Vincent Pastore, the veteran actor best known for his role on the HBO drama The Sopranos, died Saturday. He was 80. Authorities said there was no indication of criminality, according to CBS News.
Pastore was found in his home on New York's City Island after not being heard from for several days, according to Bob McGowan, who had managed Pastore since his time on The Sopranos. McGowan told the Associated Press he learned of the death from another Sopranos actor, Vincent Curatola, and that he had been trying to reach Pastore about a potential job.
"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."
Pastore played Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero, a close friend of Tony Soprano who is revealed as an FBI informant and killed in season two. Despite his character's death, Pastore returned for guest appearances in later seasons. The show ran from 1999 to 2007. He and his castmates won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2000.
His manager of more than three decades, Robert Attermann, remembered Pastore in a statement to CBS News. "I had the privilege of representing Vinny for more than 30 years, long before The Sopranos made him a household name," Attermann said. "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."
Attermann added: "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."
Actor Michael Imperioli, who appeared alongside Pastore on the show, posted a tribute on social media. "This is a hard one for us, it seems like I've known Vinny forever. 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," Imperioli wrote. "I will miss him always."
Pastore was born in the Bronx on July 14, 1946, and grew up in New Rochelle, New York. He served in the Navy during the Vietnam War and later graduated from Pace University with a degree in drama. His film credits included Goodfellas, Awakenings, and Carlito's Way, all from the early 1990s. He most recently appeared as a guest star on Yellowjackets in 2025. He is survived by a daughter, Renee Pastore.
