Paul Sorvino
Paul Sorvino
Birth name:
Place of birth:
Place of death:
Roles:
Character(s):
Sorvino was perhaps best recognized for his role as Paul Cicero inGoodfellas (1990, featuringMike Starr). That same year, he played doomed villain Lips Manlis inDick Tracy. This film also featuredTrek alumniColm Meaney,Seymour Cassel,Ian Wolfe,John Schuck,Hamilton Camp,Kathy Bates,Michael J. Pollard,Robert Costanzo,Chuck Hicks,Mike Hagerty,Ed McCready,Bert Remsen andWalker Edmiston.
Sorvino was also known for his one-and-a-half-year stint as Sergeant Phil Cerreta onLaw & Order, with his last nine episodes coming in the third season, one of two in whichCarolyn McCormick's otherwise recurring character was a credited cast member. His character's career on the show was started and ended by characters played by fellowNext Generation guest stars –Vyto Ruginis played the Mob-connected construction worker who murdered the detective Cerreta replaced, whileMark Margolis portrayed the arms dealer who shoots Cerreta in a sting gone bad; he survives, but his injuries cause him to retire from street duty (episode "Point of View").
Although originally aspiring to become an opera singer, Sorvino built a solid career in films and in television from 1970 onwards. He starred inCBS'We'll Get By in 1975, after which he played the title role inBert D'Angelo/Superstar (1976). In 1977, he was seen inNBC'sSeventh Avenue, along withBrock Peters andWilliam Windom.
Sorvino played a reverend inOh, God! (1977, starringGeorge Burns, withTerri Garr,Jeff Corey,William Daniels,Clyde Kusatsu andDavid Ogden Stiers). In 1979, he co-starred with a youngLeVar Burton inDummy (1979, featuringStar Trek: Insurrection actorGregg Henry). Sorvino and Burton both went on to appear in the 1994 TV movieParallel Lives.
In 1980, Sorvino starred opposite Al Pacino and fellowNext Generation guest actorRichard Cox inCruising. The following year, Sorvino had a major role inReds, withWilliam Daniels,Nicolas Coster, Ian Wolfe,Simon Jones andJerry Hardin. In 1983, Sorvino worked withKeith Carradine andStephen Collins in CBS'Chiefs. In 1985, Sorvino appeared (as himself) inTurk 182 (which co-starredKim Cattrall andTucker Smallwood). During the 1987-88 television season, Sorvino and fellowNext Generation guest actorPatrick Cronin were regulars on CBS'The Oldest Rookie.
Sorvino co-starred with fellowNext Generation guest starTerry O'Quinn inThe Rocketeer (1991, starringBilly Campbell, withStar Trek: Deep Space Nine actorsTiny Ron andMax Grodénchik andClint Howard). In 1995, Sorvino gave a memorable performance as Henry Kissinger inNixon.Star Trek: Voyager starRobert Beltran appeared as one of theWatergate burglars. The movie also featuredSaul Rubinek,Tony Plana,David Paymer,Bill Bolender,Victor Rivers andWilson Cruz. Sorvino's subsequent motion picture credits includeRomeo + Juliet (1996),Money Talks (1997),Bulworth (1998),The Cooler (2007),See Spot Run (2007),Mr. 3000, andRepo! The Genetic Opera (2008). Sorvino also lent his voice toHey Arnold!: The Movie (2002, withChristopher Lloyd andVincent Schiavelli).
In 2000, Sorvino appeared inThe Amati Girls, which featuredVoyager starRobert Picardo. That same year, Sorvino began starring in CBS'That's Life, which ran through 2002.Titus Welliver had a recurring role on this series. Sorvino then had a recurring role in CBS'Still Standing, playing the father of the central character.
In addition to his work in film and television, Sorvino was also an accomplished stage actor. Among his most notable stage works was his performance in the Broadway production,That Championship Season, for which he won a Drama Desk Award in 1972 and was nominated for a Tony Award in 1973.