American actor Vincent Pastore, best known for his role as Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero in the hit series "The Sopranos," has died at the age of 80, as reported by infohub.kz.
His representative confirmed that Pastore, who played Tony Soprano's best friend in the HBO crime drama, passed away. Manager Robert Attermann said Pastore, who had long resided in the Bronx, New York, died at his home. His body was discovered by friends on Saturday. The cause of death has not been disclosed.
"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 than just a friend," Attermann said, using the nickname of Pastore's character in "The Sopranos."
Pastore, a veteran actor who often appeared in gritty, violent tales of Italian-American mob life, rose to fame in 1999 when he landed the role of Bonpensiero—Tony Soprano's best friend, family enforcer, and ultimately an FBI informant whose cooperation threatened to bring down the New Jersey mob in the acclaimed drama.
Pastore was born on July 14, 1946, in the Bronx. He served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and later graduated from Pace University with a degree in dramatic arts. He began his acting career in the late 1980s at the age of 36, gaining widespread recognition in 1999 for his role in "The Sopranos."