Paul Sorvino | April 13, 1939 – July 25, 2022 A True Renaissance Man Celebrated

By Nicole Goesseringer Muj

Legendary actor, artist and author, loving husband and father, loyal friend, military veteran, mentor to many with a larger than life personality, Paul Sorvino was celebrated at a special private event held recently in Hollywood. ‘A true Renaissance Man’ was a sentiment that was repeated over and over again during the Celebration of Life Tribute held last year at the Hollywood Museum, organized by the late actor’s wife and partner, Emmy Award-winning actress and TV personality Dee Dee Sorvino.

Joining Dee Dee in the tribute were Joe Mantegna, Sorvino’s daughter Amanda and granddaughter Claudia, Lainie Kazan, E! founder

Larry Namer, Vincent De Paul, representatives from the American Legion Post 43, and many others. Special video messages were sent by Martin Scorsese, Robert De Niro, Chaz Palminteri, Chris Tucker, Chris Noth, Carol Alt, John Voight, Steve Schirripa, Ben Mankiewicz, Piers Morgan, and Renée Taylor. The Honor Guard performed military honors for the Vietnam-era Army veteran.

Dee Dee, who vowed to give her dear husband an extra special send-off, commented, “Paul wanted to go out like a star, and that’s what he’s gonna do. He just never wanted anybody to feel bad because of him. He wanted people to celebrate his life.”

Brooklyn born Paul Sorvino has appeared in nearly 200 films, a variety of television shows, and Broadway productions. Best known for his portrayal of tough guys, Sorvino portrayed Paul Cicero in Goodfellas, police chief Captain Edelson in Cruising, and Detective Phil Cerrato on Law and Order. He also played such memorable characters as Henry Kissinger in Oliver Stone’s Nixon , Fulgencio Capulet in Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet and Lips Manlis in Warren Beatty’s Dick Tracy . Most recently, he starred in the critically acclaimed TV series Godfather of Harlem. An operatic tenor and a man of many talents, he has performed at Lincoln Center and is an internationally known sculptor. He was the founder of the Paul Sorvino Asthma Foundation. Sorvino received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2018 Mr. & Miss India America Pageant & Elite Awards. He was the father of three adult children Mira, Amanda, and Michael, along with five grandchildren.

Paul Sorvino has been named the French Riviera Film Festival’s 2023 ICON Award recipient, which will be presented to Dee Dee on Oscar night.