Vincent Pastore Sop Sopranos Actor Dies at 80

Vincent Pastore, the veteran character actor best known for his iconic portrayal of mob informant Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero on HBO's "The Sopranos," has died. He was 80. Pastore was found deceased in his home in the Bronx, New York, on Saturday, August 1, 2026, after a neighbor alerted authorities, having not heard from him for several days. The circumstances of his death are under investigation, and no cause has been officially determined.

Pastore's manager, Bob McGowan, confirmed the actor's passing, describing him as a great and charitable person. While initial reports indicated a neighbor discovered Pastore, other accounts state he was found by his longtime friend and assistant, Steve Villano, who said it appeared the actor died peacefully in his sleep.

Born in the Bronx on July 14, 1946, Pastore served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War before studying drama at Pace University. He spent two decades running bars and nightclubs, including the Crazy Horse in New Rochelle, New York, before beginning his professional acting career in his early 40s.

His early film roles included parts in Martin Scorsese's "Goodfellas" (1990) and Brian De Palma's "Carlito's Way"...