Although Paul Sorvino’s filmography is rich and varied, there is one holiday classic that holds a special place in the hearts of his children and grandchildren.
In a recent interview with PEOPLE, the late actor’s daughter, Mira Sorvino, reveals the Paul movie she and her four children with husband Christopher Backus always gravitate to during the holidays.
“The one we watched with them—we hadn’t seen it in a few years, since he died, I think—but my kids loved his movie, Santa Claus 2: Christmas Maybein which he plays Santa,” says Sorvino, 57. “They love that movie, and we love seeing Santa as Santa.”
In fact, children’s affinity for the film led to Stupid country the actress eventually takes on the role of Mrs. Claus in the second film. “Grandpa played Santa and Mira played Mrs. Claus,” says Backus.
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“I realized my kids couldn’t watch any of my movies because they were all R-rated,” he said Powerful Aphrodite says the star. “And so I knew how much they loved Santa Claus 2: Christmas Maybe. And when I was offered this discovery, Mrs. Mraz [in 2012’s Finding Mrs. Claus]which was very clever and sweet, I decided to do it so I would have something to do for them to watch.”
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As her children grew up, star says they’re discovering grandpa’s adult movies, including the iconic Good guys.
“So our son, Johnny, who’s at the University of Michigan, was watching Good guys the first time two weeks ago with a couple of his teammates,” says Backus. “And he said, ‘I can’t believe that’s my grandfather.’ . . . And yeah, that was pretty cool.”
Paul Sorvino entered Santa Claus 2: Christmas Maybe.
Cinematic/Alamy Stock Photo
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Paul died in July 2022 at the age of 83. The actor is best known for his role in Good guysin which he played Paulie Cicero, and his role as NYPD Sergeant Phil Cerreta in the television series Law and order.
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Source: HIS Education