Vincent Pastore, known for his role as Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero in the HBO series "The Sopranos," made his last public appearance on June 8, 2024, supporting his longtime friend Steven Van Zandt at the premiere of "Stevie Van Zandt: Disciple" at the Tribeca Festival in New York City. Pastore died on Saturday at age 80, with a police source indicating the cause was natural causes.
On the red carpet, Pastore, dressed in a black polo and jeans, posed with Van Zandt, who sported a colorful orange outfit, bandana, and purple sunglasses. The two actors, who were castmates on "The Sopranos," appeared cheerful, with photos capturing Van Zandt playfully pinching Pastore's cheek.
Pastore's manager, Robert Attermann, shared a statement mourning the actor's death. "I had the privilege of representing Vinny for more than 30 years, long before ‘The Sopranos’ made him a household name," Attermann said. "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 described Pastore as one of the kindest and most generous people he had ever known, noting his consistent warmth and respect for fans. "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," the statement continued.
Pastore was born in the Bronx in 1946. After serving in the Vietnam War and earning a drama degree from Pace University, he appeared in films such as "Goodfellas" and "Carlito's Way" in the 1990s. He cited the 1996 HBO movie "Gotti" as a turning point in his career, allowing him to be recognized by fans for his portrayal of mobster Angelo Ruggiero.
However, his role as "Big Pussy" on "The Sopranos" remains his most recognized performance. He and the rest of the "Sopranos" cast received the Screen Actors Guild Award for outstanding performance by an ensemble in a drama series in 2000. Following his death, "Sopranos" co-stars Edie Falco, Michael Imperioli, Lorraine Bracco, and Dominic Chianese paid tribute to Pastore's memory.