Podtalk: Oscar-Winner Mira Sorvino on Her Journey to Now

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CHICAGO – The celebrity line-up at the upcoming FAN EXPO Chicago is top of the pops, and making a prime appearance is actor Mira Sorvino, who made a big splash by winning the Best Supporting Actress Oscar for “Mighty Aphrodite” in the 1990s. The FAN EXPO takes place from August 10-13, 2023. For tickets and information, click FAN EXPO Chicago.

Mira Katherine Sorvino was born in New York City, and is the daughter of actors Paul Sorvino and Lorraine Ruth Davis. Despite many directions in her young life, including a study of East Asian studies at Harvard University and fluent Mandarin, she chose to follow the path of her parents and made her TV debut with the syndicated “Swans Crossing” in 1992. A year later she made her film debut with “Amongst Friends” and followed that up with 1994 roles in “Quiz Show” and “Barcelona.” “Mighty Aphrodite” (1995), directed by Woody Allen, put her in the spotlight for the Oscar win, and is remembered for the moving speech acknowledging her actor father Paul. Post her win, she drew raves portraying Marilyn Monroe in “Norma Jean & Marilyn” (1996) and starred in a cult classic with Lisa Kudrow, “Romy & Michelle’s High School Reunion” (1997).

Still Photo from Mira Sorvino’s Latest Film
Photo credit: Angel Studios

Encounters with Harvey Weinstein in the latter half of the 1990s changed her career when she rebuffed his advances, and he subsequently blackballed her in the film industry community, effectively (as she mentions in the interview) for 20 years. But through it all she continued to work, as well as becoming an activist for Amnesty International. Her work in bringing to light worldwide slavery, in addition to anti-human and child trafficking, led to her role in the current film “Sound of Freedom” (a photo of which is above).

FAN EXPO Chicago is an epic gathering of comic book, celebrity and entertainment in celebration, that take place at the Rosemont (Illinois) Donald E. Stephens Center. The celebrities that will be attending includes a rare “Back to the Future” reunion, with Michael J. Fox, Christopher Lloyd. Lea Thompson and Tom Wilson. That’s not to mention the comic book/entertainment exhibitions, show business updates, insider scoops, after hours events and of course the audience cosplay. For the complete celebrity meet and greet list (which includes Mira Sorvino), click FAN EXPO STAR POWER.

In Part One of a Podtalk with Patrick McDonald of HollywoodChicago.com, actor Mira Sorvino talks about her career, including the Weinstein fallout …

In Part Two, of directors in her life and a tribute to her father Paul Sorvino …

In a video excerpt, Ms. Sorvino talks about her work in anti-human and child trafficking …

By PATRICK McDONALD Editor and Film Critic/Writer HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com