‘Sopranos’ Star Vincent Pastore Dead At 80

Vincent Pastore, the veteran actor best known for playing Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on the legendary HBO series “The Sopranos,” has died at the age of 80.

Pastore was found dead Saturday at his home on City Island in the Bronx by a neighbor. A police source said the actor died of natural causes. His death was confirmed by his longtime manager, Robert Attermann, who represented Pastore for more than three decades.

Attermann remembered Pastore as far more than the mobster character that made him famous, describing him as an exceptionally kind and generous man who appreciated his fans. He said Pastore loved acting and frequently took time to encourage younger performers and offer them guidance as they developed their careers.

Born in the Bronx in 1946, Pastore served in the Vietnam War before earning a drama degree from Pace University and pursuing acting. He developed a reputation for playing mob-connected characters, landing smaller roles in major films including “Goodfellas” and “Carlito’s Way” before appearing in HBO’s 1996 film “Gotti.”

His career changed dramatically when he was cast as Big Pussy in “The Sopranos.” Pastore was a main cast member during the show’s first two seasons, with his character becoming a central figure in one of the series’ most memorable storylines. He later returned for appearances during subsequent seasons.

Outside “The Sopranos,” Pastore built an extensive television and film résumé that included “One Life to Live” and multiple appearances on “Law & Order.” He continued working late in his life, appearing as himself in “The Curse” in 2024 and providing his voice for “Yellowjackets” in 2025.

Despite becoming synonymous with mobster roles, Pastore previously explained that his own upbringing was considerably different from the characters he portrayed. He grew up in a traditional Italian-American family in New Rochelle and said actors did not need real-life mob connections to convincingly create those characters.

Pastore leaves behind a career spanning decades, but for millions of television viewers, he will forever be remembered as Big Pussy, one of the characters who helped make “The Sopranos” a landmark of American television. His manager said Pastore’s legacy extended well beyond his performances and that he would be deeply missed by his family, friends, colleagues and generations of fans.