Actor Vincent Pastore, 'Big Pussy' on 'The Sopranos', dies at 80
Pastore, best known for playing Salvatore 'Big Pussy' Bonpensiero, was found dead at his home in New York City.
Talivio News · Global2 min read
Aa
T
Vincent Pastore, the actor best known for playing Salvatore 'Big Pussy' Bonpensiero on The Sopranos, has died at the age of 80. His manager, Robert Attermann, confirmed his death.
Pastore was found dead at his home in New York City, according to multiple reports. He had not been heard from for several days before being found. There was no indication of criminality in his death, and the cause was not immediately known.
To the world, he will always be remembered as the unforgettable 'Big Pussy,' but to those of us who knew him, he was so much more.
Attermann, who represented Pastore for over three decades, paid tribute to the actor. He described him as 'one of the kindest, most generous people I have ever known.' He added that Pastore 'loved being an actor' and was 'passionate about his craft,' always encouraging and generous with young actors.
For me, losing Vinny is deeply personal. Over more than three decades, I had the honor of watching not only his remarkable career but also the incredible person he was.
— Robert Attermann, Pastore's manager
Bob McGowan, who managed Pastore during his time on The Sopranos, said he learned of the actor's death on Saturday from Vincent Curatola. McGowan mentioned he had been trying to reach Pastore about a possible job. He praised Pastore as 'the most loyal client' who 'always gave to charity' and would help anyone.
Career
Born in the Bronx in 1946, Pastore grew up in suburban New Rochelle, New York. He enlisted in the US Navy during the Vietnam War and later attended Pace University, graduating from its theater department.
Pastore's film career spanned decades, with roles in Goodfellas, Awakenings, Carlito's Way, and numerous other films. On television, he appeared in shows such as Law & Order, General Hospital, and Hawaii Five-O. He was known for playing mobsters and tough guys.
6 seasons
Pastore appeared in all six seasons of The Sopranos.
His iconic character, Big Pussy, was a friend of Tony Soprano who became an FBI informant, making him a member of Tony's inner circle before his betrayal. The character was killed off in the second series, in one of the show's most memorable storylines. Pastore appeared in all six seasons of the series.
In 2000, Pastore and his The Sopranos castmates won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. He is survived by his daughter Renee.
Updates
Single sources report that Pastore's body was discovered by a neighbor in his Bronx home after he had gone unheard from for three days, though the exact location of the residence is disputed between City Island and the Bronx. Additionally, longtime collaborator Michael Imperioli shared a tribute on Instagram, describing him as a 'kind hearted brother who cared deeply about his family and friends.'
A single source reports that Pastore was discovered dead in his Bronx home by a neighbor after being unheard from for three days, while Robert Attermann has confirmed the death to Fox News Digital. There are conflicting reports regarding the exact location of the discovery, with some sources disputing whether he was found on City Island or Long Island.
A single source reports that a neighbor discovered Pastore dead in his Bronx home after he had not been heard from for three days. Meanwhile, Robert Attermann has confirmed the actor's death to Fox News Digital, and conflicting reports have emerged regarding whether he was found in City Island, Long Island, or the Bronx.
Reports regarding the location of Pastore's death remain disputed, with conflicting claims placing him in the Bronx, City Island, or Long Island. Additionally, Robert Attermann has confirmed the actor's passing to Fox News Digital, while longtime collaborator Michael Imperioli shared tributes on Instagram, remembering him as a kind-hearted brother.
While some sources conflict on the exact location, a single source reports that a neighbor found Pastore dead in his Bronx home after he had been unheard from for three days. Additionally, Robert Attermann has officially confirmed the actor's death to Fox News Digital.
Reports indicate that Pastore's body was discovered by his neighbor in his Bronx home after he had been unheard from for three days. While his exact location remains disputed among sources, including conflicting claims of City Island or Long Island, Robert Attermann has confirmed the actor's death to Fox News Digital. Additionally, longtime friend Michael Imperioli shared tributes on Instagram, noting their extensive professional collaborations across the USA, Italy, and Australia.
According to a single source, Pastore was found dead in his Bronx home by a neighbor after being unheard from for three days. Robert Attermann confirmed the death to Fox News Digital, while Michael Imperioli and Attermann shared tributes regarding Pastore's character and legacy. Conflicting reports regarding the exact location of the discovery persist, with some sources disputing whether he was found on City Island or Long Island.
Pastore's manager Robert Attermann confirmed his death to Fox News Digital, stating the actor passed away at his home in The Bronx. While some sources dispute his exact location, a single source reports he was found dead by a neighbor after being unheard from for three days. Additionally, it has been noted that his most recent acting credits included roles in Gravesend and Yellowjackets.
Pastore's manager Robert Attermann confirmed the death to Fox News Digital, stating the actor passed away at his home in the Bronx. While some reports disputedly place the location on City Island or Long Island, a single source claims a neighbor found him after he had not been heard from for three days. Additionally, his recent acting credits include roles in Gravesend (2022) and Yellowjackets (2025).
Pastore's manager Robert Attermann confirmed the death, stating the actor passed away at his home in the Bronx. While his exact location is disputed by some as being on City Island or Long Island, a single source reported he was found by a neighbor after being unheard from for three days. Recent credits for the actor include roles in Gravesend (2022) and Yellowjackets (2025).
Pastore's manager Robert Attermann confirmed the death to Fox News Digital and AFP, stating that the actor passed away at his home in the Bronx. While his exact location is disputed among some sources, others report he was found by a neighbor after being unheard from for three days. Additionally, new details reveal his recent acting credits included roles in Gravesend (2022) and Yellowjackets (2025).
