This week marked yet another entry into an especially bad year for Hollywood gangsters as it was announced Paul Sorvino had passed away at the age of 83.
Sorvino was known for many roles — playing characters on both sides of the law throughout his career — but it’s safe to say that most know the legendary actor from his role as “Paulie,” the mild-mannered, extremely powerful mafia leader from Goodfellas.
NEW YORK (AP) — Paul Sorvino, who acted on both sides of the law in ‘Goodfellas’ and on ‘Law & Order,’ has died at age 83. pic.twitter.com/Da0Es6W6RB
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) July 25, 2022
Given his long list of amazing accomplishments in both television and cinema, it’s no surprise that tributes to Sorvino began rolling in within minutes of the announcement of his death, which was made by his daughter, Mira Sorvino, herself an actress.
“My father the great Paul Sorvino has passed. 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,” Mira Sorvino tweeted.
Sorvino’s death came in the wake of the death of three other famous television and movie gangsters, including Ray Liotta, James Caan, and most recently, Paulie Gualtieri, who played “Paulie Walnuts” on HBO’s mobster mega-hit, The Sopranos.
Ray Liotta,James Caan and now Paul Sorvino, we can be pretty sure there’s a badass Goodfellas/Godfather mashup movie being made in Heaven right now! 🎬💔
— Diane Warren (@Diane_Warren) July 25, 2022
As well as his acting work, we should salute Paul Sorvino for starting a dog adoption organisation with his daughter Amanda in 2002 that they called – yes – DogFellas. pic.twitter.com/g3almKmg1E
— Nick de Semlyen (@NickdeSemlyen) July 25, 2022
In addition to his wife, Sorvino is survived by children Mira, Amanda and Michael, and 5 grandchildren.