The Sopranos star Vincent Pastore dies aged 80

US actor Vincent Pastore, known for his portrayal of Salvatore Big Pussy Bonpensiero on The Sopranos, passed away at the age of 80, according to multiple American news sources. His body was discovered in his Bronx, New York residence, with no apparent signs of foul play, as reported by CBS News.

In the popular series, Pastore played Tony Soprano's loyal best friend and later an informant for the FBI. His character's demise in season two remains one of the show's most iconic storylines. Robert Attermann, Pastore's manager, told CBS News that to the world, Pastore would be remembered as the unforgettable Big Pussy, but privately, he was much more.

Attermann praised Pastore's passion for acting, his generosity towards aspiring actors, and his humor. He expressed deep personal loss, noting over three decades of friendship, loyalty, and support. Pastore was born in the Bronx in 1946 and served in the US Navy during the Vietnam War before pursuing an acting career. His film credits include Goodfellas and Carlito's Way, while his TV appearances spanned Law & Order, General Hospital, and Hawaii Five-O.

However, it was his role in The Sopranos that garnered widespread recognition for Pastore, who appeared in all six seasons despite his character's untimely death. In 2000, Pastore and his fellow cast members of The Sopranos were honored with a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.