Vincent Pastore, Star of ‘The Sopranos,’ Passes Away at 80

Vincent Pastore, who gained fame for his role in “The Sopranos” television series, has passed away at the age of 80. His manager confirmed the news to CBS News.

“I had the privilege of representing Vinny for more than 30 years, long before The Sopranos made him a household name,” said his manager, Robert Attermann. “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 was found dead in his Bronx home on Saturday. Authorities reported no signs of criminal activity. He was born in the Bronx on July 14, 1946, and served in the Vietnam War before pursuing a drama degree at Pace University.

Pastore played Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero throughout the six seasons of “The Sopranos,” which aired from 1999 to 2007. His character was killed off in the second season after being exposed as an FBI informant, but he returned for guest appearances in subsequent seasons.

His early film career included roles in movies such as “Goodfellas,” “Carlito’s Way,” and “Men of Respect.” Later, he appeared in “The Jerky Boys: The Movie” and “Gotti.” On television, Pastore featured in shows like “Celebrity Apprentice,” “Law & Order,” “Blue Bloods,” “General Hospital,” “The Practice,” “Hawaii Five-0,” and “One Life to Live.” He was a series regular on “Gravesend” in 2022 and guest-starred on “Yellowjackets” in 2025.

As part of “The Sopranos” cast, Pastore and his colleagues 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.

Attermann shared, “He loved being an actor. 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. For me, losing Vinny is deeply personal. Over more than three decades, I had the honor of watching not only his remarkable career but also the incredible person he was. I will miss his friendship, his loyalty, his humor, and his heart.”