Entertainment

Tony Sirico, ‘Sopranos’ star, dead at 79

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He was 79, in keeping with his IMDB profile.

McGowan didn’t present a reason for loss of life, however referred to as Sirico a “very loyal and long-term shopper” of 25 years and somebody who “all the time gave to charity.”

Sirico’s “Sopranos” co-star Michael Imperioli additionally shared the information on Instagram, saying Sirico died on Friday.
“Tony was like nobody else: he was as robust, as loyal and as massive hearted as anybody i’ve ever identified,” he wrote. “I used to be at his facet by a lot: by good instances and dangerous. However largely good. And we had lots of laughs.”

Sirico, a Brooklyn native, amassed a number of credit within the late ’80s and ’90s, showing in movies like “Goodfellas,” “Mighty Aphrodite,” and “Mickey Blue Eyes.”

However he grew to become well-known — significantly in households with cable — by “The Sorpanos,” enjoying the colourful however brutal-when-necessary Paulie Walnuts.

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On the time of his audition, he recalled in a single interview, he was 55 and sleeping on his mom’s sofa. He’d auditioned for a unique character, however creator David Chase approached him with a unique position, that turned out to be iconic in its personal proper.

“He stated, ‘You need the excellent news or the dangerous information?’” Sirico recalled in a 2021 interview. “I stated, ‘Give me the dangerous information.’ He stated, ‘You did not get Uncle Junior. However I’ve one thing in thoughts. Would you be prepared to do a recurring position on the present? I’ve a personality referred to as Paulie Walnuts.’”

After the present ended, Sirico appeared in exhibits like “Lilyhammer,” “The Grinder” and “Household Man.”

However “Sorpanos” — thanks partly to the present’s renewed reputation by streaming — remained his most memorable work.

“We discovered a groove as Christopher and Paulie and I’m proud to say I did lots of my greatest and most enjoyable work with my pricey pal Tony,” Imperioli added. “I’ll miss him perpetually. He’s actually irreplaceable. I ship like to his household, associates and his many many followers. He was beloved and can by no means be forgotten. Heartbroken immediately.”

Michael Gandolfini, son of late “Sopranos” star James Gandolfini, additionally paid tribute to Sirico on Instagram.

“Tony Sirico was one of many kindest, fiercely loyal, and heartfelt males that I’ve ever identified,” he wrote. “He was all the time Uncle Tony to me, and Tony all the time confirmed up for me and my household. I will deeply miss his pinches on my cheek, and his infectious snicker. He was an outstanding actor and a good higher man.”

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