Paul Sorvino dies: Goodfellas actor and father of Mira Sorvino passes away at 83

Paul Sorvino, who starred as Paul Cicero in Goodfellas and Sergeant Phil Cerreta on the Law & Order TV series, has passed away at 83. Sorvino died on Monday of natural causes after suffering health issues for the past few years. His publicist, Roger Neal, announced the actor’s passing on behalf of Sorvino’s wife Dee Dee Sorvino, who was at his side when the time came to leave this world. In addition to being a beloved actor, Sorvino was also the father of actress Mira Sorvino.

“Our hearts are broken,” said Dee Dee Sorvino in a statement. “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.”

Paul Anthony Sorvino came into this world on April 13, 1939, in Brooklyn, New York. In addition to Goodfellas and Law & Order, Sorvino appeared in various film projects, including Nixon, Dick Tracy, The Rocketeer, For the Love of Money, Romeo + Juliet, Perfume, Godfather of Harlem, and more. He was also a performer on Broadway and appeared in the stage production of That Championship Season.

Sorvino worked as an advertising copywriter while attending the American Musical and Dramatic Academy before acting in the 1964 Broadway musical Bajour. Six years later, he started appearing in films, with his first role being in Carl Reiner’s Where’s Poppa. Sorvino’s list of acting credits is enormous, though he’s famously known for starring as Paul Cicero, aka Big Pauly, in Martin Scorsese’s mob classic Goodfellas. Fans of procedural programs know him as Det. Philip Cerreta, the partner of Chris Noth’s Detective Mike Logan. Cerreta starred in the show for 31 episodes before being wounded in the line of duty.

Sorvino founded the Paul Sorvino Asthma Foundation and, alongside his wife Dee Dee, co-wrote the book Pinot, Pasta, and Parties. Sorvino’s surviving family includes his wife Dee Dee, his children, Mira, Amanda, and Michael, and his five grandchildren.

We’re big fans of Mr. Sorvino and would like to extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and fans. We’re happy to share in the legacy Mr. Sorvino leaves behind and wish him safe passage to the Great Hereafter.