Death of actor Vincent Pastore, known for The Sopranos role as Salvatore 'Big Pussy' Bonpensiero
Consensus Summary
Vincent Pastore, an actor best known for playing Salvatore 'Big Pussy' Bonpensiero in The Sopranos, died at age 80. Both The Guardian and ABC report his death was discovered after he was not heard from for several days, with his body found in his home on New York’s City Island or Long Island. Pastore had a long career in film and television, beginning in the 1980s, with notable roles in Goodfellas and Awakenings, both released in 1990. He appeared in 30 episodes of The Sopranos and later attended the show’s 25th anniversary celebration in 2024. Pastore was born in the Bronx, grew up in New Rochelle, and enlisted in the navy during the Vietnam War before attending Pace University. He had a daughter, Renee, and was managed by Bob McGowan since his time on The Sopranos. The Guardian provides additional details about his early career, Broadway appearances, and reality TV roles, while ABC highlights his 2019 interview describing his character as 'a rat who got a lot of people in trouble'.
✓ Verified by 2+ sources
Key details reported by multiple sources:
- Vincent Pastore died at age 80
- Pastore played Salvatore 'Big Pussy' Bonpensiero in The Sopranos for a 30-episode run
- Pastore appeared in films Goodfellas and Awakenings, both released in 1990
- Pastore was born in the Bronx and grew up in suburban New Rochelle, New York
- Pastore enlisted in the navy during the Vietnam War and later attended Pace University
- Pastore has a daughter named Renee Pastore
- Pastore was found dead in his home on New York’s City Island (or Long Island, as per Guardian)
- Pastore began acting in the 1980s
- Pastore was managed by Bob McGowan since his run on The Sopranos
- Pastore described his character in The Sopranos as 'a rat who got a lot of people in trouble' in a 2019 interview
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Pastore’s death was reported by Bob McGowan, who learned of it from another Sopranos actor, Vincent Curatola, on Saturday
- Pastore’s character in The Sopranos was written by David Chase for an actor who could play a tough guy but also be sensitive
- Pastore’s death occurred after not being heard from for a few days, and McGowan was trying to reach him about a possible job
- Pastore’s father, John, was a school caretaker, and his mother, Natalie, cooked part-time for an Italian men’s social club
- Pastore made his film debut in 1988 in the Canadian horror movie Black Roses
- Pastore played in 15 movies between 1990 and 1995, including roles like 'Man With Coat-rack' in Goodfellas and 'Fat Tony' in Backstreet Dreams
- Pastore’s TV debut was in 1990 on the show H.E.L.P.
- Pastore won a Screen Actors Guild award for outstanding performance in an ensemble drama in 2000
- Pastore participated as a celebrity on Hollywood Squares and hosted Repo Men: Stealing for a Living
- Pastore lost 13kg on Celebrity Fit Club and withdrew from Dancing With the Stars after a week
- Pastore had a feud with Piers Morgan during his time on Celebrity Apprentice
- Pastore made his Broadway debut in Chicago in 2007 and joined the cast of General Hospital in 2008
- Pastore played recurring parts in Hawaii 5-0, Wu-Tang: An American Saga, and Gravesend
- Pastore had a leading role in the 2022 film The Black Caesar
- Pastore started a theatre company in 2021, reviving the play Lamp Post Reunion starring Danny Aiello
- Pastore lived alone in City Island in the Bronx
- Pastore’s marriage to Nancy Berke ended in divorce
- Pastore attended The Sopranos' 25th anniversary celebration in New York in 2024
- Pastore’s death was confirmed by Bob McGowan, who learned of it from Vincent Curatola on Saturday
- Pastore’s home was on New York’s City Island (not Long Island, as per Guardian)
- Pastore described his character in a 2019 interview with ABC Radio Sydney Breakfast
Where the reporting differs
Details that conflict, or appear in only some outlets:
- The Guardian says Pastore was found in his home on New York’s Long Island, but ABC says he was found on City Island in the Bronx
- The Guardian mentions Pastore’s death was reported by McGowan from another client and actor on the show, Vincent Curatola, but does not specify the day; ABC does not clarify the day either, but both sources agree on the method of learning about the death
Source Articles
Sopranos actor Vincent Pastore, known for playing mobsters and tough guys, dies aged 80
Veteran actor best-known for playing Salvatore ‘Big Pussy’ Bonpensiero, friend of Tony Soprano who becomes FBI informant Vincent Pastore, a veteran actor who played mobsters and tough guys, and was best-known for playing Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on The Sopranos, has died. He was 80. Bob McGowan, who had managed Pastore since his run on The Sopranos, told the Associated Press that he learned of his death Saturday from another client and actor on the show, Vincent Curatola. Continue readi
Sopranos star Vincent Pastore dies aged 80
Vincent Pastore is best remembered for portraying Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero in The Sopranos.
Vincent Pastore obituary
American actor best known for his role as Salvatore ‘Big Pussy’ Bonpensiero in the US TV crime drama series The Sopranos The character actor Vincent Pastore, who has died aged 80, made Italian mobster roles his speciality, most notably playing Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero, one of the capos in The Sopranos. Although the character’s nickname came from his early career as a cat burglar, in a recent interview Pastore said the Soprano’s creator, David Chase , had written the part “for an actor w
More Entertainment stories
Heavy rainfall and flash flooding hit south-east Queensland, causing rescues, school closures, and infrastructure damage
RJ Mitte, Breaking Bad actor and disability advocate, dies aged 34 by suicide
Powderfinger confirms reunion tour after 16-year hiatus, teasing return via cryptic clues
Death of Presley Gerber and family tributes
Israeli documentary NAZA exposes military's Gaza civilian casualty policies, sparking backlash
Kelly Clarkson and Brooklyn store Art of Play feud over $15,000 mechanical bird
Latest cross-verified stories
Trial of Beau Lamarre-Condon for alleged double murder of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies
Ukraine's Starlink restrictions disrupt military operations amid US political tensions
Whale carcasses wash up in Sydney and Perth, closing beaches and raising shark concerns
Alan Jones trial over alleged sexual assaults against five male complainants
Independent MP Helen Haines critically injured in alleged car attack outside Wangaratta office
Manchester United's Champions League defeat by Como sparks managerial crisis
Browse all stories from August 2026 in the archive.