The Sopranos star Vincent Pastore dies aged 80 - BBC News

Pastore, who played Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero in the hit US show, was found at his home in New York City, US media report.

Image source, Getty ImagesByJames ChaterPublished1 August 2026US actor Vincent Pastore, who played Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero in the hit show The Sopranos, has died aged 80, according to several US outlets.

Pastore was found at his home in the Bronx, New York City and there was no indication of criminality, the BBC's US partner CBS News reported.

In The Sopranos, Pastore played Tony Soprano's best friend who ultimately became an informant for the FBI. His character's death in series two was one of the show's most memorable storylines.

Robert Attermann, Pastore's manager, told CBS News: "To the world, he will always be remembered as the unforgettable 'Big Pussy,' but to those of us who knew him, he was so much more."

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Pastore (far right) played Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero in The Sopranos