Sopranos actor Vincent Pastore, known for playing Salvatore 'Big Pussy' Bonpensiero, dies at 80

Discovery and death

Vincent Pastore was found dead at his home on City Island, New York, on Saturday, 1 August 2026, after not being heard from for several days. He was 80. A neighbour discovered the body after three days without contact, according to Deutsche Welle. His longtime manager Bob McGowan told the Associated Press that he learned of the death from Vincent Curatola, another actor from The Sopranos. McGowan had been trying to reach Pastore about a possible job. Police were conducting a standard check to determine the exact cause of death, though CBS News reported no indication of criminality. Pastore's manager also confirmed the death to Fox News, calling him one of the kindest and most generous people he had known.

Career and The Sopranos

Pastore appeared in films from the 1980s, often playing Italian-American gangsters and tough guys. The New York Times noted that he built a career portraying mob enforcers and other organised-crime figures. He had roles in Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas (1990) and Penny Marshall's Awakenings (1990), as well as Carlito's Way and A Bronx Tale. His defining role came with HBO's The Sopranos, where he played Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero across 30 episodes. The character, Tony Soprano's best friend who becomes an FBI informant, was killed off in the second season in one of the show's most memorable storylines. Pastore also appeared in television series such as Everybody Hates Chris, Blue-Eyed Mickey, Money Train, Revolver, Once Upon a Time in Brooklyn, and Hornets, according to Deutsche Welle.

Tributes

McGowan described Pastore as "the most loyal client" who "always gave to charity" and "was the kind of guy who would help anybody, which is rare in my business."

He was the most loyal client and he always gave to charity, and he was the kind of guy who would help anybody, which is rare in my business.

Another manager, Robert Attermann, told CBS News: "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."

Michael Imperioli, a friend and Sopranos co-star, posted on Instagram that he felt he had known Pastore forever. "We worked a lot together and travelled all over America, as well as Italy and Australia. We spent many beautiful moments. We laughed a lot," Imperioli wrote. "Vinny was a good-hearted brother who cared deeply about his family and friends. I will always miss him."

We worked a lot together and travelled all over America, as well as Italy and Australia. We spent many beautiful moments. We laughed a lot. Vinny was a good-hearted brother who cared deeply about his family and friends. I will always miss him.

Personal life

Vincent Pastore was born in the Bronx and grew up in New Rochelle, New York. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and later attended Pace University. He is survived by his daughter, Renee Pastore.

Final film

Pastore's last screen appearance is in the crime thriller "Bad News at the Doorstep," which is scheduled for U.S. release on 8 August 2026.