The man has died. While serving time in prison, he was introduced to the craft of acting by his role in The Sopranos. In addition to his role on the legendary HBO drama, Sirico appeared in Goodfellas, in the casts of several Woody Allen films, and in a multi- episode arcs on Family Guy. He died today. There was a man who died at the age of 78.
After being born in 1942, Gennaro Anthony Sirico Jr. spent the first 30 years of his life building up an arrest record that was almost as impressive as his eventual acting career. He met a group of former convicts who toured prisons. In a 2001 interview, he said, "I saw them and right there and then I knew what I wanted to do" I just felt it. I was able to do that. When I got out, I called the man who had been a friend of mine for a long time. I want to be an actor.
After Castellano helped him get his first role, he continued to work for several decades. His character names from this period paint a picture of the course of his career: names like "Tough Guy," "Jacko," and "Rocco" dot his resumé, the first of four films the writer/ director would cast. He played a cop in Albert Hughes' Dead Presidents.
In 1999, David Chase selected him to play Tony Soprano's most enduring lieutenant, for a series that no one, at the time, realized would change his life forever. The Sopranos had a line between the lighter and darker versions of Paulie Walnuts. In showcase episodes like fan-favorite " Pine Barrens" and especially in his relationship with Michael Imperioli's Christopher, Sirico showed that an absurd, often goofy gangster was never the same as a safe mobster.
His list of roles after The Sopranos include parts that pay homage to his most famous job. He has played mobster-types alongside both the Muppets and the Fairly OddParents. He voiced the new dog for the family on Family Guy.
Imperioli paid tribute to his old co-star on the social media site.
Tony was like no one else: he was as tough, as loyal and as big hearted as anyone I’ve ever known. I was at his side through so much: through good times and bad. But mostly good. And we had a lot of laughs. We found a groove as Christopher and Paulie and I am proud to say I did a lot of my best and most fun work with my dear pal Tony. I will miss him forever. He is truly irreplaceable. I send love to his family, friends and his many many fans. He was beloved and will never be forgotten. Heartbroken today.
According to a social media post from his family, he is survived by his two children, as well as his siblings, nieces, nephews and other relatives.
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