Vincent Pastore, a tough-guy actor known for his role as Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on HBO’s “The Sopranos,” was found dead inside his Bronx home Saturday, police said.
The Bronx-born Pastore was 80 years old. His death sparked an outpouring of adoration from his Sopranos’ castmates, among others.
“This is a hard one for us, it seems like I’ve known Vinny forever,” Michael Imperioli, who played Christopher Moltisanti on “The Sopranos” wrote on Instagram. “We did lots of work together and traveled all over the USA as well as Italy and Australia. Lots of good times. Lots of laughs. Vinny was a kind hearted brother who cared deeply about his family and friends. I will miss him always.”
A neighbor discovered Pastore dead inside his City Island home after the actor had not been seen for three days, Deadline reported, though a close friend disputed that timeline.
Cops received a 911 call about an unconscious and unresponsive 80-year-old man at the home on Fordham St. around 2:33 p.m., an NYPD spokesman said. Medics pronounced him dead at the scene. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner will determine how he died as a police investigation into his death continues, the NYPD said.
Pastore, who was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2014 and survived, did not have any health problems at the time of his death, his friend Stephen Villano told reporters outside Pastore’s home Saturday evening. Villano, who described himself as Pastore’s “right hand man” and driver, disputed reports that Pastore died several days before he was found.
“He passed away of natural causes. He went to sleep and didn’t wake up,” Villano said. “People are saying that he’s been in there for days. No, he hasn’t,” he said.
Villano said he last spoke to Pastore Thursday, when they discussed plans to see “The Odyssey.”
“I was his driver, and over time we became like great friends. And then he became family,” Villano said. “I’ve been with him for a very, very long time. And honestly, one of the kindest and sweetest people I ever met.”
Pastore was a longtime fan of the Daily News, which he bought and read every day, according to Villano.
One of Pastore’s managers, Bob McGowan, said he had been trying to reach Pastore for a possible job, but never heard back from him. He learned about the actor’s death from another client and “The Sopranos” actor, Vincent Curatola.
“He was the most loyal client and he always gave to charity,” McGowan said, “and he was the kind of guy who would help anybody, which is rare in my business.”
A proud Italian-American, Pastore was known for playing mobsters. In addition to playing New Jersey Soprano enforcer-turned FBI informant, he played wiseguy roles in “Goodfellas,” “Carlito’s Way,” “Men of Respect,” and the 1996 HBO TV movie “Gotti.”
“I had the privilege of representing Vinny for more than 30 years, long before The Sopranos made him a household name,” long-time manager Robert Attermann told CBS. “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 loved being an actor. He was passionate about his craft and was always encouraging, respectful, and generous with young actors, taking the time to offer guidance and support whenever he could,” Attermann added.
Born in the Bronx on July 14, 1946, Pastore grew up in an Italian-American neighborhood in New Rochelle. He served as a sailor in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. After being discharged, he enrolled in Pace University, graduating with a degree in drama.
In interviews, Pastore said that while he drew from his childhood experiences to inform his acting, he also strove to create unique characters not based on stereotypes.
“The truth is that I grew up in a pure Italian-American home. Tradition. We lived in New Rochelle in an Italian neighborhood. I can still smell the pizza!” he said in Edge Magazine. “We saw bookies and loan sharks. But to play these roles you don’t rely on memories. You use your own personality and come up with a great character.”
Although his popular “The Sopranos” character was whacked at the end of Season 2, Pastore continued to appear throughout the series in flashbacks and dream sequences for the rest of the show’s six-season run.
”The Sopranos” celebrated the 25th Anniversary of the show’s premiere in 2024.
Pastore had an extensive list of film and television credits, including the movies “Riding in Cars with Boys,” “Witness to the Mob,” “Deuces Wild,” “Once Upon a Time in Brooklyn,” and “Money Train.”
He was a frequent guest star on “Law & Order” and had a major role on “The Practice.” Later on, he became a reality TV star, appearing on shows like “Celebrity Apprentice.”
He also hosted “The Wiseguy Show” on SiriusXM.
As news of his death circulated online, celebrities and fans alike mourned Pastore’s loss on social media.
“I’m at a loss for words. Rest in paradise Mr. Pastore,” “The Sopranos” co-star Steve Schirripa posted on X.
Jack Jokinen remembered one of his favorite interactions with Pastore in the Bronx.
“During the height of The Sopranos, Vinnie Pastore lived two blocks from me on City Island,” Jokinen wrote on X. “Almost every day he’d be outside the same deli with a coffee, newspaper, and cigarette. One of my friends walked up and asked, ‘Are you Big Pussy from The Sopranos?’ Vinnie lowered his paper, looked at him, and said, ‘You’re too young to be watching that show, kid.’ Then he went right back to reading the newspaper.”
“(He) also tipped $20 on a $12 pizza delivery every time,” Jokinen added.
Pastore celebrated his 80th birthday last month at Daryl’s House, a restaurant and music club in upstate New York.
Pastore also worked as an acting teacher. One of his students was Frank Vallelonga Jr., who was on “The Sopranos” and whose body was found dumped on a New York City street back in 2022 after he died from an overdose.
Pastore is survived by his daughter Renee.
With News Wire services.
