Vincent Pastore, 'Sopranos' Star, Dies at 80

Vincent Pastore, the veteran actor best known for playing Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero in HBO's critically acclaimed series "The Sopranos," has died at age 80. His body was discovered on Saturday, August 1, 2026, in his Bronx home by his longtime friend Stephen Villano after he had not been heard from for several days. The Fire Department of New York responded to a call about an unresponsive male around 2:30 PM local time; the cause of death remains under investigation.

Born in the Bronx on July 14, 1946, Pastore served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War before earning a drama degree from Pace University. He began his acting career in the 1980s, initially landing minor roles in mob-related films including "Goodfellas" and "Carlito's Way." His breakthrough came in 1999 when he was cast as Big Pussy, the trusted member of Tony Soprano's crew who becomes an FBI informant. The character's murder scene became one of the Emmy-winning series' most memorable moments across the show's seven seasons and 30 episodes featuring Pastore.

Beyond "The Sopranos," Pastore built an extensive career in film and television. His filmography includes "Mickey Blue Eyes," "Shark Tale," "Spinning Gold," "Once Upon a Time in Brooklyn," "Revolver," and "Gotti," among others. He appeared regularly on television shows including "Law & Order," "The Practice," "Hawaii Five-0," "Wu-Tang: An American Saga," and recently "Yellowjackets." During the 2000s, he became a recognizable figure on reality television, appearing on "Celebrity Apprentice," "Dancing with the Stars," "Celebrity Family Feud," and "Celebrity Fit Club."

Pastore's manager, Bob McGowan, told the Associated Press that the actor was "the most loyal client" and "the kind of guy who would help anybody," noting his consistent charitable work. McGowan said he had been trying to reach Pastore about a possible job when he learned of his death from fellow actor Vincent Curatola. Pastore is survived by his daughter, Renee.