Vincent Pastore, an actor widely recognized for his portrayal of Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero on the acclaimed HBO series "The Sopranos," has died at the age of 80. He was found dead at his home in the Bronx on Saturday, with police sources indicating the cause of death was natural causes.
Stephen Villano, a longtime friend and associate of Pastore, described the actor as a loyal friend who cared deeply for his community and various charitable causes. Villano, who had known Pastore for nearly three decades, served as his driver before their relationship evolved into a close friendship.
"He was an amazing individual and he loved his craft… his craft was to Broadway, movies, television," Villano told The Post. "He was totally healthy. He was fine. He just went for his yearly physical."
Just weeks before his death, Pastore celebrated his 80th birthday on July 14, sharing a cake with Villano, whom he referred to as his "right-hand man." Villano recalled the celebration, noting that Pastore was laughing and blew out candles after guests sang "Happy Birthday."
Pastore was not known to be ill prior to his passing, according to Villano, who last spoke with the actor on Thursday. Villano indicated that Pastore had many plans, including upcoming television shows, premieres, and involvement with his old-rock music band, the "Gangster Squad," where he performed vocals and played the tambourine.
"He was a good man. I will miss him a lot," Villano said, visibly emotional. "I did everything with Vinny. I drove him to places. I took him to his doctor appointment, I sat with him on shows. I traveled with him."
Friends, neighbors, and fellow actor and stuntman Chuck Zito gathered at Pastore's Bronx home on Saturday evening to remember the actor, who had resided there for 30 years. Known for often playing mobster characters, Pastore's real-life persona was different from his on-screen roles.
"He said, ‘I'm an actor. I play a character.' So people would think that this is the man, but that wasn’t the man," Villano explained. "The man was generous, he was kind, he was caring."
Pastore was also remembered for his philanthropic efforts. Villano stated that the actor supported numerous charities and causes, including veterans in the Bronx, U.S. troops, and the NYPD. He also contributed to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital and organized events for the families of fallen officers.
"He cared about his neighbors, he cared about charities, he cared about fundraisers," Villano said. "Widows, orphans, their Christmas parties…all the time, back to blue."
Pastore, a survivor of prostate cancer, also used his experience to support others battling the disease. Villano mentioned that Pastore donated all of his winnings from an appearance on "The Apprentice" to a charity.
While "The Sopranos" significantly boosted Pastore's career from 1999 to 2007, his acting career spanned various genres. Villano noted that Pastore played a multitude of characters in dramas, comedies, and horror films, and was also a comedian.
The cast of "The Sopranos" shared tributes to Pastore, remembering him as a "beloved friend" and a "beautiful soul." Pastore expressed gratitude for the opportunities "The Sopranos" provided, calling it his "career launching pad" and maintaining close friendships with cast members such as Steven Van Zandt, Steve Schirripa, Michael Imperioli, and Vince Curatola.