Paul Sorvino, film and television veteran, to speak at Hanover

Sorvino and his wife have been in Madison for a couple of weeks

Paul Sorvino, the veteran film and television actor, opera singer, artist, chef and best-selling author, will present a special lecture on film noir during an appearance at Hanover College, Wednesday, May 23.

Sorvino will speak at 3 p.m. in the Withrow Activities Center, J. Graham Brown Campus Center. A meet-and-greet will follow in the Alumni Lounge. The address is open to the public, free of charge.

Sorvino has appeared in more than 180 films and a variety of television shows. He is best known for his portrayal of tough guys and authority figures, including standout performances as Paul Cicero in Martin Scorsese’s 1990 film “Goodfellas” and stressed-out police chief Capt. Edelson in William Friedkin’s 1980 drama “Cruising.”

His many other noteworthy film credits include the portrayal of Henry Kissinger in Oliver Stone’s 1995 “Nixon” and as Fulgencio Capulet in Baz Luhrmann’s 1996 Shakespearean update “Romeo + Juliet.”

On television, among other roles, he starred as detective Phil Cerreta on “Law & Order” and Al Miller on the sitcom “Still Standing.” He also played Frank DeLucca in “That’s Life” and Detective Ike Porter in “The Oldest Rookie.”

Also an accomplished stage actor, Sorvino won six awards for his performance in the Broadway production of the dark comedy “That Championship Season.” In 1972, he earned a Drama Desk Award and the New York Drama Critics Award for Best Actor and, in 1973, was nominated for a Tony Award.

He later reprised the role in the 1981 movie version and directed and starred in the Showtime version of “That Championship Season” in 1999.

Sorvino began his career as a 16-year-old singer at a Catskills resort He eventually made his Broadway debut at 25, acting and singing in the original 1964 production of the musical “Bajour.” He made his film debut in Carl Reiner’s 1970 comedy “Going Ape.”

At age 40, the tenor made a lifelong dream come true with his operatic debut in “Die Fledermaus,” selling out six performances at the Seattle Opera. He would go on to sing the lead in “The Most Happy Fella” in 2006 at The New York City Opera at Lincoln Center and sold out 15 critically acclaimed performances.

He lives in New York and Los Angeles with his wife, Emmy award-winning television host and commentator Dee Dee Sorvino, a southern Indiana native from Versailles. He is the father three children: Michael, Amanda and Academy Award-winning actress Mira Sorvino.