I just heard that Paul Sorvino passed. I have made three films with Paul... I just texted with him last week. Paul was a force to be reckoned with... Some of my favorite Hollywood memories came from hanging out with him. I will never forget the time that he invited me to his house to cook me pasta. As I’m sitting there watching him chop garlic he looked over at me and with the wink and said “what? You thought I just did this in the movies?” A story about my first week working with Paul. I was some young punk kid... I thought that I was hot shit. We immediately did not get along. On his first take he looked at me and said “you know what? I quit.” He stormed off set. The producer on the movie said “Bousman, if he walks the movie falls apart. Go fix it.” I run into Paul‘s trailer and literally plead with him to come back. Reluctantly, he acquiesces and finishes the scene. The next week was hell. We absolutely did not get along. He was intimidating. He was scary. Fuck, he was big Paulie. We finish out the shoot and end with a mutual respect for one another. When I finished the edit Paul Sorvino was the very first person I called to screen it for. I knew that he did not suffer fools lightly I also knew he would be a tough critic. I rented out a Theater and held a private screening for just him. I watched him from the side nervous, and terrified. When the film ended and the lights came up he sat there stoically. After what seemed like forever he turns to me. Tears in his eyes. He didn’t say a word. “Well?!” I pushed. He stood up and hugged me. And I’ll never forget what he said. “I’m more than a gangster. Thank you for giving the chance to show that.” We walked outside and right before we left he stops me. “Whenever you need me. Whatever the role is, I’m there. No questions asked.” That was the start of us working together for the next ten years. I loved that dude. The last time I worked with Paul he played God. It was the perfect role for him. Ain’t nobody bigger, or grander than him. You will be missed Paul!