Before we report on the passing of Vincent Pastore, we want to note that he was much more than just his role on The Sopranos. It’s highly likely that you saw Pastore in multiple projects whether it was on the big screen or the little. He was a character actor just as much as he was a part of The Sopranos. But sometimes an actor stumbles upon a part in a show that transcends a lot of their other work. That was the case with Vincent Pastore.
It’s with a heavy heart that we report the passing of this wonderful actor. Pastore found an amazingly steady supply of work in films and television throughout the ’90s and all through the 2010s. Of course, it was his role as Salvatore Bonpensiero that brought him the most fame. It helps when his character’s name of “Big Pussy” is what it is. But he often found himself playing mobsters and tough guys across other projects. He was in the parody film Mafia! And played a possibly less than legitimate lawyer in the final season of The Practice.
Remembered by His Castmates
People who worked with him lamented his passing in emotionally displays. Lorraine Bracco who appeared with him on The Sopranos called him “a beautiful soul.” Steven Van Zandt referred to him as “another irreplaceable brother.” And when Van Zandt says that, he has to say it with a heavier heart than most considering who else he’s worked with who passed away. That is to say, Pastore is not the first major cast member to have passed away since the show’s conclusion.
“The Sopranos”
HBO
The most memorable and unexpected was Tony Soprano himself, James Gandolfini. The actor passed away in 2013 when he was only 51 years old. Four years ago we lost Tony Sirico who played Paulie Gualtieri. Otherwise known as Paulie Walnuts. He was 79 years old. If we want to go even further back, Nancy Marchand passed away back in 2000 at the age of 71. That passing was extremely noteworthy as it not only had emotional repercussions but plot ones as well. When Marchand passed away, her character of Tony’s mother, Livia, died along with her.
Our Hearts and Condolences
It’s not easy to say goodbye to actors we love, especially when they still resonate in our hearts. When they’re a part of the cultural landscape, they become a face that we recognize and feel attached to. Pastore was one of those figures and should be remembered for the breadth of his career. Yes, he was “Big Pussy,” but he was also a reliable character actor. Our hearts go out to his friends and family as well as anyone who was touched by his work. Vincent Pastore was 80 years old.
