Bronx-born Sopranos' actor Vincent Pastore dies at 80 at City Island home
He said that he had been found in his home on New York’s City Island after not being heard from for a few days.
Vincent Pastore, the Bronx-born actor best known for playing Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero on HBO's The Sopranos, has died of natural causes at his home on City Island. He was 80.
Pastore's manager told The Associated Press the veteran actor was found at his City Island home after not being heard from for a few days.
The actor had celebrated his 80th birthday on July 14.
Born in the Bronx and raised in New Rochelle, Pastore served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War before later attending Pace University, according to his IMDb biography.
While Pastore built a career playing mobsters and tough guys, he became a household name for his portrayal of Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero on The Sopranos. He also appeared in the films Goodfellas and Awakenings.
Pastore's longtime driver and security guard, who worked alongside him for nearly 30 years, told News 12 the actor was "one of the kindest people" he had ever met and said Pastore "would give you the shirt off his back."
The longtime confidant said Pastore loved City Island and had lived on the island for the past 25 years.
Visitors staying at an Airbnb on the same block said they were shocked to learn the actor had died.
"I feel bad for everybody. I can see all the neighbors standing outside. We saw the police cars rushing through here wondering what it was, and the fact that it was right next to us is crazy," said Lucy and Addy, who were staying at an Airbnb on the block.
Pastore died at age 80 and is survived by his daughter.
AP wires contributed to this story.
