Vincent Pastore, the veteran character actor best known for playing Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on "The Sopranos," has died at the age of 80. His death was confirmed to The Associated Press by Bob McGowan, who had managed Pastore since his time on the HBO series.
Pastore built a screen identity around mobsters, enforcers and other hard-edged characters, becoming a familiar face to audiences who recognized his gravelly presence and tough-guy style. While he appeared in a range of projects over the years, his work on "The Sopranos" made him especially memorable and tied his name closely to one of television’s defining crime dramas.
His portrayal of Big Pussy helped make him a standout in the show’s early run, and the role remained the performance most associated with his career. For many viewers, Pastore was one of the actors who gave the series its lived-in New York and New Jersey underworld feel.
News of his death marks the loss of a performer whose specialty was playing intimidating, streetwise characters with authenticity. Pastore leaves behind a long acting career and a role on "The Sopranos" that kept him firmly in popular culture.
