---
name: "Paul Sorvino"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/paul-sorvino"
fi1m_id: "paul-sorvino"
imdb_id: "nm0000649"
tmdb_id: 7004
wikidata_id: "Q447892"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "13 April 1939"
died: "25 July 2022"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 7
average_fi1m_score: 79
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 6
updated: "2026-10-04T23:01:33.590771+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Paul Sorvino

## Identity

Paul Sorvino

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/paul-sorvino
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** paul-sorvino
- **IMDb ID:** nm0000649
- **TMDB ID:** 7004
- **Wikidata ID:** Q447892
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Sorvino, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q447892, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000649/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7004

Actor. Born 13 April 1939 in Brooklyn, New York, USA. Died 25 July 2022.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 13 April 1939, Brooklyn, New York, USA
- **Died:** 25 July 2022
- **Active:** 1973–1996
- **Also known as:** Paul Anthony Sorvino, پل سوروینو
- **Titles on Fi1m:** 7: 6 acting, 1 other
- **Average Fi1m score:** 79, as actor, over 6 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1970s 66 (1), 1980s 80 (2), 1990s 80 (4)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 84 to 78 across 3 titles
- **Score spread:** 3 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 0 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 6 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 5, Crime 3, Romance 3, Comedy 2, History 1, Mystery 1
- **Screen time:** 9 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $253m across 4 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Sorvino, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q447892, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000649/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/7004

## Streaming the US now

- **Disney+:** [*Romeo + Juliet*](https://film.one/film/romeo-juliet.md) (82), [*Moonlighting*](https://film.one/tv/moonlighting.md) (82)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*Reds*](https://film.one/film/reds.md) (77)
- **Hulu:** [*Law & Order*](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md) (72)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Paul Sorvino

> Paul Sorvino makes quiet authority unsettling. We rate his work in *GoodFellas* especially highly: he holds his place beside louder performers without strain, though the recurring gangsters and policemen can make such careful acting too easy to take for granted.

In *GoodFellas* (1990), Paul Sorvino makes a mob boss's authority seem settled before he has done much to assert it. His Paul Cicero does not compete for attention, and we never mistake that restraint for weakness. We found him unnerving because his quiet delivery suggests a man who expects to be obeyed. Sorvino's imposing size helps, but Martin Scorsese gets more from him by letting him underplay. There is none of the fuss that can make an actor playing a powerful man look anxious about his casting.

By then, Sorvino had been a prolific character actor through the 1970s and 1980s. His work included Phil Romano in the stage production of *That Championship Season* (1972), a part he reprised in the 1982 film. After Cicero came detective Phil Cerreta in *Law & Order* (1991–1992), reinforcing the association with authority on either side of the law. It is easy to see why that casting persisted. The drawback is that a succession of gangsters and policemen can make a carefully judged performance look like a familiar face doing the usual job.

Baz Luhrmann's *Romeo + Juliet* (1996) uses him as Fulgencio Capulet, Juliet's father, keeping that association with authority even in a different sort of film. We recommend its romance warmly, though its noisy interruptions can be frustrating. Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes make Shakespeare's words belong in the modern setting, despite editing that sometimes gives them too little room; Sorvino is part of the supporting company around them.

*GoodFellas* is where that familiar casting produces the richest result in the films we have reviewed. Joe Pesci puts aggression into Tommy DeVito's humour, and Robert De Niro makes James Conway's listening worrying. Sorvino's quiet authority matters just as much to the company, even if it is less likely to be the first thing we notice. We would start there, and give the quiet man as much attention as the loud ones.

## Biography

Paul Sorvino (1939–2022) was an American actor who appeared in film, television and theatre. He was born in Brooklyn, New York, and trained at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. He made his Broadway debut in 1964 and later received acclaim for the play That Championship Season, which he also filmed in 1981.

Sorvino was frequently cast as authority figures on both sides of the law. He played the mob underboss Paul Cicero in Martin Scorsese’s GoodFellas (1990) and NYPD Sergeant Phil Cerreta in the television series Law & Order. Other film roles include Lips Manlis in Dick Tracy (1990), Eddie Valentine in The Rocketeer (1991), Henry Kissinger in Nixon (1995) and Fulgencio Capulet in Romeo + Juliet (1996).

He was the father of actors Mira Sorvino and Michael Sorvino.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com, nytimes.com, apnews.com.*

## On Fi1m (7)

### Performed in (6) — the average rests on these

- *Romeo + Juliet* (1996), Fi1m 82, as Fulgencio Capulet — [page](https://film.one/film/romeo-juliet.md)
- *GoodFellas* (1990), Fi1m 93, as Paul Cicero — [page](https://film.one/film/goodfellas.md)
- *Law & Order* (1990), Fi1m 72, as Phil Cerreta — [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md)
- *Moonlighting* (1985), Fi1m 82, as David Addison Sr. — [page](https://film.one/tv/moonlighting.md)
- *Reds* (1981), Fi1m 77, as Louis Fraina — [page](https://film.one/film/reds.md)
- *A Touch of Class* (1973), Fi1m 66, as Walter Menkes — [page](https://film.one/film/a-touch-of-class.md)

### Also credited (1) — thanks, archive footage, uncredited

- *The Firm* (1993), Fi1m 71, as Tommy Morolto (uncredited) — [page](https://film.one/film/the-firm.md)

## Complete filmography (158)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *Pursued* (2023), as Grandpa
- *The Great American Heist* (2022), as Cheech
- *The Birthday Cake* (2021), as Uncle Carmine
- *Most Guys Are Losers* (2020), as Grandpa Paul
- *Bad Impulse* (2019), as Lou Branch
- *Godfather of Harlem* (2019), series, as Frank Costello
- *Welcome to Acapulco* (2019), as Senator Campbell
- *Beneath the Leaves* (2019), as Captain Parker
- *Acts of Desperation* (2018), as Chief Lassiter
- *Papa* (2018), as Danny
- *Abe & Phil's Last Poker Game* (2018), as Phil
- *Bad Blood* (2017), series, as Nico Rizzuto Sr.
- *Undercover Grandpa* (2017), as Giovanni
- *Price for Freedom* (2017), as Shah of Iran
- *Lost Cat Corona* (2017), as Uncle Sam
- *The Red Maple Leaf* (2017), as Joseph Palermo
- *A Winter Rose* (2016), as Skippy
- *Rules Don't Apply* (2016), as Vernon Scott
- *The Hybrids Family* (2016), as The Count
- *The Brooklyn Banker* (2016), as Benny
- *Executor* (2016), as Father Antonio
- *The Bronx Bull* (2016), as Giuseppe LaMotta
- *Detours* (2016), as Joe DiMaria
- *Chasing Gold* (2016), as Frank
- *The Bandit Hound* (2016), as Chief Burton
- *Kidnapped in Romania* (2016), as Alexandru Damian
- *Alleluia! The Devil's Carnival* (2016), as God
- *Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders* (2016), series, as Dr. Dominico Scarpa
- *As Long As We Both Shall Live* (2016), as Jim
- *Cold Deck* (2015), as Chips
- *Sicilian Vampire* (2015), as Jimmy Scambino
- *Grandfathered* (2015), series, as Jack Martino
- *Careful What You Wish For* (2015), as Sheriff Big Jack
- *No Deposit* (2015), as Alfie
- *A Place for Heroes* (2014), as Vincent
- *Cosmos* (2014), series, as Augustin Mouchot (voice)
- *Immigrant* (2013), as Yeshiva Principal
- *The Goldbergs* (2013), series, as Ben 'Pop Pop' Goldberg
- *4Closed* (2013), as Bud
- *Last I Heard* (2013), as Joe Scoleri
- *How Sweet It Is* (2013), as Big Mike
- *Divorce Invitation* (2012), as Daniel Miller
- *Elementary* (2012), series, as Robert Pardillo
- *Jersey Shore Shark Attack* (2012), as Mayor Palantine
- *For the Love of Money* (2012), as Red Parker
- *Imaginary Friend* (2012), as Jonathan
- *The Devil's Carnival* (2012), as God
- *The Trouble with Cali* (2012), as Ivan · Director
- *God Don't Make the Laws* (2011), as Lewis
- *Kill the Irishman* (2011), as Tony Salerno
- *Santa Baby 2* (2009), as Santa Claus
- *The Wild Stallion* (2009), as Nolan
- *Doc West II : Triggerman* (2009), as Sheriff Roy Basehart
- *Doc West* (2009), as Roy Basehart
- *Repo! The Genetic Opera* (2008), as Rotti Largo
- *Carnera: The Walking Mountain* (2008), as Ledudal
- *Last Hour* (2008), as Maitre Steinfeld
- *Greetings from the Shore* (2007), as Catch Turner
- *Mr. Fix It* (2006), as Wally
- *L'onore e il rispetto* (2006), series, as Beniamino
- *Gangland: Bullets over Hollywood* (2005), Actor
- *Goodnight, Joseph Parker* (2004), as Charlie
- *Jack & Bobby* (2004), series, Actor
- *Mr. 3000* (2004), as Gus Panas
- *The Cooler* (2003), as Buddy Stafford
- *Mambo Italiano* (2003), as Gino Barberini
- *Mafia Doctor* (2003), as Nicola Dellarusso
- *Still Standing* (2002), series, as Al Miller
- *Hey Arnold! The Movie* (2002), as Scheck (voice)
- *Plan B* (2002), as Joe Maloni
- *Ciao America* (2002), as Antonio Primavera
- *Streghe verso nord* (2001), as Gallio
- *Longshot* (2001), as Laszlo Pryce
- *Perfume* (2001), as Lorenzo Mancini
- *See Spot Run* (2001), as Sonny Talia
- *The Amati Girls* (2001), as Joe
- *That's Life* (2000), series, as Frank DeLucca
- *The Thin Blue Lie* (2000), as Frank Rizzo
- *Cheaters* (2000), as Constantine Kiamos
- *That Championship Season* (1999), Coach, Director
- *Harlem Aria* (1999), as Fabiano Grazzi
- *Houdini* (1998), as Blackburn
- *Knock Off* (1998), as Harry Johanson
- *Dead Broke* (1998), as Harvey
- *Bulworth* (1998), as Graham Crockett
- *Men with Guns* (1998), as Horace Burke
- *The Big House* (1998), series, Actor
- *Joe Torre: Curveballs Along the Way* (1997), as Joe Torre
- *Most Wanted* (1997), as CIA Deputy Director Kenny Rackmill
- *Money Talks* (1997), as Guy Cipriani
- *Dog Watch* (1997), as Delgoti
- *American Perfekt* (1997), as Frank
- *Romeo + Juliet* (1996), as Fulgencio Capulet — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/film/romeo-juliet.md)
- *Escape Clause* (1996), as Lt. Gil Farrand
- *Love Is All There Is* (1996), as Piero Malacici
- *Nixon* (1995), as Henry Kissinger
- *Cover Me* (1995), as J.J. Davis
- *Without Consent* (1994), as Dr. Winslow
- *Backstreet Justice* (1994), as Captain Phil Giarusso
- *Parallel Lives* (1994), as Ed Starling
- *Duckman* (1994), series, as Variecom CEO (voice)
- *Perry Mason: The Case of the Wicked Wives* (1993), as Anthony Caruso
- *The Firm* (1993), as Tommy Morolto (uncredited) — Fi1m 71, [page](https://film.one/film/the-firm.md)
- *The Last Mile* (1992), as The Tenor
- *The Rocketeer* (1991), as Eddie Valentine
- *Don't Touch My Daughter* (1991), as Lt. Willman
- *Age Isn't Everything* (1991), as Max
- *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Phil Cerreta — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md)
- *GoodFellas* (1990), as Paul Cicero — Fi1m 93, [page](https://film.one/film/goodfellas.md)
- *Dick Tracy* (1990), as Lips Manlis
- *Star Trek: The Next Generation* (1987), series, as Dr. Nikolai Rozhenko — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/star-trek-the-next-generation.md)
- *The Oldest Rookie* (1987), series, as Ike Porter
- *Almost Partners* (1987), as Jack Wilder
- *Very Close Quarters* (1986), as Kiril
- *A Fine Mess* (1986), as Tony Pazzo
- *Betrayed by Innocence* (1986), as Mike Vogel
- *Vasectomy: A Delicate Matter* (1986), as Gino
- *The Stuff* (1985), as Colonel Malcolm Grommett Spears
- *Chiller* (1985), as Reverend Penny
- *Moonlighting* (1985), series, as David Addison Sr. — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/moonlighting.md)
- *Surviving* (1985), as Harvey
- *With Intent to Kill* (1984), as Doyle Reinecker
- *Murder, She Wrote* (1984), series, as Al Sidell
- *My Mother's Secret Life* (1984), as Max
- *Chiefs* (1983), series, as Sheriff Skeeter Willis
- *Off the Wall* (1983), as Warden Nicholas F. Castle
- *That Championship Season* (1982), as Phil Romano
- *A Question of Honor* (1982), as Carlo Danzie
- *I, the Jury* (1982), as Detective Pat Chambers
- *Melanie* (1982), as Walter
- *Reds* (1981), as Louis Fraina — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/film/reds.md)
- *Cruising* (1980), as Capt. Edelson
- *Lost and Found* (1979), as Reilly
- *Dummy* (1979), as Lowell Myers
- *The Brink's Job* (1978), as Jazz Maffie
- *Slow Dancing In The Big City* (1978), as Lou Friedlander
- *Bloodbrothers* (1978), as Chubby De Coco
- *Oh, God!* (1977), as Reverend Willie Williams
- *Seventh Avenue* (1977), series, as Dave Shaw
- *Bert D'Angelo Superstar* (1976), series, Actor
- *I Will, I Will...For Now* (1976), as Lou Springer
- *We'll Get By* (1975), series, as George Platt
- *Angel and Big Joe* (1975), Actor
- *Shoot It Black, Shoot It Blue* (1974), as Ring
- *It Couldn't Happen to a Nicer Guy* (1974), as Harry Walters
- *The Gambler* (1974), as Hips
- *Tell Me Where It Hurts* (1974), as Joe
- *King Lear* (1974), as Gloucester
- *The Day of the Dolphin* (1973), as Curtis Mahoney
- *A Touch of Class* (1973), as Walter Menkes — Fi1m 66, [page](https://film.one/film/a-touch-of-class.md)
- *The Streets of San Francisco* (1972), series, as Sergeant Bert D'Angelo
- *Dealing: Or the Berkeley-to-Boston Forty-Brick Lost-Bag Blues* (1972), as Taxi Driver
- *Made For Each Other* (1971), as Gig's Father
- *Cry Uncle!* (1971), as Coughing Cop
- *The Panic in Needle Park* (1971), as Samuels
- *Great Performances* (1971), series, as Gloucester
- *Where’s Poppa?* (1970), as Owner of Gus & Grace's Home
- *Skyscraper* (1965), Actor

## Gallery

- ![Photo of Paul Sorvino as George Platt and Mitzi Hoag as Liz Platt from the television program We'll Get By. (1975)](https://film.one/media/person/59821/gallery-fd65e8e66871.jpg) Photo of Paul Sorvino as George Platt and Mitzi Hoag as Liz Platt from the television program We'll Get By. (1975) — CBS Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/57/Paul_Sorvino_Mitzi_Hoag_We%27ll_Get_By_1975.JPG?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Paul Sorvino](https://film.one/media/person/59821/gallery-183d17738646.jpg) Paul Sorvino — David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/94/Paul_Sorvino_Shankbone_2010_NYC.jpg/1280px-Paul_Sorvino_Shankbone_2010_NYC.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Paul Sorvino at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival.](https://film.one/media/person/59821/gallery-b1514b11f93c.jpg) Paul Sorvino at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival. — David Shankbone, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/Paul_Sorvino_Shankbone_2010_NYC_%28cropped%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled)
- ![Paul Sorvino](https://film.one/media/person/59821/gallery-242611be09e1.jpg) Paul Sorvino — Image via TMDB
- ![Paul Sorvino](https://film.one/media/person/59821/gallery-67323f052915.jpg) Paul Sorvino — Image via TMDB
- ![Paul Sorvino](https://film.one/media/person/59821/gallery-bf53f154abaa.jpg) Paul Sorvino — Image via TMDB
- ![Paul Sorvino](https://film.one/media/person/59821/gallery-0691c44b5942.jpg) Paul Sorvino — Image via TMDB
- ![Paul Sorvino](https://film.one/media/person/59821/gallery-73fa8f1224af.jpg) Paul Sorvino — Image via TMDB
- ![Paul Sorvino](https://film.one/media/person/59821/gallery-f1072f82054a.jpg) Paul Sorvino — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Other awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play 1973: Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play (nominated)

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/paul-sorvino