Vincent Pastore, who gained widespread recognition for his portrayal of mobster Salvatore 'Big Pu**y' Bonpensiero in HBO's acclaimed series "The Sopranos," has died at the age of 80. His death is currently under investigation after his body was discovered at his Bronx apartment, according to Deadline.
Pastore was a familiar face to "The Sopranos" fans for his nuanced performance as Bonpensiero, a character who was ultimately revealed to be an FBI informant and met his demise in a pivotal storyline.
Born in the Bronx in 1946, Pastore hailed from an Italian-American family. His career often saw him cast in mob-related roles, including an early part in "Goodfellas" and a more substantial role in the 1996 HBO film "Gotti." His television work also included numerous guest appearances on "Law & Order" and participation in reality programs such as "Celebrity Apprentice" and "Dancing with the Stars."
In his later years, Pastore was involved with a theater company that produced several plays annually and reunited him with former "Sopranos" cast members. He is survived by his daughter, Renee.
Pastore's journey to acting began after serving in the U.S. Navy. He initially pursued a career in business, opening bars and clubs, but he harbored acting aspirations, having earned a drama degree from Pace University. His path into acting reportedly gained momentum after he met actors Kevin and Matt Dillon while working as a limousine driver in New York City.
His filmography includes "Carlito's Way," "The Jerky Boys: The Movie," and the animated film "Shark Tale." On stage, he appeared in the Broadway revival of "Chicago" and the original cast of the musical "Bullets Over Broadway," where he was diagnosed with prostate cancer but continued to perform during treatment.
Pastore often spoke about the emotional toll of portraying Bonpensiero's internal conflict, particularly the character's struggle with being an FBI informant. He described playing the role as challenging, especially scenes depicting his character's guilt and betrayal.
He also defended his late "Sopranos" co-star James Gandolfini, reacting to critical remarks made about the actor after his death. Pastore expressed that Gandolfini carried a significant burden as the lead of the series for seven seasons.