‘Sopranos’ Star Tony Sirico Dies At Age 79

Tony Sirico, who is known for his role as mobster Peter Paul “Paulie Walnuts” Gualtieri on HBO’s The Sopranos, died on July 8. He was 79 years old and the cause of death was not confirmed.

Michael Imperioli, who played Christopher Moltisanti on The Sopranos, honored Sirico on Instagram. “Tony was like no one else. He was as tough, as loyal and as big hearted as anyone I’ve ever known.”

“I did a lot of my best and most fun work with my dear pal Tony,” he wrote. “I will miss him forever. He is truly irreplaceable. I send love to his family, friends and his many many fans. He was beloved and will never be forgotten. Heartbroken today.”

Born in New York City on July 29, 1942 and raised in Brooklyn, Tony Sirico segued into acting after several brushes with the law as an extra in the 1974 film Crazy Joe. Playing gangsters in films like Goodfellas, Mob Queen, Mighty Apriodite, Love and Money, Fingers, The One Man, Cop Land and Mickey Blue Eyes was his trademark. He also portrayed policemen in the films Dead Presidents and Deconstructing Harry before landing the role of Paulie on The Sopranos. Originally, he auditioned for the part of Uncle Junior.

In 2013, Sirico voiced the character of Vinny Griffin, who for three episodes was the family’s pet dog on Family Guy. His other TV show guest appearances included Kojak, Police Squad!, Miami Vice, Medium and Lilyhammer (opposite another Sopranos star, Steven Van Zandt).

“Tony Sirico was one of the kindest, fiercely loyal, and heartfelt men that I’ve ever known. He was always Uncle Tony to me, and Tony always showed up for me and my family,” Michael Gandolfini, son of Sopranos star James Gandolfini — and, who recently portrayed a younger version of the character his late father made famous in The Many Saints of Newark — wrote in an Instagram post. “I’ll deeply miss his pinches on my cheek, and his infectious laugh. He was a phenomenal actor and an even better man. Tony was one of a kind. He touched many with his gift and my heart goes out to his family, his friends, and all of his fans. We love you Tony, thank you for all the joy you brought to many. You will be missed.”

The actor took on other business ventures as well, including launching his own cologne brand, Paolo Per Uomo, in 2008.

Sirico is survived by his two children, Joanne Sirico Bello and Richard Sirico, grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews and other relatives.