger in Oliver Stone's Nixon (1995). He had earlier appeared as Bruce Willis' father in the weekly series Moonlighting and the "Lamont" counterpart in the never-aired original pilot for Sanford and Son. In 1993, Sorvino substituted for Raymond Burr in a Perry Mason TV movie, The Case of the Wicked Wives. Cerreta is shot in the line of duty and transferred to an administrative position in another precinct. Sorvino's exit from the series came in an episode in which Sgt. Sorvino initially was excited about the role but left after 29 episodes, citing the exhausting schedule demanded by the filming of the show, a need to broaden his horizons, and the desire to preserve his vocal cords for singing opera. In 1991, Sorvino took on the role of Sergeant Phil Cerreta (replacing actor George Dzundza in a new role) on the popular series Law & Order. Sorvino also helped found the American Stage Company, a group that launched several successful Off-Broadway shows, in 1986. He appeared in Larry Cohen's 1985 horror film The Stuff as a reclusive militia leader, alongside future Law & Order co-star Michael Moriarty. In 1981, Sorvino played the role of Italian-American communist Louis C. ![]() He also directed Wheelbarrow Closers, a 1976 Broadway play by Louis La Russo II, which starred Danny Aiello. He starred in the weekly series We'll Get By (1975, as George Platt), Bert D'Angelo/Superstar (1976, in the title role), and The Oldest Rookie (1987, as Detective Ike Porter). He also appeared in the 1976 Elliott Gould/ Diane Keaton vehicle I Will, I Will. In It Couldn't Happen to a Nicer Guy (1974), he played Harry Walters, a real estate salesman randomly picked up by a beautiful woman ( JoAnna Cameron) and raped at gunpoint as a prank. He appeared in another George Segal-starring film with a prominent supporting role in the Academy Award-winning romantic comedy A Touch of Class (1973). Sorvino received critical praise for his performance as Phil Romano in Jason Miller's 1972 Broadway play That Championship Season, a role he repeated in the 1982 film version. In 1971, he played a supporting role in Jerry Schatzberg's critically acclaimed The Panic in Needle Park, starring Al Pacino and Kitty Winn. He made his Broadway debut in the 1964 musical Bajour, and six years later he appeared in his first film, Carl Reiner's Where's Poppa?, starring George Segal and Ruth Gordon. While attending The American Musical and Dramatic Academy, he decided to go into the theatre. Sorvino began his career as a copywriter in an advertising agency. Sorvino attended Lafayette High School (where he was a classmate of painter Peter Max) and the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. His father, Ford Sorvino, was an Italian ( Neapolitan) immigrant who worked in a robe factory as a foreman. His mother, Angela Maria Mattea (née Renzi 1906–1991), was a homemaker and piano teacher of Italian ( Molisan) descent who was born in Connecticut. Sorvino was born on April 13, 1939, and raised in the Bensonhurst section of Brooklyn. He was the father of actors Mira Sorvino and Michael Sorvino. Sorvino was also nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor for the 1972 play That Championship Season, and later starred in film and television adaptations. He took on additional supporting roles in A Touch of Class (1973), Reds (1981), The Rocketeer (1991), Nixon (1995, as Henry Kissinger), and The Cooler (2003).Īlthough usually cast in dramatic supporting roles, he had occasional leads in films including Bloodbrothers (1978), and also in comedic roles including his turn as a bombastic Southern evangelist in Carl Reiner's Oh, God! (1977). ![]() ![]() He also played a variety of father figures, including Juliet's father in Baz Luhrmann's 1996 film Romeo + Juliet, as well as guest appearances as the father of Bruce Willis' character on the TV series Moonlighting and the father of Jeff Garlin's character on The Goldbergs. Sorvino was particularly known for his roles as Lucchese crime family caporegime Paulie Cicero (based on real life gangster Paul Vario) in Martin Scorsese's 1990 gangster film Goodfellas and as NYPD Sergeant Phil Cerreta on the second season of the TV series Law & Order. He often portrayed authority figures on both the criminal and the law enforcement sides of the law. Paul Anthony Sorvino ( / s ɔːr ˈ v iː n oʊ/, Italian: Ap– July 25, 2022) was an American film, television and stage actor. ![]()
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