Rome, 2 Aug. (LaPresse) – The film world is in mourning. Vincent Pastore, best known for playing the Mafia informant Salvatore ‘Big Pussy’ Bonpensiero in the series ‘The Sopranos’, has died at the age of 80. Pastore was found dead on Saturday at his home in the Bronx by a friend who had gone to check on him after three days without hearing from him, as confirmed to *The Times* by his manager Steve Atterman. The cause of death has not been disclosed. Although Pastore was best known for his role in the HBO drama series alongside the late James Gandolfini, he was often cast as an Italian-American villain in other film and television projects. His early work included ‘Goodfellas’, ‘Carlito’s Way’ and ‘The Jerky Boys: The Movie’. He also appeared in the 1996 HBO TV film *Gotti*, alongside his future *The Sopranos* co-stars Tony Sirico, Dominic Chianese and Frank Vincent. In a 1999 interview with *The Times*, Pastore explained the secret of his success and why the brothers had seen potential in him: “I think it’s because I looked the part of a gangster.” A native of New York, Pastore was born on 14 July 1946 in the Bronx. He served in the Vietnam War and graduated with a degree in drama from Pace University. He spent much of his youth running bars and nightclubs in New Rochelle.
Film: Vincent Pastore, ‘Big Pussy’ from ‘The Sopranos’, has died
Rome, 2 Aug. (LaPresse) – The film world is in mourning. Vincent Pastore, best known for playing the Mafia informant Salvatore ‘Big Pussy’ Bonpensiero in the series ‘The Sopranos’, has died at the age of 80. Pastore was found dead on Saturday at his home in the Bronx by a friend who had gone to check on him after three days without hearing from him, as confirmed to *The Times* by his manager Steve Atterman. The cause of death has not been disclosed. Although Pastore was best known for his role in the HBO drama series alongside the late James Gandolfini, he was often cast as an Italian-American villain in other film and television projects. His early work included ‘Goodfellas’, ‘Carlito’s Way’ and ‘The Jerky Boys: The Movie’. He also appeared in the 1996 HBO TV film *Gotti*, alongside his future *The Sopranos* co-stars Tony Sirico, Dominic Chianese and Frank Vincent. In a 1999 interview with *The Times*, Pastore explained the secret of his success and why the brothers had seen potential in him: “I think it’s because I looked the part of a gangster.” A native of New York, Pastore was born on 14 July 1946 in the Bronx. He served in the Vietnam War and graduated with a degree in drama from Pace University. He spent much of his youth running bars and nightclubs in New Rochelle.
