What To Know
- Vincent Pastore, best known for playing Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on The Sopranos, died at age 80.
- Tributes poured in from from Sopranos co-stars, including Michael Imperioli, Stevie Van Zandt, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Lorraine Bracco, and Joe Pantoliano.
- Beyond The Sopranos, Pastore had a prolific career in film and television, with roles in Goodfellas, Carlito’s Way, Law & Order, and more.
The Sopranos star Vincent Pastore is dead at 80, and tributes from his costars are pouring in.
On Saturday, August 1, the actor who played Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on HBO’s mobster crime drama series died at his home in the Bronx, New York, Deadline reported. A neighbor reportedly found Pastore after his manager, Robert Attermann, hadn’t heard from the actor for three days. However, the actor’s friend said that Pastore’s driver spoke to him by phone on Friday night.
Pastore’s death is believed to be from natural causes; it is not currently being investigated by the medical examiner.
“To the world, he will always be remembered as the unforgettable ‘Big Pussy,’” Attermann said in a statement, per NBC News, “But to those of us who knew him, he was so much more.”
In the wake of Pastore’s death, many of his Sopranos costars took to social media with tributes, including Michael Imperioli, who played Christopher Moltisanti.
“Our beloved friend and collaborator VINCENT PASTORE has passed away,” Imperioli wrote on Instagram. “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. Vinny was a kind hearted brother who cared deeply about his family and friends. I will miss him always.”
Steven Van Zandt, who played Silvio Dante on The Sopranos, wrote via X, “Another irreplaceable brother gone. It never gets any easier. Travel well, Vincenzo.”
Another irreplaceable brother gone. It never gets any easier. Travel well Vincenzo. pic.twitter.com/sybh6LOWvm
— 🇺🇸🇮🇱🇺🇦🕉Stevie Van Zandt☮️💙 (@StevieVanZandt) August 2, 2026
Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who played Meadow Soprano, shared a photo of Pastore on her Instagram Stories, declaring, “A wonderful actor, a kind and loving man. It was an honor to know you and work with you.”
Jamie-Lynn Sigler/Instagram
Lorraine Bracco, who played Dr. Jennifer Melfi, also took to her Instagram Stories, “Such a funny & charming man… just a beautiful soul. Absolutely heartbreaking.”
Lorraine Bracco/Instagram
Meanwhile, Joe Pantoliano, who played Ralph Cifaretto, took to Instagram with a tribute to Patore.
“God bless him. He made it to 80,” he began the post. “Vin and I were never actually on set together, but through our Sopranos family I got to know him over the years. I always liked him. He had this incredible appetite for the business and he never lost that spark. That always made me smile.”
Pantoliano concluded, “My heart goes out to his family, his friends and everyone who loved him. Rest easy, Vin.”
In addition to his Sopranos role, Pastore was known for his roles in the films Goodfellas (1990), Carlito’s Way (1993), Gotti (1996), Mickey Blue Eyes (1999), Shark Tale (2004), and Revolver (2005), among others. TV-wise, he appeared in shows such as Law & Order, Everybody Hates Chris, General Hospital, and more. He most recently appeared in an episode of Yellowjackets in 2025 and had several upcoming projects.
The Sopranos aired for six seasons from 1999 to 2007. Aside from Pastore, Bracco, Imperioli, Sigler, and Zandt, it starred James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, Dominic Chianese, Tony Sirico, Robert Iler, Aida Turturro, Drea de Matteo, Steve Schirripa, and more.
The Sopranos, streaming on HBO Max.