Mira Sorvino facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Mira Sorvino
Sorvino at the 2013 Vienna Opera Ball
Born	Mira Katherine Sorvino (1967-09-28) September 28, 1967 (age 57) New York City, New York, U.S.
Alma mater	Harvard University (AB)
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1985–present
Spouse(s)	Christopher Backus ​ ​ (m. 2004)​
Children	4
Parent(s)	Paul Sorvino (father)
Relatives	Michael Sorvino (brother)
Awards	Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress - Motion Picture

Mira Katherine Sorvino (/ˈmiːrə sɔːrˈviːnoʊ/; born (1967-09-28)September 28, 1967) is an American actress. She is well-known for her roles in many films and TV shows. She won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe for her acting in the movie Mighty Aphrodite (1995).

She also starred in popular films like Romy and Michele's High School Reunion (1997), Mimic (1997), and Sound of Freedom (2023).

Early Life and Education

Mira Sorvino was born in New York City on September 28, 1967. Her mother, Lorraine Ruth Davis, was a drama therapist and former actress. Her father, Paul Sorvino, was a famous actor and film director. Mira has two siblings, Michael and Amanda. Her family comes from Italy on her father's side.

She grew up in Tenafly, New Jersey. As a child, she loved to write and act in plays with her friend Hope Davis. She also performed in theater shows at her school, Dwight-Englewood School. Mira's mother taught her to care about social issues. Her mother even took part in the March on Washington, a big event for civil rights.

Mira was a very good student. She was accepted into Harvard University. During her studies, she spent a year in Beijing, China, as an exchange student. There, she learned to speak Mandarin Chinese very well. In 1989, she graduated from Harvard with a degree in East Asian studies. She earned "magna cum laude" honors, which means she graduated with great distinction. She also helped start the Harvard-Radcliffe Veritones, a singing group at Harvard, in 1985.

Acting Career Highlights

Mira Sorvino and Olivier Martinez at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival

Mira Sorvino's first big role was in the teen TV series Swans Crossing. She appeared in six episodes. Later, she worked on the film Amongst Friends (1993). She started as an assistant director, then helped find actors, and then became an assistant producer. Finally, she was offered a main role in the movie! People liked her acting, and this led to more opportunities.

After acting in films like Quiz Show and Barcelona, she got a part in Woody Allen's Mighty Aphrodite (1995). Her performance in this movie brought her worldwide fame.

Mira has starred in many other movies. These include Romy and Michele's High School Reunion with Lisa Kudrow, At First Sight with Val Kilmer, and Spike Lee's Summer of Sam. She played Marilyn Monroe in the 1996 HBO film Norma Jean & Marilyn. She also had the main role in Guillermo del Toro's horror film Mimic. In 1995, she played Conchita Closson in the BBC miniseries The Buccaneers. She also played Daisy Buchanan in the 2000 TV film The Great Gatsby.

Sorvino from Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C. 2001

In 2002, Sorvino was the main actress in The Triumph of Love. That same year, she also starred in WiseGirls with Mariah Carey. She had a supporting role in the drama Reservation Road (2007) with Mark Ruffalo.

In 2008, she appeared as a psychiatrist named Cate Milton in the TV show House. She also starred in Attack on Leningrad (2009) and Multiple Sarcasms (2010). In 2012, she was in Union Square, which was well-received. That year, she also played the mother in the film Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life, based on a popular children's book.

In 2014, she returned as Head Detective Betsy Brannigan on the show Psych. She also joined Falling Skies and Intruders. In 2018, Sorvino played Amy in the thriller Look Away. In 2019, she was cast in the Netflix miniseries Hollywood.

Personal Life

Mira Sorvino met actor Christopher Backus in August 2003. They got married on June 11, 2004, in California. Later, they had another ceremony in Capri, Italy. They have four children together: two daughters and two sons. Mira and Christopher have also acted in movies together, like Indiscretion and Mothers and Daughters.

A special compound found in a type of beetle was named mirasorvone after Mira Sorvino. This was done by an entomologist (someone who studies insects) named Thomas Eisner. He chose the name because Mira played an entomologist in the film Mimic who studied deadly insect changes.

Mira Sorvino is a Christian. She lives with her family in Los Angeles, California.

Activism and Charity Work

Mira Sorvino has been involved with Amnesty International since 2004. This organization works to protect human rights around the world. In 2006, she received their Artist of Conscience Award. This award is given to people who have worked for a long time to help others and promote good causes.

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and Nominations

See also

In Spanish: Mira Sorvino para niños