Longtime character actor Tony Sirico has passed away at the age of 79 and his friends from The Sopranos are saying their farewells. Born in New York in 1942, the young Sirico frequently found himself in trouble with the law as a young man. He turned his attention to show business after an acting troupe visited him in jail. The news came via Sirico’s brother Fr. Robert Sirico, who wrote the following on Facebook:
“It is with great sadness, but with incredible pride, love and a whole lot of fond memories, that the family of Gennaro Anthony ‘Tony’ Sirico wishes to inform you of his death on the morning of July 8, 2022…The family is deeply grateful for the many expressions of love, prayer and condolences and requests that the public respect its privacy in this time of bereavement. Memorial donations may be made in his honor to Wounded Warriors, St. Jude’s Hospital and the Acton Institute.”
Sirico’s first onscreen appearance came as an extra in 1974’s Crazy Joe. Over the following decade, he frequently worked with Woody Allen, appearing in several of his films. Such as Wonder Wheel, Cafe Society, Deconstructing Harry, Everyone Says I Love You, Mighty Aphrodite, and Bullets Over Broadway. Sirico also found steady work specializing in Mafia roles. In 1990, alongside several Italian-American actors of his generation, he appeared in Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas. His role as Tony Stacks was his highest-profile role to date, but it would not be the role Sirico would be most remembered for.
The Sopranos and Later Life
He’s best known for his work on The Sopranos, the HBO mob show that left a huge impact on television history. Originally auditioning for Tony Soprano’s Uncle Junior, which ended up going to Dominic Chianese, Sirico was instead cast as Paulie “Walnuts” Gualtieri. Sirico’s best-known role, the character quickly became a fan favorite. Even playing a central part in “Pine Barrens” alongside co-star Michael Imperioli, which is considered one of the best episodes of the series.
Imperioli wrote on Instagram:
“It pains me to say that my dear friend, colleague and partner in crime, the great TONY SIRICO has passed away today. Tony was like no one else: he was as tough, as loyal and as big hearted as anyone i’ve ever known. I was at his side through so much: through good times and bad. But mostly good. And we had a lot of laughs. We found a groove as Christopher and Paulie and I am proud to say I did a lot of my best and most fun work with my dear pal Tony. 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.”
Per Deadline, others from The Sopranos are also paying tribute. Series creator David Chase offered this statement:
"The way Buddhists refer to a jewel – supernatural and a master. But certainly not a Zen master. He was so uproarious, so funny, so talented. I’m very happy for him that in his mid-fifties and sixties he finally learned how talented and loved he was. I was just thinking about him yesterday, strangely enough, and was reminded that he was a main reason for the success of The Sopranos. I will miss him greatly, Gennaro. As will the world."
Silvio Dante actor Steven Van Zandt, who also co-starred with Sirico in Lillyhammer, called Sirico “legendary” and added:
“A larger-than-life character on and off screen. Gonna miss you a lot my friend. Deepest condolences to the family.”
Jamie Lynn Sigler (Meadow Soprano) said of the late actor:
“Tony was the real deal in every sense of the word. He lived many lives, but with full passion in all of them. I met him when I was 16, and he made it clear from day one that he was my forever protector, and he was. I will remember him as a tremendous talent and energy that you could never look away from. I’m so lucky to have known him. My thoughts and prayers to all that were lucky enough to be loved by him.”
A tribute from Steve Schirripa (Bobby Baccalieri) reads:
"one of a kind in all the best ways! A truly loyal friend with a gift for making people laugh, especially me. If you were lucky enough to be his friend you were guaranteed a good time whenever you were around him. He will be missed. Rest In Peace pal!!!”
Lorraine Bracco who played Tony's psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi and had also appeared with Sirico in Goodfellas, had this to say about her friend.
“A stand-up guy who always had my back and who loved my children and my parents. I have a lifetime of memories with Tony – starting with Goodfellas to The Sopranos and way beyond but my God, did we have fun doing the Bensonhurst Spelling Bee. I hope he’s in heaven cracking everybody up now. Love you, my pal."
After his work on The Sopranos ended, Sirico worked on other TV shows, such as Lilyhammer and Family Guy. On the latter, he voiced Vinny, who became the Griffin family dog after Brian temporarily died. He is survived by his two children, Joanne Sirico and Richard, and multiple “grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews and many other relatives,” according to his brother.