BRONX — Vincent Pastore, the actor best known for his role as Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero in the television series The Sopranos, died at the age of 80. His body was found at his home in the Bronx, New York City, on Saturday.

Police sources stated that Pastore died of natural causes. Authorities also confirmed there was no indication of criminality in his death. Pastore had not been heard from for several days prior to being found by his longtime friend Stephen Villano.

Pastore celebrated his 80th birthday on July 14, 2026, just weeks before his passing. He was born on July 14, 1946, in the Bronx and grew up in New Rochelle, New York. Before beginning his acting career, he served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and later earned a degree in drama from Pace University.

His portrayal of Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero, a fictional character from The Sopranos, defined much of his public legacy. Pastore appeared in all six seasons of the HBO drama. In 2000, he and the cast of The Sopranos won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.

Beyond The Sopranos, Pastore maintained a steady presence in film and television for decades. He had roles in the films Goodfellas and Carlito's Way, and appeared in the 1990 film Awakenings. In 1996, he appeared in the HBO movie Gotti. His filmography also included appearances in Shark Tale, Mickey Blue Eyes, Revolver, Once Upon a Time in Brooklyn, Men of Respect, The Jerky Boys: The Movie, Witness to the Mob, The Deli, Spinning Gold, Bachelor Party Vegas, A Brooklyn State of Mind, and This Thing of Ours.

On television, Pastore appeared in Law & Order, General Hospital, Hawaii Five-0, One Life to Live, Blue Bloods, The Practice, New York Undercover, Bull, Son of the Beach, Queens Supreme, and Pair of Kings. He was a series regular on Gravesend in 2022 and appeared in the television series Yellowjackets in 2025. His reality television credits included stints as a contestant on Dancing With the Stars, Shark Tank, Celebrity Apprentice, and Celebrity Family Feud. He also hosted the show The Wise Guy on SiriusXM.

Robert Attermann, Pastore's manager, issued a statement reflecting on the actor's life and career. "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," Attermann said. He described Pastore as a dedicated professional who mentored others in the industry.

"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."

Fellow actors from The Sopranos also shared tributes. Actress Edie Falco commented on the sudden nature of the news. "It’s an awful loss. So unexpected. Vinnie was always so full of life," Falco said.

Actor Michael Imperioli recalled their long professional and personal relationship. "This is a hard one for us, it seems like I’ve known Vinny forever. We did lots of work together and traveled all over the USA as well as Italy and Australia. Lots of good times. Lots of laughs. Vinny was a kind hearted brother who cared deeply about his family and friends. I will miss him always, Imperioli wrote. Actress Lorraine Bracco offered her condolences as well. Such a funny & charming man…just a beautiful soul, Bracco posted. Actor Dominic Chianese also paid tribute. We lost a friend today. Paying respect and sending Love in tribute. You were a gem Vinnie," Chianese wrote.

Pastore remained active in the arts and his community throughout his life. He founded Renegade Theater NYC with Maureen Van Zandt and performed with the band Gangster Squad. In recognition of his contributions to his borough, he was inducted into the Bronx Walk of Fame in 2016.

The Bronx Walk of Fame is a hall of fame located in New York, U.S. Pastore was also a prostate cancer survivor. He is survived by his daughter, Renee Pastore.

Why It Matters

Pastore's death at 80 marks the loss of a defining figure from The Sopranos, a series that earned a Screen Actors Guild Award for its ensemble cast. His career spanned decades, connecting acclaimed dramas like Law & Order with major films such as Goodfellas and Carlito's Way. As a Bronx native who returned to the borough for his final days, his passing closes a chapter on a specific era of New York-centric storytelling in American media.