Vincent Pastore, renowned for his role as Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero in the television series “The Sopranos,” has passed away at the age of 80, as confirmed by his manager to CBS News.
Robert Attermann, who represented Pastore for over three decades, expressed his sorrow, highlighting that while many will remember Pastore as “Big Pussy,” he was much more than just that character to those who knew him personally.
Authorities reported that Pastore was found deceased in his Bronx home on Saturday afternoon, and there are no signs of foul play.
Pastore portrayed “Big Pussy” throughout all six seasons of “The Sopranos,” which aired from 1999 to 2007. Even after his character was killed off in season two for being an FBI informant, Pastore made several guest appearances in later seasons.
Born in the Bronx on July 14, 1946, Pastore served in the Vietnam War before pursuing his degree in drama at Pace University. His film career included roles in notable films such as “Goodfellas” and “Carlito’s Way.” He also appeared in “The Jerky Boys: The Movie” and “Gotti.”
In addition to his film work, Pastore featured in various TV shows, including “Celebrity Apprentice” and “Law & Order.” Most recently, he was a series regular on “Gravesend” and guest-starred on “Yellowjackets.”
In 2000, Pastore and his “Sopranos” castmates won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. Attermann concluded his tribute, noting Pastore’s passion for acting and his generous support of younger actors.
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