Vincent Pastore, best known for his role as Salvatore ‘Big Pussy’ Bonpensiero in the HBO series ‘The Sopranos,’ has died at 80, according to CBS News. His manager Robert Attermann confirmed the death on Saturday, stating that Pastore was found in his Bronx home with no signs of criminality involved.

Early Life and Career

Pastore was born on July 14, 1946, in the Bronx, while he served in the Vietnam War before earning a degree in drama from Pace University. Before his breakthrough in ‘The Sopranos,’ he appeared in films such as ‘Goodfellas,’ ‘Carlito’s Way,’ and ‘Men of Respect,’ according to CBS News.

Pastore’s career spanned film and television. He portrayed tough characters in movies, including Martin Scorsese’s ‘Goodfellas’ and Brian De Palma’s ‘Carlito’s Way,’ according to Spiegel; he also appeared on numerous TV shows, including ‘Celebrity Apprentice,’ ‘Law & Order,’ ‘Blue Bloods,’ and ‘Hawaii Five-0.’

Legacy in ‘The Sopranos’

Pastore played ‘Big Pussy’ in all six seasons of ‘The Sopranos,’ which aired from 1999 to 2007; Although his character was killed in season two after being exposed as an FBI informant, he returned for guest appearances in later seasons.

His performance in the role earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2000. He was nominated again in 2001. ‘The Sopranos’ was praised for changing television and later streaming settings, according to Spiegel.

Robert Attermann said that Pastore was a devoted actor who ‘loved being an actor.’ His manager added that he was a loyal client who always contributed to the good cause. ‘He was a man who helped everyone at any time,’ Attermann said. ‘That is rare in this business.’

Recent Work and Personal Life

Pastore most recently appeared in ‘Gravesend’ in 2022 and guest-starred in ‘Yellowjackets’ in 2025. He came from a US-Italian family and grew up in New Rochelle, New York, according to Spiegel.

Before becoming an actor, he worked as a soldier in the US Marine Corps and owned a nightclub. He was known for his larger-than-life presence on screen and off. His death was reported by AFP after several days of no contact with friends and family.