The cause of death for "Sopranos" actor Vincent Pastore has been confirmed, bringing a quiet close to the investigation that began after the veteran actor was found unresponsive in his Bronx home over the weekend.
Authorities confirmed that Pastore, 80, died of natural causes, apparently passing away in his sleep. Officials said there were no signs of foul play, closing the brief inquiry that opened after friends and family were unable to reach him for several days. He was discovered Saturday by longtime friend Stephen Villano, who had grown concerned after not hearing from him.
Pastore was best known for playing Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero across all six seasons of HBO's "The Sopranos," a role that followed decades of running bars and nightclubs in New York before he began acting at age 42. He also appeared in Martin Scorsese's "Goodfellas" and continued working steadily in the years since, including recent guest roles on "Yellowjackets."
Tributes continued rolling in from his former castmates and colleagues this week, remembering him not just for his on-screen toughness but for his warmth off camera. Pastore grew up in a traditional Italian-American Catholic household in the Bronx, a foundation that friends say stayed with him throughout his life, even as his career took him far from where he started.
As fans continue to reflect on his nearly four-decade career, JubileeCast extends continued condolences to Pastore's family, including his daughter, Renee, during this time.
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