Vincent Pastore, Tony’s Enforcer On ‘The Sopranos,’ Dies At 80

Vincent Pastore, the actor renowned for his portrayal of Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero on HBO's The Sopranos, has passed away at the age of 80. The news was confirmed by TMZ, which reported that a neighbor discovered Pastore dead on Saturday. The New York Police Department is now investigating the cause of death. Big Pussy, an enforcer for Tony Soprano, made his debut in Season 2 of the series in 1999 but was killed off in the Season 2 finale.

Despite his on-screen demise, Pastore appeared in 30 episodes of the show over its six-season run. Born on July 14, 1946, in the Bronx, New York, Pastore made his screen debut in the 1988 horror film Black Roses. Throughout his extensive career, which spanned over 180 screen projects, Pastore appeared in a multitude of films and TV shows, including Goodfellas, Awakenings, Law & Order, Corky Romano, and the animated hit Shark Tale.

His final role was a guest voice in Yellowjackets in 2025. Pastore had previously won a SAG Award for his ensemble work on The Sopranos and was nominated for the award again in 2001.