Soprano star Tony Sirico dies at 79

Tony SiricoOne of the main stars of the series “The Sopranos” has died … TMZ confirmed.

Tony played Paulie “Walnuts” Gualtieri, one of Tony Soprano’s main players on every season of the HBO show. His brother Robert announced his death on Facebook, saying, “It is with great sadness, but incredible pride, love and many fond memories, that the family of Gennaro Anthony ‘Tony’ Sirico would like to inform you of his passing.”

Robert says that Tony passed away Friday morning. Sources connected to the family tell us that Tony has been living in an assisted living house in Fort Lauderdale, Florida for a few years, and has been in poor health.

Of course, Tony will be remembered most for his role in Sopranos – he won two Screen Actors Guild Awards for his outstanding performance by a cast.

Fun fact: He’s already auditioned for the role of Tony Soprano Uncle Junior – which, of course, eventually went to Dominic Chianyes. While that, David Chase Gave him the role of Polly. He had one rule about his acting roles… he’d never played “Rats.”

He also got a lot of voice acting roles in animated films such as “Family Guy” and “American Dad” – and played a gangster or gangster in several films, including “Goodfellas”, “Mighty Aphrodite” and “Gotti” Copeland and Mickey Blue Eyes.

Sirico was a huge supporter of the US military – he and James Gandolfini He once traveled to Iraq to take part in a troop rally there. He also continued to support the Wounded Warrior Project.

He is survived by his two children, Joan and Richard, and several grandchildren and siblings.

Tony was 79 years old.

rest in peace