A fine singer and actor, he was much loved and respected throughout the industry.
He was best known as a heavy in such films as Goodfellas and Nixon, but did you know that he once played a romantic lead in a syrupy tear-jerker? (Corny film, but as always, he did a damned good job as the awkward tough-guy reporter who has no idea how to court the beautiful ballerina he adores.)
Late career he became an icon in the horror community for his involvement with and dedication to the films of Darren Bousman. Repo: The Genetic Opera and the Devil’s Carnival films featured Sorvino prominently, especially his trained operatic singing voice.
For an actor of his gravitas to engage in such projects with such gusto was very appreciated by us horror nerds. He didn’t do it for the money (there was little) he did it because he liked the roles.
I gotta bring up a film he starred in that I’ve never seen but have never forgotten the name of: “Vasectomy: A Delicate Matter.” Amazing he was still able to have a career after a movie with that kind of title.
I never heard of this before your comment. What a classic! The cast includes Det. Fish, Paw Cartwright and June Wilkinson!
Schlockmeisters did an entire program dedicated to this film:
I think my favorite memory of him was the way that he cried when Mira won her Oscar. Always liked him.