Sopranos actor Vincent Pastore, known for playing mobsters and tough guys, dies aged 80

Lead

Vincent Pastore, the veteran actor best known for playing Salvatore "Big P" Bonpensiero on HBO's The Sopranos, has died at the age of 80, his manager confirmed on Saturday.

Pastore was found in his home in New York after not being heard from for a few days, his manager Bob McGowan told the Associated Press. McGowan, who had managed Pastore since his run on The Sopranos, said he learned of the actor's death from another client and actor on the show, Vincent Curatola. McGowan added that he had been trying to reach Pastore about a possible job.

Coverage Comparison

Reports of where exactly Pastore was found vary. ABC Australia and the South China Morning Post, citing McGowan, said he was found in his home on New York's City Island. The Guardian, also citing McGowan, described the location as New York's City Long Island. The Jerusalem Post, citing law enforcement sources via CBS News, said Pastore was found at his home in the Bronx, New York City, and that there was no indication of criminality. The TASS news agency reported that his body was discovered at his New York home by his friend Steven Villano, citing the TMZ portal.

No cause of death has been announced, according to all six outlets.

Tributes came from Pastore's managers. Bob McGowan told the AP: "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." Robert Attermann, who was described by the Jerusalem Post as Pastore's longtime manager, told CBS News: "To the world, he will always be remembered as the unforgettable 'Big,' but to those of us who knew him, he was so much more." He 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."

Key Claims

• Age and death: Vincent Pastore died at 80, as reported by all six outlets.
• Discovery location: The location where Pastore was found is disputed: ABC Australia and the South China Morning Post report City Island; The Guardian reports City Long Island; the Jerusalem Post reports the Bronx; TASS reports his New York home.
• Career: Pastore played Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero, a friend of Tony Soprano who becomes an FBI informant, in a 30-episode run on The Sopranos, as reported by ABC Australia and The Guardian. The BBC and Jerusalem Postalso note he appeared in all six seasons of the show. He appeared in films such as Goodfellas and Awakenings (ABC, The Guardian, South China Morning Post), as well as Carlito's Way (BBC, Jerusalem Post, TASS). He won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2000, according to the BBC and the Jerusalem Post.
• Personal life: Born in the Bronx in 1946, he grew up in New Rochelle, New York, and enlisted in the US Navy during the Vietnam War, as reported by ABC Australia, The Guardian, and the South China Morning Post. He has a daughter, Renee Pastore, according to ABC Australia and The Guardian.