Bio: Tall, dark and imposing American actor Paul Sorvino made a solid career of portraying authority figures.He was born in Brooklyn, New York City. His mother, Angela (Renzi), was a piano teacher, of Italian descent. His father, Ford Sorvino, was an Italian immigrant who worked in a robe factory as a foreman. Paul originally had his heart set on a life as an opera singer. He was exposed to dramatic arts while studying at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York. He furthered his studies with Sanford Meisner and eventually made his film debut in Where's Poppa? (1970).Sorvino suffered from severe asthma, and worked hard at mastering various breathing techniques to manage the illness. He wrote a best-selling book entitled "How to Become a Former Asthmatic". He also started the Sorvino Asthma Foundation based in New York City.Sorvino appeared in a variety of film, TV, and theatrical productions over five decades. He received critical praise for his role in the Broadway play "That Championship Season", and played the role again in the 1981 film alongside Robert Mitchum and Martin Sheen. Other noteworthy performances during the 1980s and 1990s included a stressed-out police chief in Cruising (1980), Mike Hammer's cop buddy in I, the Jury (1982), Lips Manlis in Dick Tracy (1990) with James Caan and in a standout performance as mob patriarch Paul Cicero in the powerhouse Goodfellas (1990).Always keeping himself busy, Sorvino performed over 100 theatrical movies and over 30 TV movies throughout his career, including a dynamic and under-appreciated portrayal of Henry Kissinger in Nixon (1995), as "Fulgencio Capulet" in the updated Romeo + Juliet (1996) and in the Las Vegas thriller The Cooler (2003). At the time of his death in 2022, there were three more films in which he appeared yet to be released, including The Ride in which he worked alongside his wife Dee Dee Sorvino.Sorvino was the proud father of Academy Award-winning actress Mira Sorvino.
Tivia: An enthusiastic opera singer, painter, sculptor and cook.Father of actress Mira Sorvino, Amanda Sorvino and Michael Sorvino.His budding career was threatened when asthma compromised his ability to talk and sing. But the breathing exercises he learned allowed him to breathe normally.In 1993, he founded the Paul Sorvino Asthma Foundation, with the goal of building asthma centers for children and adults across the United States.Italian-American, with ancestry from Vomero, Naples, Campania, and Casacalenda, Province of Campobasso, Molise.Founded the Dogfellas Dog Adoption organization in February of 2002 with his family. It is based in Manhattan and Pennsylvania.Founder of Paul Sorvino Foods, an international food company.Spoke fluent Italian.In July 2004, he was awarded the "Premio per gli Italiani nel Mondo" at a ceremony in Rome. The prize is distributed by the Marzio Tremaglia Foundation and the Italian government to Italian emigrants and their descendants who have distinguished themselves abroad. At the ceremony, he performed the Neapolitan song "Torna a Surriento" with tenor Andrea Bocelli.Had severe asthma. Started the Sorvino Asthma Foundation.Recovering with only minor bruises, after being hit by a car in Manhattan on October 7, 2011, while hailing a cab.Currently resides in Gilbert, Pennsylvania. (March 2006)He appeared in three films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: A Touch of Class (1973), Reds (1981) and Goodfellas (1990).Was nominated for Broadway's 1973 Tony Award as Best Actor (Dramatic) for Jason Miller's "That Championship Season."A graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy.Ranked #10 on Tropopkin's Top 25 Most Intriguing People [Issue #100]Father-in-law of Christopher Backus.Appeared in movies with former Law & Order (1990) castmates on two occasions: with Steven Hill in The Firm (1993) and with Chris Noth in Mr. 3000 (2004).Was named as "King of Brooklyn" at the "Welcome Back to Brooklyn" festival in 1993.Uncle of Bill Sorvino.Died a few weeks after two of his co-stars from unrelated 1990 movies: James Caan (from Dick Tracy) and Tony Sirico (from Goodfellas).Attended Brooklyn's Lafayette High School with Larry King.He worked with seven Oscar-winning directors: Mike Nichols (The Day of the Dolphin (1973)), John G. Avildsen (Cry Uncle (1971), Slow Dancing in the Big City (1978)), William Friedkin (The Brink's Job (1978), Cruising (1980)), Warren Beatty (Reds (1981), Dick Tracy (1990), Bulworth (1998)), Martin Scorsese (Goodfellas (1990)), Sydney Pollack (The Firm (1993)) and Oliver Stone (Nixon (1995)).Passed away in the same month, just 19 days after his The Gambler (1974) and Dick Tracy (1990) co-star James Caan.Shares birthday with Ron Perlman.