Sopranos star Vincent Pastore, actor behind Big Pussy, dies aged 80

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Sopranos star Vincent Pastore, actor behind Big Pussy, dies aged 80

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Variety · 3 hours ago

Vincent Pastore, the actor best known for playing Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero in HBO's *The Sopranos*, has died at the age of 80, according to TMZ. He was a central figure in the show's first two seasons as a trusted member of Tony Soprano's crew, and his character's arc as an FBI informant, which ended with his killing by Tony, Silvio and Paulie in the season two finale, remains one of the series' most memorable moments.

Beyond *The Sopranos*, Pastore built a long career often playing mobster roles, starting with small parts in early 1990s crime films such as *Goodfellas* and *Carlito's Way* before higher-profile appearances in *The Jerky Boys: The Movie* and HBO's *Gotti*. His credits also spanned films including *Shark Tale* and *Mickey Blue Eyes*, television roles on *Law & Order* and *General Hospital*, reality show appearances on *Dancing With the Stars* and *Shark Tank*, and hosting duties on SiriusXM's *The Wise Guy*, where he interviewed figures from the Italian-American community. He is survived by his daughter, Renee.

  • *Sopranos* actor Vincent Pastore, who played "Big Pussy", dies aged 80
  • Played FBI informant killed off in season two finale
  • Also appeared in *Goodfellas*, *Gotti* and *Shark Tale*; survived by daughter Renee

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Originally published by Variety as “Vincent Pastore, Who Played ‘Big Pussy’ on ‘The Sopranos’, Dies at 80”.