The Sopranos’ Tony Sirico Lifeless At 79, Co-Stars Pay Tribute

Sirico is greatest identified for his position within the award-winning HBO sequence, through which he starred as Paulie “Walnuts” Gualtieri.

In line with TMZ on Friday, Sirico’s brother, Robert, shared the unhappy information of Sirico’s dying in a Fb put up that learn: “It’s with nice disappointment, however with unbelievable pleasure, love and an entire lot of fond recollections, that the household of Gennaro Anthony ‘Tony’ Sirico needs to tell you of his dying.”

Following the information of the actor’s passing, a number of “Sopranos” solid members, together with Michael Imperioli, Lorraine Bracco and Steven Van Zandt, took to social media to pay tribute to Sirico, sharing recollections and praising the late star’s expertise, character and humorousness.

Imperioli — who portrayed Christopher Moltisanti within the sequence — honored Sirico on Instagram, whom he described as “like nobody else.”

“It pains me to say that my pricey pal, colleague and accomplice in crime, the nice TONY SIRICO has handed away in the present day,” the actor captioned a photograph of himself and Sirico. “Tony was like nobody else: he was as robust, as loyal and as huge hearted as anybody i’ve ever identified. I used to be at his facet by means of a lot: by means of good occasions and dangerous. However largely good. And we had a whole lot of laughs. We discovered a groove as Christopher and Paulie and I’m proud to say I did a whole lot of my greatest and most enjoyable work with my pricey pal Tony. I’ll miss him endlessly. He’s actually irreplaceable. I ship like to his household, buddies and his many many followers. He was beloved and can by no means be forgotten. Heartbroken in the present day.”

Braco — who starred alongside Sirico in “The Sopranos,” “Goodfellas” and the Humorous or Die quick “The Bensonhurst Spelling Bee” — additionally shared a tribute on Instagram, posting two photographs of the 2 of them collectively.

“I like Tony Sirico,” wrote the actress, who performed psychiatrist Dr. Jennifer Melfi on “The Sopranos.” “A rise up man who at all times had my again and who cherished my kids and my dad and mom. I’ve a lifetime of recollections with Tony — beginning with Goodfellas to The Sopranos and method past — however my God, did we’ve got enjoyable doing the Bensonhurst Spelling Bee — I am nonetheless laughing. I hope he’s in heaven cracking all people up now.”

Van Zandt — who portrayed Silvio Dante, one of the best pal of Sirico’s character on “The Sopranos” — reacted to Sirico’s passing on Twitter. The actor — who additionally shared the display with Sirico within the Netflix sequence “Lilyhammer” — posted a candy picture of himself and Sirico, writing, “RIP Tony Sirico. Legendary. Silvio’s greatest buddy ‘Paulie Walnuts’ in The Sopranos, Frankie ‘The Fixer’s’ older brother Antonino ‘Father Tony’ Tagliano in Lilyhammer. A bigger than life character on and off display. Gonna miss you a large number my pal. Deepest condolences to the household.”

Jamie Lynn Sigler additionally mourned Sirico’s passing on social media, saying she was “so heartbroken” over the information. In an Instagram put up, Sigler — who starred as Meadow Soprano — shared a sequence of photographs, writing, “Oh Tony. I’m so heartbroken. I cherished you a lot. I’ve by no means been capable of stroll right into a room that you simply have been in with out you giving me an unlimited hug, drenching me in your cologne, and ensuring I knew any man that got here close to me must reply to you first. You have been SUCH an exceptional actor. Stealing each scene you have been in. You have been robust, and powerful, but candy and an actual artist. There’ll by no means ever be anybody such as you. I really feel so fortunate to have identified you and been cherished by you. ❤️❤️?.”

In the meantime, Michael Gandolfini — the son of the late “Sopranos” lead star James Gandolfini — referred to as Sirico “one of many kindest, fiercely loyal, and heartfelt males that I’ve ever identified” in a heartfelt Instagram put up.

“He was at all times Uncle Tony to me, and Tony at all times confirmed up for me and my household,” he wrote alongside a shot of himself and Sirico. “I will deeply miss his pinches on my cheek, and his infectious chortle. He was an exceptional actor and a good higher man. Tony was one among a sort. He touched many along with his present and my coronary heart goes out to his household, his buddies, and all of his followers. We love you Tony, thanks for all the enjoyment you dropped at many. You can be missed.”

David Chase, the creator of “The Sopranos,” additionally paid tribute to Sirico, whom he named “a primary cause for the success” of the HBO sequence.

“The best way Buddhists consult with a jewel — supernatural and a grasp. However actually not a Zen grasp.  He was so uproarious, so humorous, so gifted,” Chase stated in a press release, per Deadline. “I am very completely satisfied for him that in his mid-fifties and sixties he lastly realized how gifted and cherished he was. I used to be simply enthusiastic about him yesterday, unusually sufficient, and was reminded that he was a primary cause for the success of ‘The Sopranos.’ I’ll miss him vastly, Gennaro. As will the world.”

HBO additionally honored Sirico on Twitter, writing, “Tony Sirico was an incredible, one-of-a-kind expertise. On The Sopranos, his legendary efficiency because the unwavering Paulie Walnuts cemented him as an icon, beloved for his one-liners and steadfast devotion. He will likely be sorely missed by the HBO household.”

See extra reactions from “The Sopranos” present household within the social media posts, under.

For the previous couple of years, Sirico — whose well being had been deteriorating — had been residing in an assisted dwelling house in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, sources informed TMZ. Nevertheless, his reason behind dying has not but been revealed.

Sirico is survived by his siblings, his two youngsters — Joanne and Richard — in addition to grandchildren.

The late actor’s dying got here only a few weeks shy of what would have been his eightieth birthday on July 29.