American character actor Paul Sorvino has died of natural causes at the age of 83.
The Brooklyn-born star was known for television roles, including the role of Phil Cerreta in the early 90s in Law & Order, and had an extensive film career, playing in everything from Paul Cicero in Goodfellas and Lips Manlis in Dick Tracy to Kissinger in Nixon and Fulgencio Capulet in Romeo + Juliet.
His wife Dee Dee, paid tribute to him on her Instagram page, writing: "I am completely devastated The love of my life and the most wonderful man who has ever lived is gone. I am heartbroken."
His actress daughter Mira also tweeted: "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."
Sorvino - who originally trained as an opera singer - had more than 170 credits to his name and worked from the Seventies onwards, with recent roles including Frank Costello in Godfather of Harlem.
The star was married three times, most recently to Dee Dee and, before that to Vanessa Arico and Lorraine Davis, with whom he had three children, Mira, Amanda and Michael, who all followed in his footsteps.
Sorvino suffered from severe asthma and founded the Sorvino Asthma Foundation and wrote bestselling book How To Become A Former Asthmatic.
