Vincent Pastore, the actor best known for playing Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero in HBO's The Sopranos, has died at the age of 80. He was discovered dead at his Bronx home on Saturday, 1 August, by a neighbour who had not seen or heard from him for three days, according to Deadline.
The circumstances surrounding his death remain under investigation, the publication reported. The actor had a long screen career, appearing in nearly 200 films and television programmes, including GoodFellas, Carlito's Way, The Jerky Boys: The Movie, Gotti and many more. His most recent appearance was in a 2025 episode of Yellowjackets.
Career and investigation
Deadline was first to report Pastore's death. The cause of death has yet to be made public, reports the Mirror US.
Pastore was born into an Italian-American family in the Bronx, New York City, on 14 July 1946. He was raised in a flat above a social club in New Rochelle, New York, and completed his schooling at New Rochelle High School in 1964.
Early life and military service
Following graduation, Pastore enlisted in the U.S. Navy and served three years during the Vietnam War. He later returned to New York and earned a degree in drama from Pace University, having switched his studies away from business.
