More than 100 people on Thursday, August 6, came to the Church of the Holy Family in New Rochelle (New York) to say their last goodbyes to American actor Vincent Pastore, known for his work in the cult HBO series “The Sopranos,” writes Page Six. In addition to relatives and fans of the artist, who died at 80, the ceremony was attended by his colleagues from the television series.
Pastore's neighbor found the actor dead at his home in New York on August 1 after being unable to contact him for three days. Authorities initially said they were investigating the artist's death, but later confirmed that he died of natural causes in his sleep.
In The Sopranos, Pastore played Salvatore Bonpensiero, nicknamed Big Pussy, a friend of the main character Tony Soprano, the boss of the New Jersey mafia family. The character was one of the main ones in the first seasons. In 2000, the artist and his colleagues won the Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Cast in a Drama Series.
'Sopranos' star Vincent Pastore honored as 'one of kind' by daughter, Stevie van Zandt in touching funeral tributes https://t.co/whrFFbnAAC pic.twitter.com/jrj4dBNLDP
— New York Post (@nypost) August 6, 2026
Before Pastore received his acting training, he served in the US Navy in Vietnam, so at the farewell ceremony his coffin was traditionally covered with a flag. One of those who carried the coffin was Steven Van Zandt, who played the role of Silvio Dante, the consigliere, the closest assistant to the head of the mafia, in The Sopranos. He told the publication that he saw his colleague on the series “quite often” and fondly recalled their last telephone conversation.
“Luckily we called him [Винсенту Пасторе] the day before his death. He was one of a kind and we will miss him greatly,” the actor said.
Also at the funeral were Van Zandt's wife Maureen, who played the consigliere's wife in the series, as well as Catherine Narducci, who played Soprano family friend Charmaine Bucco. Also attending the ceremony were Michael Rispoli, who played DiMeo crime family boss Jackie Aprile Sr., and Al Sapienza, who played Mickey Palmis, the right hand of ex-mafia boss Corrado “Junior” Soprano.
Other stars of the series were unable to attend the farewell, but expressed their condolences on social networks. Dominic Chianese, who played Junior Soprano, stressed that he had lost his friend. Michael Imperioli, who played Christopher “Chrissy” Moltisanti, the title character's nephew, called Pastore's death a “great loss,” recalling how the actors “worked a lot together” and “traveled to every state in the United States, as well as Italy and Australia.”
“There were a lot of good moments. We laughed a lot. Vinny [Винсент Пасторе] was a kind-hearted man who cared deeply about his family and friends. I will always miss him,” Imperioli emphasized.
Joe Pantoliano, who plays Ralph Cifaretto, one of the main antagonists in seasons 3 and 4, said that it was through his “family” of co-stars that he really got to know Pastore.
“I always liked him. He had an incredible interest in his work and never lost his enthusiasm. It always made me smile. My condolences go out to his family, friends and everyone who loved him. Rest in peace, Vin,” Pantoliano said.
In a statement to Page Six, Edie Falco, who played the show's lead character's wife Carmela Soprano, described Pastore's death as a “terrible” and “unexpected” loss, while Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who played her daughter Meadow, said he was a “wonderful actor and a kind and loving man.” Lorraine Bracco, who played psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi, called him “such a funny and charming person with a beautiful soul,” adding that his death “absolutely broke her heart.”
Pastore was in demand in the crime genre, where he played mafiosi and bandits. In addition to his role in The Sopranos, he starred in the TV series Blue Bloods, Law & Order and Hawaii Five-0, and also played in the films Goodfellas, A Bronx Tale and Carlito's Way. His last role was in the crime thriller Bad News On The Doorstep – filming ended last year, but the film has not yet been released.
