Sopranos Actor Tony Sirico, 'Paulie Walnuts,' Dies At 79
Tony Sirico, 79, died on Friday. He was best known for playing "Paulie" Walnuts in the acclaimed HBO series "The Sopranos."
His Sopranos co-star Michael Imperioli posted the information on his Instagram page.
Although no specific cause of death was given, Sirico had been experiencing dementia for a few years.
Tony was unlike anyone else; he was as tough, as loyal, and as kindhearted as anyone I've ever known, according to his Sopranos co-star Michael Imperioli.
The family is very appreciative of all the messages of support, prayers, and condolences and asks that the public respect their privacy during this difficult time.
On Wednesday, there will be a funeral in Brooklyn.
He played a cop in "Dead Presidents" (1995), a suburban gangster in "Cop Land" (1997), and a capo for the Gambino crime family in the television film "Gotti" before "The Sopranos" (1996).
He frequently collaborated with his "Sopranos" co-stars when the HBO series came to an end in 2007.
In the cartoon comedy "Family Guy," he also provided the voice of a streetwise dog named Vinny (2013-16).