Hollywood star Paul Sorvino, who was well-known for his work on Goodfellas and Law & Order, passed away at the age of 83 on Monday from natural causes.
According to Variety, his wife, DeeDee Sorvino, posted on Instagram, saying "I am completely devastated. The love of my life & the most wonderful man who has ever lived is gone. I am heartbroken."
The father of actress Mira Sorvino, Sorvino is best known for his work as Sgt. Frank Cerreta on the NBC drama Law & Order, as Mafia boss Pail Cicero in the acclaimed gangster movie Goodfellas, and as Kissinger in Oliver Stone's Nixon.
"My father, the legendary Paul Sorvino, has passed away," Mira Sorvino wrote on Twitter. A life of love, laughter, and understanding with him is finished, and my heart is torn to pieces. The best possible father, he was. I really adore him. Dad, while you soar, I'm sending you love from the stars.
Sorvino worked continually, with more than 170 credits and dozens of roles in recent years including guest appearances in Godfather of Harlem, Bad Blood, Undercover Grandpa, The Goldbergs and Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders.
He was one of Lips Manlis' eclectic cast of extensively costumed antagonists that the director and actor of the highly stylized crime thriller Dick Tracy put together.
In three of Beatty's five films as a director, Sorvino appeared as the CEO of a sizable insurance business seeking a political favour from the senator played by Beatty. He also appeared in the disastrous Rules Don't Apply and the Communist history drama Reds.
Paul Anthony Sorvino was born in Brooklyn to Italian Americans. He spoke fluent Italian and originally aimed to become an opera singer. He studied at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York, where he first explored acting; he also studied with acting master Sanford Meisner. In the early '60s, Sorvino made a living singing at charity balls.
In the 1964 production of the musical Bajour, the actor made his Broadway debut. The next year, he made an appearance in the comedy "Mating Dance"; unsure of whether he wanted to pursue acting further, he took a job as an executive at an advertising agency.
He co-starred in That Championship Season on Broadway in 1974 before taking the lead in Murray Schisgal's "An American Millionaire" the following year. The Broadway production of "Wheelbarrow Closers," directed by Sorvino in 1976, had a short run.
In tiny appearances in Where's Poppa? in 1970 and "The Panic in Needle Park" the following year, Sorvino made his acting debut.
His daughter Amanda Sorvino wrote the script for the independent movie The Trouble With Cali, which he directed in 2012.
The actor established the Sorvino Asthma Foundation and wrote a best-selling book titled How to Become a Former Asthmatic since his severe asthma made it more challenging for him to pursue a singing career.
Sorvino leaves behind his wife, two daughters, Mira and Amanda, as well as a son, Michael, and five grandchildren.
(ANI)
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.