Vincent Pastore, ‘The Sopranos’ Actor, Dead at 80; Death Under Investigation
Developed over time first seen 2 months ago
Vincent Pastore, the actor best known for playing mob enforcer Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero in HBO's The Sopranos, has died at the age of 80. He was found in a Bronx apartment, and authorities investigated the circumstances of his death, though the exact cause was not disclosed.
Tributes poured in from former co-stars including Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Michael Imperioli, Lorraine Bracco, Joe Pantoliano and Steven Van Zandt, who spoke warmly of his camaraderie on the acclaimed drama. His death coincided with Sigler singing the national anthem at a New York Mets game on the same day, adding a poignant note for long-time fans of the series.
- Sopranos actor Vincent Pastore has died aged 80
- Found in Bronx apartment; cause of death undisclosed
- Co-stars including Imperioli and Bracco paid tribute
New here? Start with this
Vincent Pastore was an American actor best known for playing Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero, a mob informant and enforcer, in HBO's The Sopranos, the acclaimed crime drama that ran from 1999 to 2007 and is widely regarded as one of the most influential television series ever made. He appeared in the show's early seasons alongside a cast that later became closely associated with the series long after it ended.
Pastore's castmates included actors such as Michael Imperioli, Lorraine Bracco, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Joe Pantoliano and Steven Van Zandt, who have often spoken publicly about the bond formed while making the show. Beyond The Sopranos, Pastore had a long career in film and television, frequently playing tough, streetwise characters drawing on his own background in New York and New Jersey before he became an actor.
The Sopranos retains a large and devoted fanbase, and its cast are considered cultural figures well beyond the show's original run, which is why the deaths of its actors tend to draw significant attention and tributes from former colleagues and fans alike.
Coverage
- Deadline — Vincent Pastore Tributes: ‘The Sopranos’ Alums Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Michael Imperioli & More Remember “Kind-Hearted Brother”
- Fox News — ‘Sopranos’ star sings national anthem at Mets game on same day that fellow castmember dies
- Daily Mail — The Sopranos star Vincent Pastore dead at 80: Actor’s death under ‘investigation’ after he was found inside Bronx apartment