- An enthusiastic opera singer, painter, sculptor and cook.
- His budding career was threatened when asthma compromised his ability to talk and sing. But the breathing exercises he learned allowed him to breathe normally.
- In 1993, he founded the Paul Sorvino Asthma Foundation, with the goal of building asthma centers for children and adults across the United States.
- Italian-American, with ancestry from Vomero, Naples, Campania, and Casacalenda, Province of Campobasso, Molise.
- Founded the Dogfellas Dog Adoption organization in February of 2002 with his family. It is based in Manhattan and Pennsylvania.
- Founder of Paul Sorvino Foods, an international food company.
- In July 2004, he was awarded the "Premio per gli Italiani nel Mondo" at a ceremony in Rome. The prize is distributed by the Marzio Tremaglia Foundation and the Italian government to Italian emigrants and their descendants who have distinguished themselves abroad. At the ceremony, he performed the Neapolitan song "Torna a Surriento" with tenor Andrea Bocelli.
- Had severe asthma. Started the Sorvino Asthma Foundation.
- Spoke fluent Italian.
- Recovering with only minor bruises, after being hit by a car in Manhattan on October 7, 2011, while hailing a cab.
- Currently resides in Gilbert, Pennsylvania. (March 2006)
- He appeared in three films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: A Touch of Class (1973), Reds (1981) and Goodfellas (1990).
- Was nominated for Broadway's 1973 Tony Award as Best Actor (Dramatic) for Jason Miller's "That Championship Season."
- A graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy.
- Died a few weeks after two of his co-stars from unrelated 1990 movies: James Caan (from Dick Tracy) and Tony Sirico (from Goodfellas).
- Was named as "King of Brooklyn" at the "Welcome Back to Brooklyn" festival in 1993.
- Ranked #10 on Tropopkin's Top 25 Most Intriguing People [Issue #100]
- Father-in-law of Christopher Backus.
- Appeared in movies with former Law & Order (1990) castmates on two occasions: with Steven Hill in The Firm (1993) and with Chris Noth in Mr. 3000 (2004).
- Uncle of Bill Sorvino.
- He worked with seven Oscar-winning directors: Mike Nichols (The Day of the Dolphin (1973)), John G. Avildsen (Cry Uncle (1971), Slow Dancing in the Big City (1978)), William Friedkin (The Brink's Job (1978), Cruising (1980)), Warren Beatty (Reds (1981), Dick Tracy (1990), Bulworth (1998)), Martin Scorsese (Goodfellas (1990)), Sydney Pollack (The Firm (1993)) and Oliver Stone (Nixon (1995)).
- Passed away in the same month, just 19 days after his The Gambler (1974) and Dick Tracy (1990) co-star James Caan.
- Attended Brooklyn's Lafayette High School with Larry King.
- Shares birthday with Ron Perlman.
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