# Vincent Pastore, 'Sopranos' actor known for tough-guy roles, dies at 80

Vincent Pastore, the actor best known for playing Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero on The Sopranos, has died at the age of 80. He built a career playing mobsters and tough guys in films and television. His death marks the loss of a distinctive character actor remembered by fans of the iconic series.

**Importance:** 3/5

## Sources

### World
- [The Guardian World](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/aug/01/sopranos-actor-vincent-pastore-dead-80) — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 22:36:23 GMT
- [BBC World](https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cm2gz0epljgo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss) — Sat, 01 Aug 2026 22:57:55 GMT