Vincent Pastore, a veteran character actor celebrated for his portrayals of tough guys and mobsters, has died at the age of 80. Pastore was most widely recognized for his portrayal of Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero, a close friend of Tony Soprano who ultimately becomes an FBI informant, during his 30-episode run on the hit series The Sopranos.
Bob McGowan, who managed Pastore’s career since his time on the show, confirmed the news. McGowan stated that he learned of the actor's passing on Saturday from fellow Sopranos actor Vincent Curatola. According to McGowan, Pastore was discovered at his home on Long Island, New York, after family and associates had not heard from him for several days. McGowan noted that he had been attempting to contact the actor regarding a potential job opportunity.
Reflecting on his client’s character, McGowan remarked, “He was the most loyal client and he always gave to charity, and he was the kind of guy who would help anybody, which is rare in my business.”
Pastore’s career in film spanned several decades, with screen credits dating back to the 1980s. He appeared in notable projects including the 1990 films Goodfellas and Awakenings. Born in the Bronx and raised in the suburb of New Rochelle, New York, Pastore served in the navy during the Vietnam war and later attended Pace University, according to his biography on IMDb.
