‘Sopranos’ Star Vincent Pastore Dies at 80
Vincent Pastore, the actor best known for portraying Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on HBO’s acclaimed crime drama “The Sopranos,” has died at the age of 80.
Pastore died at his home on Saturday, according to his manager, Robert Attermann, who confirmed that friends discovered his body.
A cause of death was not immediately released.
“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,” Attermann said in a statement.
Born in the Bronx and raised in nearby New Rochelle, New York, Pastore served in the U.S. Navy before attending Pace University.
Before pursuing acting full time, he worked in the nightclub business.
Pastore later decided to pursue an acting career after befriending actors Matt Dillon and Kevin Dillon, a decision that ultimately led to decades of work in film and television.
One of his early breakthrough roles came in director Nancy Savoca’s comedy “True Love.”
He also appeared in television’s “Law & Order” and had a small role in Martin Scorsese’s 1990 crime film “Goodfellas.”
Pastore became a familiar face in mob-themed films and television projects, but his career reached new heights in 1999 when he was cast as Salvatore Bonpensiero on “The Sopranos.”
His character, known as “Big Pussy,” was a longtime friend of mob boss Tony Soprano, serving as a trusted enforcer before later becoming an FBI informant.
The performance earned Pastore widespread recognition and helped establish him as one of the series’ most memorable cast members during its six-season run.
The Bronx Walk of Fame, which inducted Pastore in 2016, praised his portrayal of the character, saying it brought “depth and authenticity” to one of television’s most acclaimed dramas.
Outside of acting, Pastore remained active in theater and music.
He co-founded Renegade Theater NYC with fellow “Sopranos” actor Maureen Van Zandt and wrote the stage play “Crazy Horse,” based on his experiences as a rock-and-roll club owner.
He also fronted the band Gangster Squad, performing classic rock, rhythm and blues, soul, funk and reggae throughout New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
In 2007, Pastore competed on ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars,” though he was eliminated during the first week of competition, per NBC News.
Attermann, who represented Pastore for more than three decades, remembered him for his generosity and appreciation of fans.
“Vinny was one of the kindest, most generous people I have ever known,” Attermann said. “He treated everyone with warmth and respect, never turning down a fan who wanted a photograph or an autograph.”
“He loved being an actor” and enjoyed encouraging aspiring performers, Attermann added.
Pastore is remembered for a career spanning decades in film, television and theater, highlighted by his iconic performance as one of television’s most recognizable mobsters.
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