Sirico played the role of Paulie ‘Walnuts’ Gualtieri on the popular HBO show, appearing in all six seasons. He died Friday morning, according to a Facebook post by his brother Robert. Image: Steve Van Zandt, James Gandolfini and Tony Sirico in The Sopranos. Photo: Barry Wetcher/Hbo/Kobal/Shutterstock The post said: “With great sadness, but with incredible pride, love and many fond memories, the family of Gennaro Anthony ‘Tony’ Sirico wishes to inform you of his passing on the morning of July 8, 2022. . “The family is deeply grateful for the many expressions of love, prayers and condolences and asks the public to respect their privacy during this time of mourning.” Sirico’s Sopranos co-star Michael Imperioli described him as a “dear friend, colleague and partner in crime.” The actor wrote on Instagram: “It pains me to say that my dear friend, colleague and partner in crime, the great Tony Sirico passed away today. “Tony was like no other: he was as tough, loyal and as big-hearted as anyone I’ve ever met.” Sirico was born in 1942 and grew up in Brooklyn. In a 2001 interview with Rolling Stone, he said he was drawn to the gangsters he would see in his neighborhood. He said: “They’re all dressed up, slick, they’ve got cars, they’ve got girls, very tempting. “I got to make a huge mistake. I almost became one of those guys I play.” As an actor, Sirico found himself playing the very men he admired as a youth. “And do I mind being stereotyped? “Absolutely not,” he told Rolling Stone in the same interview. “I’ve paid my rent, I’m taking care of me and mom.” Sirico’s manager, Bob McGowan, told PA news agency that he was “nothing like his character on The Sopranos.” “He’s been a very loyal customer for 25 years and he’s an ex-army vet and has always given to charities. “He’s a big contributor to Wounded Warriors and would always go to children’s hospitals.”
