TRIBUTES from stars to The Sopranos' Paulie Walnuts and Goodfellas star Tony Sirico are pouring in on social media.
It was announced on Friday, July 8, 2022, that Tony Sirico passed away at the age of 79.
Michael Imperioli, a friend and fellow actor of the late Sopranos star, took to Instagram to share the news.
He wrote: “It pains me to say that my dear friend, colleague and partner in crime, the great TONY SIRICO has passed away today.”
Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who played Meadow Soprano, also paid tribute to the star, writing on Instagram: "Oh Tony. I’m so heartbroken.
"I loved you so much. I have never been able to walk into a room that you were in without you giving me an enormous hug, drenching me in your cologne, and making sure I knew any man that came near me would have to answer to you first. You were SUCH a phenomenal actor. "
Read our Tony Sirico blog for the latest news and updates…
Where will the burial take place?
On July 13, his brother, Fr. Robert Sirico, will offer a Mass of Christian burial in the Basilica of Regina Pacis, according to People.
His manager, Bob McGowan, confirmed his death, which occurred at an assisted living home. The reason wasn’t stated.
Tony Sirico passed away in an assisted living facility
Tony Sirico passed away in an assisted living facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Friday, according to the late actor’s manager, Bob McGowan.
He told the Hollywood Reporter that Sirico had been a victim of dementia for several years.
McGowan told the news outlet: “Not only was he a loyal client, he was a good friend.”
Sopranos creator pays tribute
David Chase, the man who wrote and produced HBO drama The Sopranos, remembered Sirico as a “jewel” in a statement, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
The statement read: “Tony was a jewel. 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-50s and 60s 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.”
Meadow Soprano pays tribute
Actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who played Meadow Soprano, took to Instagram to mourn her friend and costar Tony Sirico.
She wrote: "You were SUCH a phenomenal actor. Stealing every scene you were in.
"You were tough, and strong, yet sweet and a real artist. There will never ever be anyone like you.
"I feel so lucky to have known you and been loved by you."
Sirico starred in Woody Allen films
Beginning with Bullets Over Broadway in 1994, in which Sirico portrayed the right-hand man of a formidable mobster turned theatrical producer, he appeared in numerous Woody Allen films.
He also appeared in Mighty Aphrodite, Everyone Says I Love You, Deconstructing Harry, and Wonder Wheel.
Uncredited extra and small roles
Sirico made his on-screen debut in Hughes and Harlow: Angels in Hell, which was directed by self-described “cinema schlockmeister” Larry Buchanan, per the New York Times.
He was also an uncredited extra in The Godfather: Part II.
After that, he had a variety of small parts in television shows and films for more than 10 years, culminating in his portrayal of the flamboyant gangster Tony Stacks in Goodfellas.
How Sirico got into acting
Sirico briefly worked in construction before getting himself in trouble with the law.
In James Toback’s 1989 film The Big Bang, he said: “I started running with the wrong sort of folks, and I found myself doing a lot of awful things.” Things such as armed robbery, extortion, coercion, and possession of illegal weapons, per the New York Times.
He observed a group of performers who were all former inmates who had stopped by to play for the inmates when he was spending 20 months of a four-year term at Sing Sing, the maximum-security prison in Ossining, New York.
He told the Daily News of New York in 1999 that he told himself, “I can do that.”
Who is Drea de Matteo?
Drea de Matteo, now 50, played Christopher Moltisanti’s glamorous fiance Adriana La Cerva.
It was the New York born actor’s first major role on screen – and helped launch her career.
Hot on the heels of the HBO drama, de Matteo went on to star in a number of films including Prey for Rock & Role, The Perfect You and Swordfish.
In 2001, de Matteo began dating musician Shooter Jennings.
The couple were engaged in 2009 and have a daughter, Alabama Gypsyrose Jennings, and a son, Waylon Albert Jennings.
However, the pair split without ever getting married.
Who is Robert Iler?
Robert Iler all but left the spotlight after his run as Tony Soprano’s troubled son, A.J.
The 37-year-old struggled with substance abuse and addiction but says he has been clean and sober since 2013.
Robert moved to Las Vegas after the mob drama ended, and entered the world of professional poker.
He now co-hosts a podcast with Jamie-Lynn called Pajama Pants.
When did James Gandolfini pass away, continued
Gandolfini was married twice to Marcy Wudarski and then to Deborah Lin.
He has two kids, Michael and Liliana.
Michael recently stepped into his dad’s shoes, playing a younger version of Tony Soprano in a recent prequel film.
Who is Michael Imperioli?
Michael Imperioli starred in The Goodfellas before taking on the role of Christopher Moltisanti in The Sopranos.
The talented actor played Tony Soprano’s protege and a member of the DiMeo crime family.
Throughout the series, he rises through the ranks in the New Jersey crime network.
After starring in The Sopranos, Imperioli branched out into the arts, becoming a writer, director, and musician as well as appearing in multiple films.
Now 56, he is also the lead guitarist and vocalist for the band Zopa, and appeared in The Soprano’s prequel, The Many Saints of Newark.
What happened to James Gandolfini?
James Gandolfini starred as the troubled New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano through six seasons of the HBO series.
Writer David Chase loosely based the protagonist on real-life gangster Vinny Ocean, boss of the New Jersey DeCavalcante crime family.
James won the hearts of viewers with his nuanced turn as the anti-hero, and scooped up three Emmy Awards.
After the Sopranos ended in 2007, James transitioned into producing.
But sadly, the larger-than-life actor died June 19, 2013, of a heart attack while on holiday in Rome. He was 51.
Ray Liotta’s best films
In a list of his best films, the Independent ranked his 10 best as follows:
- Goodfellas (1990)
- Blow (2001)
- Narc (2002)
- Field of Dreams (1989)
- Marriage Story (2019)
- The Place Beyond The Pines (2012)
- Identity (2003)
- The Many Saints of Newark (2021)
- Cop Land (1997)
- Something Wild (1986)
‘A massive unexpected shock’
“This is a massive, unexpected shock,” said Sopranos creator David Chase about Ray Liotta’s death, according to Us Weekly.
“I have been an admirer of Ray’s work since I saw him in Something Wild, a movie he wrenched by the tail. I was so glad he worked on The Many Saints of Newark.
“I believed strongly in my heart that he could play that double role. He created two distinctly separate characters and each performance was phenomenal.
“Ray was also a very warm and humorous person. A really superior actor. We all felt we lucked out having him on that movie.”
Who was Ray Liotta? continued
Liotta’s mainstream breakthrough came courtesy of the 1986 action-comedy, Something Wild.
For his role in the film, Liotta was nominated for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture at the following year’s Golden Globes.
One of his most noteworthy big-screen gigs was in Martin Scorsese’s crime movie Goodfellas.
He portrayed real-life New York mobster and crime figure, Henry Hill.
Who was Ray Liotta?
Ray Liotta was mourned just weeks before the passing of Tony Sirico and James Caan.
Born on December 18, 1954, most of Liotta’s early life was centered in Newark, New Jersey.
In 1978, he graduated with a degree in acting from the University of Miami and moved to New York City afterward.
While living in New York, Liotta landed one of his first acting gigs on the soap opera, Another World.
After appearing in the daytime program from 1978 to 1981, he moved to Los Angeles, California in favor of a motion picture career.
HBO says Paulie Walnuts 'cemented him as an icon'
In a tribute post to Twitter, HBO called the late actor a "tremendous, one-of-a-kind talent."
HBO continued: "On The Sopranos, his legendary performance as the unwavering Paulie Walnuts cemented him as an icon, beloved for his one-liners and steadfast devotion.
"He will be sorely missed by the HBO family."
Tony Sirico was a tremendous, one-of-a-kind talent. On The Sopranos, his legendary performance as the unwavering Paulie Walnuts cemented him as an icon, beloved for his one-liners and steadfast devotion. He will be sorely missed by the HBO family.
— HBO (@HBO) July 9, 2022Fan posts a scene to Twitter
Endeavoring to pay tribute to Tony Sirico, one fan posted a scene from the iconic Sopranos.
Sopranos creator pays tribute
David Chase, the man who wrote and produced HBO drama The Sopranos, remembered Sirico as a "jewel" in a statement, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
The statement read: "Tony was a jewel. 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-50s and 60s 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.”
Tony Sirico passed away in an assisted living facility
Tony Sirico passed away in an assisted living facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Friday, according to the late actor's manager, Bob McGowan.
He told the Hollywood Reporter that Sirico had been a victim of dementia for several years.
McGowan told the news outlet: "Not only was he a loyal client, he was a good friend."
Tony’s cause of death
The late actor’s cause of death has not been revealed.
His brother, Robert Sirico, shared a tribute post on Facebook.
He wrote: “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 Jr. wish to inform you of his death on the morning of July 8, 2022.”
Tony Sirico appeared in Goodfellas
Like many of his co-stars, Sirico appeared in Goodfellas before becoming part of the Sopranos cast.
While continuing to play the various mob boss in TV shows and movies, Sirico also found steady work as a voiceover artist.
Sirico appeared in a number of Woody Allen films, including Bullets Over Broadway, Mighty Aphrodite, and Cafe Society.
He can also be heard playing various characters on shows like Family Guy and American Dad.
When did Tony Sirico’s career begin?
Sirico’s career began back in 1977 after he portrayed the role of Frankie Rio in Hughes and Harlow: Angeles in Hell.
At the time of his death, he was working on three upcoming films, including Super Athlete, Street Justice, and All Mobbed Up.
Who is Tony Sirico survived by?
The Sopranos star is survived by his two children Joanne Sirico Bello and Richard Sirico.
He will also live on through his two siblings, Carmine Sirico and Robert Sirico, his grandchildren, and other relatives.
Tony Sirico’s ‘ties to Colombo crime family’
Growing up in Bensonhurst, Tony Sirico also had ties to the Colombo crime family, Yahoo News reported.
Between 1960 and 1970, he was arrested for assault, robbery, and other crimes.
