Vincent Pastore, the veteran actor best known for his role in The Sopranos, has died. He was 80.
Pastore, who played Salvatore “Big P—y” Bonpensiero in the long-running mobster series, was found dead in his Bronx residence on Saturday, August 1 by a neighbour after he had not been heard from for three days.
Vincent Pastore, the veteran actor known for his role in The Sopranos, has died. Pictured in 2024. Getty
The circumstances surrounding his death are under investigation, according to multiple US outlets.
Robert Attermann, his manager of over 30 years, said in a statement: “I had the privilege of representing Vinny for more than 30 years, long before The Sopranos made him a household name.
“To the world, he will always be remembered as the unforgettable ‘Big P—y,’ but to those of us who knew him, he was so much more.
“Vinny was one of the kindest, most generous people I have ever known. “He treated everyone with warmth and respect, never turning down a fan who wanted a photograph or an autograph.”
“Over more than three decades, I had the honour of watching not only his remarkable career but also the incredible person he was. I will miss his friendship, his loyalty, his humour, and his heart.”
Pastore, a sailor during the Vietnam War, played a number of small acting gigs throughout the ’80s, before landing his role as main cast member on The Sopranos in 1999.
His character was a favourite of his boss, Tony Soprano, played by James Gandolfini who died aged 51 in 2013.
Pastore starred in 30 episodes of the seven-season show, before his character emerged as an informant for the FBI and was killed.
The Sopranos was a long-running mobster show, largely considered to be one of the best ever created. Pictured: Tony Sirico, Steve Van Zandt, James Gandolfini, Michael Imperioli and Vincent Pastore. HBO via AP
Most recently, Pastore enjoyed a regular sting on the show Gravesend and guest-starred on Yellowjackets.
Pastore also played parts in other mobster TV shows and movies, including Goodfellas, Carlito’s Way, Men of Respect, and Witness to the Mob.
During the 2000s, Pastore was also a regular on reality television, appearing on Celebrity Apprentice, Celebrity Family Feud, Dancing With the Stars, Shark Tank and Celebrity Fit Club.
Pastore starred in 30 episodes of The Sopranos, before his character emerged as an informant for the FBI and was shot. Getty
His appearance on Celebrity Apprentice was when Donald Trump was still hosting, with Pastore famously faking a row with co-star Piers Morgan to convince his rivals he was on the same side as they were, a move his Sopranos′ character would have been proud of.
Pastore is survived by his daughter, Renee.