The Sopranos actor Vincent Pastore dies at 80 in New York, tributes pour in
Actor Vincent Pastore, known for his role in The Sopranos, has died at 80. He was found at his New York home after not being heard from for several days.
Sopranos actor Vincent Pastore has died at the age of 80. He was best known for playing Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero in The Sopranos, a role that made him widely recognised for playing a mobster on screen. Pastore is survived by his daughter, Renee Pastore.
Bob McGowan, who had managed him since his run on The Sopranos, told The Associated Press that he learnt of the actor’s death on Saturday from Vincent Curatola, another client of his and an actor from the show. McGowan said Pastore was found at his home on New York’s City Island after he had not been heard from for a few days.
McGowan said he had been trying to reach Pastore about a possible job when he learnt of his death. “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.”
Tributes from those who knew him
Robert Attermann, who represented Pastore for more than 30 years, including the period before his time on The Sopranos, said in an email to the AP that while the actor would be remembered as "Big Pussy", he was much more than that.
“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 genuinely appreciated the people who supported him and always made them feel valued.”
Attermann also said Pastore loved being an actor and was passionate about his craft. He said the actor also encouraged young actors, “taking the time to offer guidance and support whenever he could”.
Michael Imperioli, a longtime friend and collaborator of Pastore, wrote on Instagram that it felt as though he had known Vinny forever. “We did lots of work together and travelled all over the USA as well as Italy and Australia. Lots of good times. Lots of laughs,” Imperioli said. “Vinny was a kind-hearted brother who cared deeply about his family and friends. I will miss him always.”
Career and background
Pastore appeared in films from the 1980s onwards and had roles in major films, including Goodfellas and Awakenings, both released in 1990. He often played gangsters, and one of those roles became the part for which he was best known: his 30-episode run as Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero, Tony Soprano’s friend who becomes an FBI informant in The Sopranos.
He was born in the Bronx and grew up in suburban New Rochelle, New York. According to his biography on IMDb, he enlisted in the Navy during the Vietnam War and later attended Pace University.
Sopranos actor Vincent Pastore has died at the age of 80. He was best known for playing Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero in The Sopranos, a role that made him widely recognised for playing a mobster on screen. Pastore is survived by his daughter, Renee Pastore.
Bob McGowan, who had managed him since his run on The Sopranos, told The Associated Press that he learnt of the actor’s death on Saturday from Vincent Curatola, another client of his and an actor from the show. McGowan said Pastore was found at his home on New York’s City Island after he had not been heard from for a few days.
McGowan said he had been trying to reach Pastore about a possible job when he learnt of his death. “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.”
Tributes from those who knew him
Robert Attermann, who represented Pastore for more than 30 years, including the period before his time on The Sopranos, said in an email to the AP that while the actor would be remembered as "Big Pussy", he was much more than that.
“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 genuinely appreciated the people who supported him and always made them feel valued.”
Attermann also said Pastore loved being an actor and was passionate about his craft. He said the actor also encouraged young actors, “taking the time to offer guidance and support whenever he could”.
Michael Imperioli, a longtime friend and collaborator of Pastore, wrote on Instagram that it felt as though he had known Vinny forever. “We did lots of work together and travelled all over the USA as well as Italy and Australia. Lots of good times. Lots of laughs,” Imperioli said. “Vinny was a kind-hearted brother who cared deeply about his family and friends. I will miss him always.”
Career and background
Pastore appeared in films from the 1980s onwards and had roles in major films, including Goodfellas and Awakenings, both released in 1990. He often played gangsters, and one of those roles became the part for which he was best known: his 30-episode run as Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero, Tony Soprano’s friend who becomes an FBI informant in The Sopranos.
He was born in the Bronx and grew up in suburban New Rochelle, New York. According to his biography on IMDb, he enlisted in the Navy during the Vietnam War and later attended Pace University.
Sopranos actor Vincent Pastore has died at the age of 80. He was best known for playing Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero in The Sopranos, a role that made him widely recognised for playing a mobster on screen. Pastore is survived by his daughter, Renee Pastore.
Bob McGowan, who had managed him since his run on The Sopranos, told The Associated Press that he learnt of the actor’s death on Saturday from Vincent Curatola, another client of his and an actor from the show. McGowan said Pastore was found at his home on New York’s City Island after he had not been heard from for a few days.
McGowan said he had been trying to reach Pastore about a possible job when he learnt of his death. “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.”
Tributes from those who knew him
Robert Attermann, who represented Pastore for more than 30 years, including the period before his time on The Sopranos, said in an email to the AP that while the actor would be remembered as "Big Pussy", he was much more than that.
“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 genuinely appreciated the people who supported him and always made them feel valued.”
Attermann also said Pastore loved being an actor and was passionate about his craft. He said the actor also encouraged young actors, “taking the time to offer guidance and support whenever he could”.
Michael Imperioli, a longtime friend and collaborator of Pastore, wrote on Instagram that it felt as though he had known Vinny forever. “We did lots of work together and travelled all over the USA as well as Italy and Australia. Lots of good times. Lots of laughs,” Imperioli said. “Vinny was a kind-hearted brother who cared deeply about his family and friends. I will miss him always.”
Career and background
Pastore appeared in films from the 1980s onwards and had roles in major films, including Goodfellas and Awakenings, both released in 1990. He often played gangsters, and one of those roles became the part for which he was best known: his 30-episode run as Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero, Tony Soprano’s friend who becomes an FBI informant in The Sopranos.
He was born in the Bronx and grew up in suburban New Rochelle, New York. According to his biography on IMDb, he enlisted in the Navy during the Vietnam War and later attended Pace University.
