Tony Sirico has passed away. Image Source: Boing Boing
Tony Sirico has passed away.
Tony Sirico, an actor best known for his role as Paulie "Walnuts" Gualtieri on HBO's "The Sopranos," died on Friday at the age of 79. According to reports the actor passed away at a Fort Lauderdale, Florida which is an assisted living facility and Bob McGowan, Tony Sirico's longtime manager, confirmed the news of the actor's passing; however, the cause of actor's sudden death was not made public but there have been indications that the actor had been experiencing dementia for the previous several years.
Tony Sirico’s brother, Fr. Robert Sirico, also confirmed the news via sharing a post on Facebook and wrote that Joanne Sirico Bello and Richard Sirico, Tony Sirico's two children, as well as his brothers, nieces, nephews, and a large number of additional kin continue to live. Robert continued by expressing the family's sincere gratitude for the fans' outpouring of support and asking for some privacy as they recuperate.
Announcing the sad news, Tony Sirico's Sopranos co-star Michael Imperioli tweeted that it was with tremendous sadness that he had to inform everyone of the loss of the legendary actor. He continued by saying that Tony was unique among people and was as tough, devoted, and kindhearted as anybody he had ever known. Michael said that he was at his side through so much, good times and terrible, but mostly good, and we laughed a lot together. They settled into their roles as Christopher and Paulie, and he is extremely glad to say that Tony Sirico was a big part of a lot of his greatest and most enjoyable work. Michael Imperioli ended by expressing his regret at losing his friend and stating that he is keeping his family, friends, and his many fans in his prayers.
David Chase, the creator of The Sopranos, also paid homage to Tony Sirico in a statement that began, Tony was a diamond and continued, that the actor was so hilarious, so funny, so talented, and he is so delighted for him that in his mid-50s and 60s he finally discovered how great and loved he was. Strangely enough, David said, he was just thinking about him yesterday and was reminded that he was the primary factor in The Sopranos' popularity. David Chase expressed his regret for losing Gennaro in his closing remarks, the entire globe will.
Jamie Lynn Sigler, who played Meadow Soprano on the show The Sopranos, also shared a heartfelt tribute to her TV uncle and shared several pictures with him and wrote that her heart was broken to hear the news and said that she had never been able to walk into a room where he was without him giving her an enormous hug, drenching her in his cologne and making sure that she knew that any man who came close to her would have to answer to him first. Jamie added that Tony was such a phenomenal actor who outdid himself in every scene he was in and shared that he was tough and strong yet very sweet and a real artist. Jamie concluded that she felt lucky that she knew him and had been loved by him.
Lorraine Bracco, who portrayed the character of Tony Soprano’s psychiatrist on the show, also shared that Tony Sirico was a stand-up guy who always had her back and loved her children and her parents, and mentioned that she has a lifetime of memories with the actor with whom she also worked on Goodfellas and said that they had fun doing the Bensonhurst Spelling Bee. Lorraine added that she hopes that Tony’s in heaven cracking everybody up now.
Michael Gandolfini also said that Tony Sirico was one of the kindest, fiercely loyal, and heartfelt men that he had known and said that the actor was always Uncle Tony to him and his family. He was a fantastic actor and an even better person. Michael concluded by saying that Tony touched many lives with his gift and thanked the late actor for all the joy he brought to many people’s lives.
Tony Sirico had been arrested 28 times and had many convictions before he started acting in the 1970s, including for disorderly conduct, assault, and robbery. In February 1970, he was stopped at a restaurant, and a.32 caliber pistol was found on him. In 1971, he was accused of extortion, coercion, and illicit possession of a handgun. He was sentenced to four years in prison after being found guilty, of which he served 20 months in Sing Sing. The actor finally made his acting debut in the drama "Crazy Joe" in 1974.
Later, he had multiple cinematic appearances, notably in Mickey Blue Eyes, Goodfellas, and Cop Land. Tony Sirico also appeared in movies including Mighty Aphrodite, Wonder Wheel, Bullets Over Broadway, Deconstructing Harry, Celebrity, and Everyone Says I Love You, where the late actor regularly worked with Woody Allen.
