Vincent Pastore of The Sopranos dies at 80

Vincent Pastore, the Bronx-born actor whose turn as Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on “The Sopranos” made him one of television’s most recognizable mob figures, has died. He was 80.

His manager, Robert Attermann, confirmed the death Saturday, saying Pastore died at his home in the Bronx. CBS News, citing authorities, reported that Pastore was found dead inside the home Saturday afternoon and that there was no indication of criminality. A cause of death was not provided.

“I had the privilege of representing Vinny for more than 30 years, long before The Sopranos made him a household name,” Attermann said in a statement. “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.”

Pastore played Bonpensiero, Tony Soprano’s best friend, family enforcer and eventual FBI informant, on HBO’s acclaimed mob drama, which premiered in 1999 and ran for six seasons. His character was killed in the show’s second season after being exposed as an informant, but Pastore returned for guest appearances in later seasons.

The role brought Pastore widespread recognition after years of work in film, television and theater, often in stories centered on organized crime. The cast of “The Sopranos” won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2000 and received another nomination the following year.

The Bronx Walk of Fame, which inducted Pastore in 2016, said his performance as Bonpensiero “earned him widespread recognition and praise.” The organization said his “ability to bring depth and authenticity to his character contributed to the show’s success and solidified his place in television history.”

Pastore was born in the Bronx and grew up in New Rochelle, New York. NBC News, citing an IMDb biography, reported that he served in the U.S. Navy and attended Pace University. CBS News reported that he was born July 14, 1946, fought in the Vietnam War and graduated from Pace University with a degree in drama.

Before acting became his career, Pastore worked in the nightclub industry. During a 2015 appearance on “Good Day New York,” he said he moved deeper into acting after befriending Matt Dillon and Kevin Dillon. According to a biography on the website of HB Studio, where Pastore later taught, one of his breakthroughs came in director Nancy Savoca’s Bronx comedy “True Love.”

His film credits included “Goodfellas,” Martin Scorsese’s 1990 mob classic, as well as “Carlito’s Way,” “Men of Respect,” “The Jerky Boys: The Movie,” “Gotti,” “Once Upon a Time in Brooklyn” and other crime dramas. On television, he appeared in “Law & Order,” “Blue Bloods,” “General Hospital,” “The Practice,” “Hawaii Five-0,” “One Life to Live” and “Celebrity Apprentice.” CBS News reported that he was a series regular on “Gravesend” in 2022 and guest-starred on “Yellowjackets” in 2025.

Pastore also performed music as the frontman of Gangster Squad, a band that played small venues in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The band’s Facebook group described its repertoire as “a mixture of classic hits from all different music genres, Rhythm and Blues, Rock & Roll, Funk, Soul, and Reggae.”

Attermann described Pastore as generous with fans and young actors alike. “He treated everyone with warmth and respect, never turning down a fan who wanted a photograph or an autograph,” he said. “He genuinely appreciated the people who supported him and always made them feel valued.”

“He loved being an actor,” Attermann said. “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.”