‘Sopranos’ Star Vincent Pastore Dies at 80

Vincent Pastore, the veteran character actor best known for playing mobster-turned-informant Salvatore “Big Pussy”Bonpensiero on HBO’s landmark television series The Sopranos, has died. He was 80.

Pastore was found Saturday at his home on City Island in the Bronx after he had not been heard from for several days. A cause of death has not been announced.

Bob McGowan, who managed Pastore during and after his years on The Sopranos, remembered him as an exceptionally loyal and generous man who regularly supported charitable causes and was always willing to help others.

Pastore became one of the most recognizable faces in The Sopranos during the show’s first two seasons. His character was a longtime friend and trusted associate of New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano, played by the late James Gandolfini.

The discovery that Bonpensiero had secretly become an FBI informant created one of the series’ earliest and most memorable storylines. The character’s divided loyalties placed him at the center of a tense story about friendship, betrayal and the unforgiving rules of organized crime.

Although Bonpensiero’s betrayal ultimately led to his death aboard a boat in the second-season finale, Pastore later returned in dream sequences and flashbacks. He appeared in approximately 30 episodes of the celebrated drama.

Before his breakthrough on The Sopranos, Pastore built a long career playing streetwise characters, mobsters and tough guys. His film credits included Goodfellas, Awakenings, Carlito’s Way, The Basketball Diaries, The Hurricane, Mickey Blue Eyes and the HBO film Gotti. He also lent his voice to the animated movie Shark Tale.

His television work extended beyond organized-crime dramas, with appearances on Law & Order, The Practice, Blue Bloods and Hawaii Five-0. Pastore also competed on reality programs, including The Celebrity Apprentice and Dancing with the Stars.

Born in the Bronx on July 14, 1946, Pastore grew up in New Rochelle, New York. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam era and later attended Pace University. Before acting became his profession, he worked in the nightclub business.

Pastore’s portrayal of Big Pussy remained his signature role—a mixture of menace, humor, fear and divided loyalty that helped establish The Sopranos as one of television’s most influential dramas.

He is survived by his daughter, Renee Pastore.