Vincent Pastore, the actor best known for playing Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero on HBO's "The Sopranos," has died. He was 80.
Pastore was found dead at his Bronx residence on Aug. 1 by a neighbor after he had not been heard from for three days, according to reports.
The veteran character actor spent two decades running nightclubs around New York before becoming an actor at age 42. He stood out in the 1996 TV movie "Gotti," then landed his signature role on "The Sopranos," where his character was famously killed off by series creator David Chase. Pastore also appeared twice on Broadway.
An actor who often played mobster types, Pastore was known for bringing a streetwise authenticity to his roles. His death is under investigation, with the exact circumstances not yet released.