People are finding further reason to celebrate the life of late actor Paul Sorvino after an unearthed clip showed him volunteering to strangle anyone who disrespects women.
The Goodfellas actor passed away on Monday at the age of 83. His wife Dee Dee Sorvino announced the news in a statement, describing her husband as "the love of my life, and one of the greatest performers to ever grace the screen and stage."
Tributes flooded social media for Sorvino, with one particular clip featuring the character actor discussing women has gone viral.
"It is reprehensible beyond description that women have been treated in this manner," Sorvino told local news outlet KCAL9 in January 2018, speaking at a Golden Globe Awards event. "When you've had a phenomenal mother like I had you are automatically a feminist. That's why I have this wonderful wife."
He continued: "The reality is, anyone who takes advantage of women should be publicly strangled and I'll volunteer."
“When you’ve had a phenomenal mother, like I had, you are automatically a feminist.”
— Max (@ArbiterDroid) July 25, 2022
There isn't a font large enough to convey this amazing statement. https://t.co/goYDUElgtW
Over a hundred thousand people have watched the 23-second clip, with many people applauding the old-school actor for his stance. In the wider context of the interview, Sorvino discussed Harvey Weinstein and an incident involving his daughter Mira Sorvino, which reportedly saw her black-listed from certain roles.
"She's been denied, we know that. It's a terrible thing. She deserves all the new looks and the chances she may not have had because she's got it all, she's got the whole package and she's a great human being," he said.
"Wish more men thought and acted likes this," wrote the Twitter user @WhoDeyBeastWINZ in response to the viral video clip. Several on social media called Paul Sorvino a "legend" while others used an emoji of a broken heart in recognition of the loss.
Mira Sorvino, known for Romy and Michele's High School Reunion, Mighty Aphrodite and Norma Jean & Marilyn, publicly spoke out in 2017 about being sexually harassed by Weinstein. According to director Peter Jackson, Weinstein blocked Mira Sorvino from being considered for parts in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
After this emerged, Paul Sorvino had some strong words for Weinstein, publicly threatening him while talking to TMZ. Sorvino said it'd be better for Weinstein to go to jail because otherwise: "I'll kill that mother f*****. Pure and simple."
He added that if he had known about the incident involving his daughter, Weinstein "would not be walking. He would be in a wheelchair." Paul Sorvino said once again that his daughter is a wonderful human being and she "didn't deserve to be treated that way by a pig." After his comments went public, Mira Sorvino tweeted her admiration for her father, saying her love for him only continued to grow since this moment.
My father the great Paul Sorvino has passed. My heart is rent asunder- a life of love and joy and wisdom with him is over. He was the most wonderful father. I love him so much. I’m sending you love in the stars Dad as you ascend.
— Mira Sorvino (@MiraSorvino) July 25, 2022
Paying tribute to her father after his death, she wrote on Monday, "My heart is rent asunder- a life of love and joy and wisdom with him is over. He was the most wonderful father. I love him so much. I'm sending you love in the stars Dad as you ascend."
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
About the writer
Jamie Burton is a Newsweek Senior TV and Film Reporter (Interviews) based in London, U.K. His focus is reporting on ... Read more
