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Vincent Pastore, who played Tony Soprano’s best friend turned informant on HBO’s mob drama ‘Sopranos,’ has died, a representative confirmed Saturday.
He was 80.
“Yes, he has passed away at home,” manager Robert Attermann said of Pastore, a longtime resident of New York City’s Bronx neighborhood.
“To the world, he will always be remembered as the unforgettable ‘Big Pussy,’” he said, using the nickname of Pastore’s ‘Sopranos’ character, Salvatore Bonpensiero, “but to those of us who knew him, he was so much more.”
A longtime actor who plied his trade within the sordid and violent narratives of the Italian American mob, Pastore became a household face in 1999 when he was cast as Bonpensiero, mob boss Tony Soprano’s best friend, a family enforcer, and ultimately an FBI informant who threatened to upend the New Jersey mob’s enterprise on the acclaimed drama.
He was born in the Bronx, grew up in New Rochelle, New York, served in the U.S. Navy, and attended Pace University, according to an IMDb biography.
He has said he worked in the nightclub industry. But he also tried acting, and after befriending Matt Dillon and Kevin Dillon he decided to dive in, he said during a 2015 appearance on “Good Day New York.”
Pastore became a staple in mob films and television dramas about organized crime, including a role in “Once Upon a Time in Brooklyn.” But it was the ‘Sopranos’ six-season run that made him a true star.
“His portrayal of the complex and lovable mobster earned him widespread recognition and praise,” said the Bronx Walk of Fame, which inducted the actor in 2016. “Pastore’s ability to bring depth and authenticity to his character contributed to the show’s success and solidified his place in television history.”
Attermann said he represented Pastore for more than 30 years — long before his HBO fame.
“Vinny was one of the kindest, most generous people I have ever known,” he 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.”
Pastore 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, “I will miss his friendship, his loyalty, his humor, and his generosity. … May his memory be a blessing.”
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