THE BRONX, N.Y. (Aug. 2, 2026) — Vincent Dominic Pastore, the actor best known for playing Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on “The Sopranos,” has died at age 80. He was found dead early Saturday, Aug. 1, by a neighbor at his home on City Island in the Bronx.
No information on funeral or wake arrangements was immediately available. This story will be updated when those details are made public.
Pastore played Big Pussy, a foot soldier turned FBI informant, opposite James Gandolfini’s Tony Soprano on the HBO series. His character’s nickname originated from his early career as a cat burglar. Pastore won a 2000 Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series for his work on the show.
He was born July 14, 1946, in the Bronx and grew up in New Rochelle. His father, John Pastore, was a school custodian; his mother, was Natalie (Santadonato).
Pastore served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War before earning a drama degree from Pace University.
Before turning to acting, he spent more than 20 years as a nightclub bouncer and limo driver, later becoming manager and owner of a club in New Rochelle. His chauffeur clients included actors Matt and Kevin Dillon, who were raised in Mamaroneck and encouraged him to take acting classes.
Pastore’s film credits include “Goodfellas,” “Awakenings,” “The Godfather Part III,” “Gotti,” “Carlito’s Way,” “The Jerky Boys,” “Night Falls on Manhattan,” “Mickey Blue Eyes”, “Shark Tale”, and the Broadway musical “Bullets Over Broadway.” He also hosted the SiriusXM radio show “The Wise Guy” and shows on WVOX in New Rochelle.
Steven Van Zandt, who played Silvio Dante on “The Sopranos,” wrote on X: “Another irreplaceable brother gone. It never gets any easier. Travel well Vincenzo.”
Pastore’s marriage to Nancy Berke ended in divorce. He is survived by his daughter, Renee Pastore; a granddaughter; his sister, Sally Molloy; and his brother, John Pastore Jr.
In 2005, Pastore was charged with assaulting his fiancée, Lisa Regina. He pleaded guilty to attempted assault under a plea agreement and was sentenced to 10 days of community service.
This article was prepared with the assistance of AI tools under the direction and editing of Robert Cox.
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