US actor Vincent Pastore, the force behind Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero in The Sopranos, has died at age 80. Multiple US outlets confirmed that he was found at his Bronx home with no indication of criminal activity.
Pastore, born in the Bronx in 1946, served in the Navy during the Vietnam era before turning to acting. He appeared in films such as Goodfellas and Carlito's Way and made television appearances on Law & Order, General Hospital and Hawaii Five‑O.
His most iconic role was in The Sopranos, which ran for six seasons. Although his character was killed in the second season, Pastore’s performance earned the ensemble a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2000.
Manager Robert Attermann told CBS News, "To the world he will always be remembered as the unforgettable 'Big Pussy', but to those of us who knew him he was so much more." He added, "For me, losing Vinny is deeply personal ... I will miss his friendship, loyalty, humor, and heart."
Pastore’s contributions to the world of television and his mentorship of young actors have left an enduring legacy that fans and colleagues alike continue to celebrate.
Read more about his role in the show on the BBC: The Sopranos – The Genius of a Shocking Episode.
