Vincent Pastore from 'The Sopranos' Dies at 80

Vincent Pastore, best known for playing Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero in the iconic series "The Sopranos," has died at the age of 80. According to TMZ, the actor was found dead in his Bronx apartment on Saturday afternoon. The cause of death was natural causes.

A neighbor reportedly last saw Pastore on Wednesday, and they exchanged texts until Thursday. On Saturday, his longtime friend Stephen Villano discovered the actor's body in bed. Firefighters and police arrived at the scene around 2:30 PM local time, but it was too late to save him.

Pastore began his acting career relatively late, in his early 40s, after serving in the Navy during the Vietnam War and earning a degree in acting from Pace University. His first film role was in "Black Roses" (1988). He went on to play mobsters in films such as "Goodfellas," "Carlito's Way," "Men of Respect," and "Witness to the Mob."

His breakthrough came with the role of Big Pussy in "The Sopranos", where he appeared in 30 episodes. His character, a trusted member of Tony Soprano's crew who becomes an FBI informant, left a lasting impression with his tragic fate. After leaving the show, Pastore continued to work in film and television, with credits including "Shark Tale," "Everybody Hates Chris," "Once Upon a Time in Brooklyn," and "Yellowjackets."

In recent years, the actor became a reality TV regular. He participated in "Celebrity Fit Club" and "Dancing with the Stars", though he quit the latter after just one week due to the physical demands. He also appeared on "Celebrity Apprentice" with Donald Trump, where he faked an argument with Piers Morgan to spy on the other team — a move reminiscent of his Sopranos character.

Pastore is survived by his daughter Renee. His death has prompted an outpouring of condolences from fans and colleagues, who remember him as a talented character actor who left a significant mark on television history.