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Vincent Pastore

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Vincent Pastore
Pastore in 2013
Born
Vincent Dominic Pastore

(1946-07-14)July 14, 1946
New York City, U.S.
DiedAugust 1, 2026(2026-08-01) (aged 80)
New York City, U.S.
EducationPace University
OccupationActor
Years active1988–2026
Spouse
Nancy Berke
​
(divorced)​
Children1

Vincent Dominic Pastore (/pæˈstɔːr/; July 14, 1946 – August 1, 2026) was an American actor. Often cast as a mafioso, he was perhaps best known for his portrayal of Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero on the HBO drama series The Sopranos (1999–2007) earning a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Pastore started his career taking small parts in films such as Goodfellas (1990), Carlito's Way (1993), and Manhattan Murder Mystery (1993). He then made notable appearances in the HBO film Gotti (1996), Mickey Blue Eyes (1999),DreamWorks's Shark Tale (2004) and Revolver (2005).

On television, he took early small roles in Law & Order from 1992 to 1996, followed by recurring roles in the drama series Bull (2000), the sitcom Son of the Beach (2000–2002), the legal drama The Practice (2004), and the adult animated comedy series Aqua Teen Hunger Force (2008–2012). His final roles were in the Showtime satirical series The Curse (2024) and the thriller series Yellowjackets (2025).

On stage, he made his Broadway debut in Chicago (2007) followed by a role in the Woody Allen musical Bullets Over Broadway (2014).

Early life

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Vincent Dominic Pastore was born on July 14, 1946,[1] to an Italian-American family in the Bronx, New York City, and grew up in an Italian-American neighborhood in New Rochelle, New York.[2] Following his graduation from high school in 1964, he enlisted as a sailor in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. He completed his basic training at Naval Station Great Lakes and was later assigned to Naval Air Station Quonset Point, Naval Station Norfolk and Naval Base San Diego. He was honorably discharged in 1967. He then received a degree in drama from Pace University.[3] Pastore worked in the club business[4] and as a chauffeur[2] before eventually going into the acting industry after befriending Matt and Kevin Dillon.[2]

Career

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1988–1998: Early roles

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Pastore made a career of portraying Italian-American gangsters in film and television. He began with small parts in the late 1980s and early 1990s,[4] in films such as Goodfellas (1990) and Carlito's Way (1993). In Goodfellas, he is briefly seen rolling a coat rack through the kitchen of the Bamboo Lounge and is credited as "Vinny Pastore" playing "Man with Coat Rack". In Carlito's Way, he portrays one of the friends of the Italian man that dances with Gail, whom Kleinfeld insults. He is listed in the credits as "Vinny Pastore" playing "Copa Wiseguy". He also appeared in Flodders in America (1992), Money Train (1995), A Brooklyn State of Mind, The Last Don (both 1997), Witness to the Mob, Mafia! (both 1998), The Hurricane (1999), and The Deli.[5] He appeared on Law & Order in various roles from 1992 to 1996.

Pastore got a bigger role in the comedy/crime film The Jerky Boys: The Movie (1995) as Tony Scarboni, one of the three gangsters and Lazarro's (played by Alan Arkin) clients. In the 1996 HBO television movie Gotti, Pastore played the character of Angelo Ruggiero, alongside future The Sopranos cast members Tony Sirico, Frank Vincent, and Dominic Chianese.[6]

1999–2007: Breakthrough with The Sopranos and Broadway debut

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Pastore as Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero on The Sopranos

In 1999, Pastore got his biggest role in the HBO series The Sopranos, where he played the character Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero.[6]

In addition to The Sopranos, he appeared in Mickey Blue Eyes, Two Family House (with The Sopranos castmates Michael Rispoli, Kathrine Narducci, Matt Servitto, Michele Santopietro, and Sharon Angela), Under Hellgate Bridge, Riding in Cars with Boys, Deuces Wild, Made, Serving Sara, American Cousins, A Tale of Two Pizzas, This Thing of Ours, Remedy, Shark Tale, Bachelor Party Vegas, Johnny Slade's Greatest Hits, and Guy Ritchie's Revolver.

Pastore's other television credits include Grounded for Life, character Vinnie Fellachio in Son of the Beach, the soap opera One Life to Live, host of Repo-Men/Stealing for a Living, Ed, Queens Supreme, Las Vegas, and Everybody Hates Chris.

Pastore lost 29 pounds (13 kg) on the fourth season of the VH1 reality show Celebrity Fit Club, which ran from August 6 to October 1, 2006.

On February 20, 2007, ABC announced that Pastore would participate in the fourth season of the American version of the competitive dance series Dancing with the Stars.[7] He withdrew from the competition after only one week. Pastore said that he found the necessary training and preparation too physically demanding. John Ratzenberger took his place in the competition.[8]

In 2007, Pastore starred in the independent feature film P.J.: A Journey of the Heart.[9] Also in 2007, he made his Broadway debut in the musical Chicago as a replacement playing Amos Hart.[10]

2008–2026: Return to Broadway and reality show roles

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Pastore at the 2017 Chiller Theatre Expo, Parsippany, New Jersey

In 2008, Pastore joined the cast of General Hospital as Maximus Giambetti, the father of two other characters on the show. On this program he once again played a mobster. He had roles in 2008's College Road Trip and Our Last Days as Children. He also starred in the 2008 film Dough Boys and served as associate producer on the film.

Pastore was featured as a contestant on the January 2008 edition of Celebrity Apprentice. In the second week, he participated in raising $52,286 by selling hot dogs on a Manhattan street for the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Research.[11] In a task of selling Broadway show tickets, with Pastore as project manager, he led his team to raise $33,300 for charity. In the fifth week, he got into a faked, blow-out conflict with the project manager of the task, Piers Morgan, to see if he could get the women to let him on their team to spy on them. The episode had played out like an episode of The Sopranos, with Pastore switching allegiances multiple times. Pastore was deliberately "ratted out" to the women by Morgan in the end, to make Pastore look bad to the women. While Pastore and the men then lost their task, before Trump even lifted a finger to fire anyone that week, Pastore resigned from the show and Trump eventually accepted Pastore's resignation after trying to convince him to stay. The show ended with a sequence based on the series finale of The Sopranos, ending abruptly before Pastore could give the customary end-of-show interview in the cab. The week-6 episode begins with Pastore meeting his ex-wife Nancy in a restaurant and presenting her the check he received for being project manager for $50,000, in memory of her husband Mitchell Burke's memorial fund with the Lustgarden Foundation.

On July 1, 2008, Pastore appeared on NBC's new show, Celebrity Family Feud, as part of a family team trying to win $50,000 for their favorite charity.[12] He first competed, with his friends and family, against the cast of The Girls Next Door. Then, Pastore's team made it to the finals against Kathie Lee Gifford's family, but did not win. Pastore and his team picked up a $10,000 consolation prize for their charity researching a cure for pancreatic cancer.

In 2009, Pastore starred in Pavaline Studio's debut short film, Alienated. In 2010, he starred in the award-winning indie mob-comedy Pizza with Bullets. On April 8, 2011, Pastore and a business partner appeared on Shark Tank for an investment in "Broccoli Wad", a money clip. All the "Sharks" wanted out, and Barbara Corcoran said, "this is one of the dumbest things I've ever seen on this show". She later had the idea of putting Pastore's face and name on the box, and labeling it "Vinnie's Wad". She offered $50,000 for a 40% stake in the company, and would give half of her ownership to Pastore in exchange for his name and face on the packaging; Pastore and his partner agreed.[13] A year later, Pastore made an appearance on an episode of truTV's World's Smartest Inventions after his commercial for "the Broccoli Wad" aired on the show.

On July 10, 2011, he appeared on the VH1 Marc Cronin-produced reality show Famous Food. In the show, contestants are assigned the task of opening a restaurant on the Sunset Strip. Pastore played Mayor Avenoso in the 2012 indie feature Surviving Family. He also appeared in the TV series Blue Bloods, The Making of the Mob: Chicago, and an uncredited voice role in the television program Aqua Teen Hunger Force as Terry. He featured in the 2013 films The Family, Once Upon a Time in Brooklyn, and I'm in Love with a Church Girl. In 2014, he returned to Broadway as Nick Valenti in the Woody Allen musical Bullets Over Broadway opposite Zach Braff.[14][15] He appeared with Joseph R. Gannascoli on Gordon Ramsay's 24 Hours to Hell and Back on January 21, 2020.[16]

Other ventures

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Radio and podcast

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Pastore hosted The Wiseguy Show on Sirius Satellite Radio on the now defunct Raw Dog channel 104. Described as a "weekly three-hour celebration of Italian-American culture." Produced by Sopranos co-star Steven Van Zandt, it aired on Wednesdays from 6–9 pm ET.[17] He also had stints as a radio host on the New Rochelle, New York, station WVOX in 2004 and 2012, with guest appearances in between.

In September 2020, Pastore started a podcast with Goumba Johnny called Fuhgeddaboudit with Vinny Pastore.[18]

Vincent Pastore's Italian Sauce

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In 2019, Pastore launched a tomato sauce business under the name of Vincent Pastore's Italian Sauce. The sauce is made with San Marzano tomatoes, is not GMO, and has no added sugar.[19]

Personal life and death

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Pastore was divorced from Nancy Berke with whom he had a daughter. He befriended Berke's subsequent husband and donated the winnings from his stint on The Apprentice to a charity in his name. Pastore was diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2014.[14] He served as the grand marshal of the Columbus Day parade in the Bronx the same year.[20] He lived on City Island in the northeastern Bronx.[21]

Pastore was found dead at his City Island residence on August 1, 2026. He had last been seen three days prior, and had last made contact with his neighbor via phone on July 31. He was 80.[6][22] His funeral was held in New Rochelle on August 6.[23]

Acting credits

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Film

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Year Title Role Notes
1988 Black Roses Tony's Dad
1989 True Love Angelo
1990 Q & A Man Sitting at Bar Uncredited
Tales from the Darkside: The Movie Man in Art Gallery
Backstreet Dreams Fat Tony
State of Grace Borelli's Man Uncredited
Goodfellas Man with Coatrack
Men of Respect Sammy
Awakenings Ward #5 Patient #6
1991 New Jack City Mobster Uncredited
1992 Flodders in America Man without Petrol
1993 Who's the Man? Tony 'Clams' Como
Manhattan Murder Mystery Man in Restaurant
Carlito's Way Copa Wiseguy
1994 The Ref State Trooper
It Could Happen to You Bowling Team Member #1
Who Do I Gotta Kill? Aldo "Birdman" Badamo
1995 The Basketball Diaries Construction Worker
The Jerky Boys: The Movie Tony Scarboni
Money Train Gambler
1996 Walking and Talking Laura's Devil-Seeing Patient
Sunset Park Charlie the Super
Joe's Apartment Apartment Broker #2
Night Falls on Manhattan Cop #3
1997 All Over Me Don
The Deli Lou [5]
Six Ways to Sunday Uncle Max
1998 A Brooklyn State of Mind Vinnie "D"
Mafia! Gorgoni
1999 Mickey Blue Eyes Al
The Hurricane Alfred Bello
2000 Blue Moon Joey
Two Family House Angelo
2001 Made Jimmy
Corky Romano Tony
Riding in Cars with Boys Uncle Lou
2002 This Thing of Ours Skippy
Deuces Wild Father Aldo
Serving Sara Tony
2003 American Cousins Tony
2004 The Cookout Poo Salesman
Shark Tale Luca (voice)
2005 Remedy Casper Black
Revolver Zach
2006 Bachelor Party Vegas Carmine/Mr. Kidd Video
Last Request Father Patton
2008 College Road Trip Freddy
Return to Sleepaway Camp Frank Direct to video
2009 Oy Vey! My Son Is Gay!! Carmine Ferraro
2012 Surviving Family Mayor Avenoso
2013 Once Upon a Time in Brooklyn Luigi Leone
The Family Fat Willy
Torture Chamber Dr. Fiore
I'm in Love with a Church Girl Nick Halston
2015 Staten Island Summer Leo Manicucci
2016 The Eyes Harry
Calico Skies Vincenzo
2017 Pitching Tents Tony
2018 Papa Frankie Vincent
2019 Vault Frank
Bottom of the 9th Cosmo
2021 The Birthday Cake Vito
2023 Spinning Gold Big Joey
TBA Bad News on the Doorstep Jerry Post-production, posthumous release

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1990 H.E.L.P. Fireman 1 episode
1992-1996 Law & Order Various characters 4 episodes
1993 The Adventures of Pete & Pete Vincent Park – Bowling Agent 1 episode
Taking the Heat Tommy's Man on Courthouse Steps Television film
1994 New York Undercover Goon #1 1 episode
1996 Gotti Angelo Ruggiero Television film
1997 The Last Don Danny Fuberta Miniseries, 1 episode
Dellaventura Mickey Ezra 1 episode
1998 Witness to the Mob Mikey De Batt Television film
1999–2007 The Sopranos Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero Main cast (seasons 1 & 2), recurring (season 3), guest (seasons 5 & 6)
2000 Bull Len Rutigliano 2 episodes
2000–02 Son of the Beach Vinnie Fellachio 3 episodes
2001 For Your Love Norm 1 episode
Emeril Himself 1 episode
2002 Ed Ralph Pazzuti III 1 episode
Grounded for Life Uncle Sal 1 episode
2003 Queens Supreme Norm Delgado Recurring role, 6 episodes
Less than Perfect Bookie 1 episode
2004 Fillmore! Mr. Casteneda (voice) 1 episode
The Practice Lenny Pescatore 3 episodes
Cyberchase Himself 1 episode
2006 Las Vegas Jimmy 'The Chin' Aversano 1 episode
2007 Everybody Hates Chris Paulie 1 episode
Mad TV Himself 1 episode
2008 General Hospital Maximus Giambetti Regular role, 6 episodes
2008–12 Aqua Teen Hunger Force Terry (voice) 3 episodes, uncredited
2010–12 Pair of Kings Yamakoshi (voice) Recurring role, 10 episodes
2013 Blue Bloods Richie Tomlin 1 episode
2017 Animals Big Pussy (voice) 2 episodes
2018 Hawaii Five-0 Uncle Vito 2 episodes
2019 Wu-Tang: An American Saga Fat Larry Recurring role, 6 episodes
2021 Gravesend Donnie 'Glasses' Sisto Recurring role, 6 episodes
2024 The Curse Himself Episode: "Green Queen"
2025 Yellowjackets Llama (voice) Episode: "Them's the Brakes"

Theatre

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Year Title Role Venue
2007ChicagoAmos Hart (replacement) Ambassador Theatre, Broadway
2014Bullets Over BroadwayNick ValentiSt. James Theatre, Broadway

Video games

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Year Title Role Notes
2006 The Sopranos: Road to Respect Sal "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero (voice) Video game

Music videos

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Year Artist Song Notes
2001 Dave Matthews Band "Everyday" Himself

Awards and nominations

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Year Awards Category Recipient Outcome
2000 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series The Sopranos Won
2001 Nominated

References

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  1. ↑ Risen, Clay. "Vincent Pastore, Whose 'Sopranos' Character Ratted Out Tony, Dies at 80". The New York Times. Retrieved August 2, 2026.
  2. 1 2 3 Smith, Tracey. "Vincent Pastore". Edge Magazine. Archived from the original on April 30, 2026. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  3. ↑ "Pastore, Vinny 1946(?)- (Vincent Pastore, Vinnie Pastore)". Encyclopedia.com. Archived from the original on April 30, 2026. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  4. 1 2 Coleman, Bryce (January 4, 2024). "Vincent Pastore – Actor". TV Insider. Archived from the original on April 30, 2026. Retrieved April 29, 2026.
  5. 1 2 The Deli at IMDb
  6. 1 2 3 Andreeva, Nellie (August 1, 2026). "Vincent Pastore Dies: 'The Sopranos' Star Was 80". Deadline. Archived from the original on August 1, 2026.
  7. ↑ "Meet the New Cast of 'Dancing With the Stars". ABC. February 20, 2007.
  8. ↑ "John Ratzenberger Joins Cast of 'Dancing with the Stars'". ABC News. March 2, 2006.
  9. ↑ "P.J.: A Journey of the Heart". Official Website. Archived from the original on November 28, 2018.
  10. ↑ "Chicago (1996)". Playbill. Archived from the original on July 28, 2026. Retrieved August 1, 2026.
  11. ↑ "Pastore wins $50,000 on 'Apprentice'". UPI. Archived from the original on November 24, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  12. ↑ Patterson, Troy (July 2, 2008). "Celebrity Circus, Celebrity Family Feud, Wipeout, and other summer shows reviewed". Slate Magazine. Archived from the original on September 15, 2019. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  13. ↑ ""Sopranos" star Vincent Pastore endorses rubber band". HollywoodNews.com. April 9, 2011. Archived from the original on October 20, 2020. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  14. 1 2 "Hamill: 'Sopranos' alum Vinny Pastore won't let cancer keep him from 'Bullets Over Broadway'". New York Daily News. July 6, 2014. Archived from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  15. ↑ "Bullets Over Broadway (2014)". Playbill. Archived from the original on July 14, 2026. Retrieved August 1, 2026.
  16. ↑ Rejent, Joseph (January 8, 2020). "Gordon Ramsay's 24 Hours to Hell and Back free live stream: How to watch online without cable". NJ. Archived from the original on September 25, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  17. ↑ "SIRIUS Satellite Radio Launches The Wiseguy Show, A Celebration Of Italian-American Culture" (Press release). Sirius. March 23, 2004. Archived from the original on December 8, 2008.
  18. ↑ "Fuhgeddaboudit with Vinny Pastore". Apple Podcasts. July 6, 2021. Archived from the original on July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 8, 2021.
  19. ↑ "'Sopranos' star Vincent Pastore set to launch new tomato sauce at A&S in Merrick". Long Island Herald. October 10, 2019. Archived from the original on February 28, 2020. Retrieved February 28, 2020.
  20. ↑ Williams, Jaime (October 16, 2014). "A Bronx tradition marches up Morris Park Avenue". Bronx Times. Archived from the original on January 25, 2025. Retrieved January 2, 2024.
  21. ↑ Kappstatter, Bob (January 11, 2019) [January 22, 2008]. "Bronx spotlight on Vincent Pastore". Daily News. New York. Archived from the original on March 29, 2022. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  22. ↑ Carlson, Michael (August 3, 2026). "Vincent Pastore obituary". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved August 3, 2026.
  23. ↑ "Obituary Information for Vincent D. Pastore". www.lloydmaxcy.com.
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