Tony Sirico The Star Of The Sopranos Has Died At The Age Of 79.

Sirico’s death was announced by his “Sopranos” co-star Michael Imperioli, who wrote on Instagram that he died on Friday. No other details were given. Sirico’s manager also confirmed to TheWrap that he died on Friday while at a home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. “Tony was like no other: he was as tough, loyal and as big-hearted as anyone I’ve ever met. I’ve been by his side through so much: good times and bad. But mostly good. And we laughed a lot,” Imperioli said of Sirico. “We found a groove as Christopher and Paulie and I’m proud to say I did my best and most fun work with my dear friend Tony. I will miss him forever. He is truly irreplaceable. I send love to his family, friends and many fans. He was loved and will never be forgotten. Devastated today.” Sirico appeared in 74 episodes of “The Sopranos” as Peter Paul “Paulie Walnuts” Gualateri, one of Tony Soprano’s main henchmen known on the show for his loyalty but also for his impulsive and violent behavior. Sirico auditioned for The David Chase Show originally going for the role of Uncle Junior, but agreed to play Paulie on the condition that he never become a rat. Sirico, however, had a troubled past as a real-life tough guy, telling the Los Angeles Times that as a young man before turning to acting he was arrested 28 times, starting when he was 7 for “stealing nickels from the kiosk.” He would eventually serve two terms in prison, where he met an acting troupe of former rivals and was encouraged to give acting a shot. True to his roots, Sirico has often played gangsters on screen, including in Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas and in films such as Mob Queen, Cop Land, Bullets Over Broadway, and most recently Woody Allen’s 2017 “Wonder Wheel”. Although he told the Los Angeles Times that he’s “no (expletive) Laurence Olivier,” throughout his career he’s shared the screen with actors like Gabriel Byrne, Dennis Hopper and Harvey Keitel. Sirico had several other television roles dating back to the late 70s and 80s, including “Kojak,” “Miami Vice,” “Chuck,” “Medium” and the TV movie “Gotti.” He also had a number of episodes as the voice of Vinny Griffin on “Family Guy,” or the dog who would replace Brian Griffin after the character’s death. Sirico and the cast of “The Sopranos” won twice the Screen Actors Guild for Outstanding Performance by Ensemble in a Drama Series.