Paul Sorvino, the imposing and amiable actor best known for his role in Martin Scorsese’s 1990 film Goodfellas, died Monday morning of natural causes with his wife, Dee Dee Sorvino, at his side. He was 83.
“Our hearts are broken,” Dee Dee said in a statement provided to EW by Sorvino’s publicist, Roger Neal. “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.”
Dee Dee also shared the news over social media. “I am completely devastated,” she wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of the couple. “The love of my life & the most wonderful man who has ever lived is gone. I am heartbroken #iloveyousomuch #paulsorvino #sweetheart #husband #loveofmylife.”
According to Neal, Sorvino suffered with health issues over the past few years.
Oscar-winning actress Mira Sorvino, the actor’s daughter, had just commemorated her father’s 83rd birthday this past April. “A very Happy Birthday to my father Paul Sorvino,” she wrote on Twitter at the time. “I miss you so much and hope to be together in person very soon!”
Mira shared a statement on Twitter on Monday, after the news of Sorvino’s passing broke. “My father the great Paul Sorvino has passed,” she wrote. “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.”
Born April 13, 1939 in Brooklyn, Sorvino starred in films like Goodfellas, Nixon, Dick Tracy, The Rocketeer, and For the Love of Money. He also appeared on television, notably as a star of Law & Order.
Sorvino received critical praise on the stage as well, earning Tony and Drama Desk nominations in 1973 for his turn as Phil Romano in the Pulitzer Prize-winning play That Championship Season. He later reprised his role from that production in the 1999 Showtime TV movie of the same name — which he also directed.
Sorvino started his career as an advertising copywriter. He decided to go into theater after attending the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, making his Broadway debut in 1964 with the musical Bajour.