Cleveland Akron, OH, August 1, 2026 —

Vincent Pastore, widely recognized for his portrayal of Salvatore ‘Big Pussy’ Bonpensiero in the acclaimed HBO series ‘The Sopranos,’ died on Saturday. He was 80 years old.

Pastore’s acting career spanned several decades, but his role as the conflicted mobster turned informant in ‘The Sopranos’ brought him significant international recognition. The character of Big Pussy was a central figure in the early seasons of the show, known for his distinctive voice and complex on-screen presence.

Born in the Bronx, New York, Pastore’s journey to acting success was not immediate. He worked various jobs before finding his way into film and television. His breakout role in ‘The Sopranos’ began in 1999 and continued until his character’s departure from the series. Following his time on the show, Pastore appeared in numerous other film and television projects, including ‘The Discovery of Heaven,’ ‘Serving Sara,’ and ‘Two Family House.’

The actor’s passing was confirmed on Saturday. Further details regarding the cause of death or memorial services were not immediately available.



Story summarized from the original created by Mark Heim on www.cleveland.com, see more information here.

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