What Is Paul Sorvino’s Net Worth?
At the time of his passing on July 25, 2022, Paul Sorvino, the multifaceted American actor, singer, businessman, and writer, had accumulated a net worth of $10 million. This financial standing reflected a career spanning over five decades, with earnings derived from various avenues within the entertainment industry and beyond.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on April 13, 1939, in Brooklyn, New York City, Paul Sorvino was the son of Angela and Ford Sorvino. His upbringing was rooted in the Italian-American community, with his father working as a foreman in a robe factory. Sorvino attended Lafayette High School and honed his artistic talents at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. While specific financial details of his early life are not publicly available, his initial forays into the professional world included a stint as a copywriter at an advertising agency, a role that preceded his breakthrough into the world of acting.
Career in Acting, Directing, and Music
Sorvino’s acting journey commenced on Broadway in 1964 with the musical “Bajour.” He secured his first film role in Carl Reiner’s “Where’s Poppa” in 1970. The subsequent decade saw him steadily building his reputation through roles in films like “The Panic in Needle Park” (1971) and the Broadway play “That Championship Season” (1972). His career trajectory included appearances in films such as “A Touch of Class” (1973), “It Couldn’t Happen to a Nicer Guy” (1974), and “I Will, I Will…for Now” (1976). He also ventured into television with roles in series like “We’ll Get By,” “Bert D’Angelo/Superstar,” and “The Oldest Rookie.” Sorvino’s directorial debut came in 1976 with “Wheelbarrow Closers.”
A significant milestone in Sorvino’s career arrived in 1990 with his portrayal of Paul Cicero in Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas.” In 1991, he secured a role in the television series “Law & Order,” appearing in 29 episodes as Sergeant Phil Cerreta. Although specific salary details for his roles in “Goodfellas” and “Law & Order” are not publicly disclosed, these prominent roles significantly contributed to his overall income and recognition.
Throughout the 1990s, Sorvino’s career continued to flourish with roles in films like “Nixon” (1995), where he played Henry Kissinger, “The Rocketeer,” and “The Firm.” In 1998, he narrated “The Big House” on The History Channel and voiced Mr. Scheck in “Hey Arnold!: The Movie.” In the 2000s, he appeared in the drama “That’s Life” from 2000 to 2002. In 2012, he directed and starred in “The Trouble with Cali,” working alongside his daughter, Mira Sorvino. Later in his career, he took on roles in films like “Repo! The Genetic Opera” (2008) and “The Devil’s Carnival.” Earnings from these various roles contributed substantially to Paul Sorvino’s net worth.
Other Ventures and Interests
Beyond acting, Paul Sorvino pursued other artistic and entrepreneurial ventures. He was an accomplished sculptor, creating cast bronze sculptures and exhibiting his artwork in galleries. As an opera singer, he showcased his vocal talents, even guest-starring on Eddy Napoli’s 2008 album with a duet performance of “Luna Rossa.”
Sorvino also ventured into the culinary world, launching his own line of pasta sauces, Paul Sorvino Foods, in 2007. These sauces, based on his mother’s recipes, were available in supermarkets in the northeastern United States starting in 2009. While specific sales figures for Paul Sorvino Foods are not available, this venture added another dimension to his income streams.
Paul Sorvino’s dedication to asthma research led him to establish the Paul Sorvino Asthma Foundation, aimed at building asthma centers across the United States. The financial specifics regarding the foundation’s funding and operations are not publicly accessible, but this initiative reflected his philanthropic commitment. He also devoted time to animal welfare, working with his daughter Amanda to lobby with the Americans Against Horse Slaughter group in Washington, D.C.
Personal Life and Residences
During his life, Sorvino maintained residences in Los Angeles, California, and Madison, Indiana. He had three children with Lorraine Davis: Mira Sorvino, Michael Sorvino, and Amanda Sorvino. While details about the specific properties he owned and their values are not publicly available, these residences likely represented a significant portion of his assets.
In December 2014, Sorvino married political pundit Dee Dee Benkie, whom he met on “Your World With Neil Cavuto.” Information regarding any prenuptial agreements or financial arrangements related to his marriage with Dee Dee Benkie is not publicly accessible.