Tony Sirico obit

Tony Sirico, ‘The Sopranos’ Actor, Dies at 79

Sirico portrayed "Paulie Walnuts" Gualtieri on the HBO series

 

He was not on the list.

Tony Sirico, best known for his role as “Paulie Walnuts” Gualtieri on The Sopranos, has died. He was 79.

Sirico passed away Friday at an assisted living facility in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., according to his manager of 25 years Bob McGowan. No cause of death was revealed but Sirico had been suffering from dementia for the past couple years.

“Not only was he a loyal client, he was a good friend,” McGowan told The Hollywood Reporter.

Sirico portrayed “Paulie Walnuts” Gualtieri, a close confidante of James Gandolfini’s Tony Soprano, on the HBO series.

His Sopranos co-star Michael Imperioli paid tribute to Sirico on his Instagram writing, “It pains me to say that my dear friend, colleague and partner in crime, the great TONY SIRICO has passed away today. Tony was like no one else: he was as tough, as loyal and as big hearted as anyone i’ve ever known.”

He continued, “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.”

Born in New York City on July 29, 1942, Sirico served in the Army before launching his acting career in the 1970s. Sirico made his acting debut in the 1974 drama Crazy Joe starring Henry Winkler.

Sirico was also known for roles in such films as Goodfellas, Cop Land and Mickey Blue Eyes. He frequently collaborated with Woody Allen, having appeared in the director’s films Bullets Over Broadway, Mighty Aphrodite, Everyone Says I Love You, Deconstructing Harry, Celebrity and Wonder Wheel.

Among his TV work was a voice role on five episodes of Family Guy as Vinny Griffin, who was temporarily the family’s dog. Sirico also recurred on Netflix’s Lilyhammer and as a voice on American Dad! Other TV roles include Miami Vice, Chuck, Medium, Taxi Brooklyn and The Grindr.

He most recent work includes the film Respect the Jux.

The Sopranos creator David Chase paid tribute to Sirico with a statement that read, “Tony was a jewel. The way Buddhists refer to a jewel — supernatural and a master. But certainly not a Zen master. He was so uproarious, so funny, so talented. I’m very happy for him that in his mid-50s and 60s he finally learned how talented and loved he was. I was just thinking about him yesterday, strangely enough, and was reminded that he was a main reason for the success of The Sopranos. I will miss him greatly, Gennaro. As will the world.”

Sirico was also remembered by his co-stars Lorraine Bracco and Stevie Van Zandt. Sopranos and Goodfellas star Bracco tweeted, “A stand up guy who always had my back and who loved my children and my parents. I have a lifetime of memories with Tony – starting with Goodfellas to The Sopranos and way beyond but my God, did we have fun doing the Bensonhurst Spelling Bee. I hope he’s in heaven cracking everybody up now. Love you, my pal.” Bracco also starred alongside Sirico in a Funny or Die short The Bensonhurst Spelling Bee.

Sirico’s Lilyhammer co-star Zandt wrote, “RIP Tony Sirico. Legendary. Silvio’s best buddy ‘Paulie Walnuts’ in The Sopranos, Frankie ‘The Fixer’s’ older brother Antonino ‘Father Tony’ Tagliano in Lilyhammer. A larger than life character on and off screen. Gonna miss you a lot my friend. Deepest condolences to the family.”

Meanwhile HBO described Sirico as “a tremendous, one-of-a-kind talent. “On The Sopranos, his legendary performance as the unwavering Paulie Walnuts cemented him as an icon, beloved for his one-liners and steadfast devotion. He will be sorely missed by the HBO family,” a statement shared on HBO’s official Twitter account read.

Sirico is survived by daughter Joanne, son Richard and brother Robert.

Actor (82 credits)

  All Mobbed Up (announced)

Uncle Johnny

  Street Justice (pre-production)

Johnny

  Super Athlete (completed)

Coach Lou

 2022 Respect the Jux

Bobby

 2022 Dem Tinseltown Homiez, the Hollywood Guys (TV Series)

TV Pilot Star

- Filming at Jamie Foxx's House story! Tony Sirico Paulie Walnuts The Sopranos Selma Blair TV Pilot LA (2022) ... TV Pilot Star

 2022 If I Go Will They Miss Me (Short)

 2019 Return to Me (Short)

Tony

 2017-2019 American Dad! (TV Series)

Mobster / Enzo Perotti

- Persona Assistant (2019) ... Mobster (voice)

- Garbage Stan (2017) ... Enzo Perotti (voice)

 2018 Sarah Q

Mr. Danny

 2017 Wonder Wheel

Angelo

 2013-2016 Family Guy (TV Series)

Vinny / Tony Sirico

- The Boys in the Band (2016) ... Vinny (voice)

- Stewie, Chris & Brian's Excellent Adventure (2015) ... Tony Sirico

- Christmas Guy (2013) ... Vinny (voice)

- Into Harmony's Way (2013) ... Vinny (voice)

- Life of Brian (2013) ... Vinny (voice)

 2016 Café Society

Vito

 2016 The Grinder (TV Series)

Sebastian

- Grinder v Grinder (2016) ... Sebastian

 2015/I Touched

Anthony-Guard

 2014 Family on Board (Short)

Rocco

 2013-2014 Lilyhammer (TV Series)

Antonino 'Father Tony' Tagliano / Tony Tagliano

- Loose Ends (2014) ... Antonino 'Father Tony' Tagliano

- Ghosts (2013) ... Tony Tagliano

 2014 Friends and Romans

Bobby Musso

 2014 Zarra's Law

Tony Zarra

 2014 Taxi Brooklyn (TV Series)

Tony

- Revenge (2014) ... Tony (as Genaro Anthony Sirico)

 2013 Nicky Deuce (TV Movie)

Charlie Cement

 2012 Jersey Shore Shark Attack (TV Movie)

Captain Salie

 2012 The Bensonhurst Spelling Bee (Short)

Spelling bee judge

 2010 Skate (Short)

Skate

 2010 Medium (TV Series)

Tony

- Bring Your Daughter to Work Day (2010) ... Tony

 2010 Chuck (TV Series)

Matty

- Chuck Versus the Fake Name (2010) ... Matty

 2009 Karma Calling

G. (voice)

 2008 A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa (TV Movie)

Mobster

 2008 The Sno Cone Stand Inc

Bob Beasley

 1999-2007 The Sopranos (TV Series)

Paulie 'Walnuts' Gualtieri

- Made in America (2007) ... Paulie 'Walnuts' Gualtieri

- The Blue Comet (2007) ... Paulie 'Walnuts' Gualtieri

- The Second Coming (2007) ... Paulie 'Walnuts' Gualtieri

- Kennedy and Heidi (2007) ... Paulie 'Walnuts' Gualtieri

- Walk Like a Man (2007) ... Paulie 'Walnuts' Gualtieri

2007 The Sopranos: Threshold (Video short)

 2006 The Sopranos: Road to Respect (Video Game)

Paulie 'Walnuts' Gualtieri (voice)

 2005 The Sopranos: Season 6 Invitation to the Set (Video short)

 2004-2005 Fairly OddParents (TV Series)

Big Daddy

- Mooooving Day/Big Wanda (2005) ... Big Daddy (voice)

- Timmy TV/Talkin' Trash (2004) ... Big Daddy (voice)

 2002 Turn of Faith

Jimmy

 2001 Smokin' Stogies

Tony Batts

 2000 It Had to Be You

Ricky Valentino

 1999 Mickey Blue Eyes

First Risolli Man

 1998 Vig (TV Movie)

Locasso

 1998 Celebrity

Lou DeMarco

 1998 Witness to the Mob (TV Movie)

Tommy Gambino (uncredited)

 1998 Mob Queen

Joey (The Heart) Aorta

 1997 The Good Life

Junior

 1997 The Deli

Tony

 1997 Deconstructing Harry

Policeman at Jail

 1997 Cop Land

Toy Torillo

 1996 Cosby (TV Series)

Teddy

- Happily Ever Hilton (1996) ... Teddy

 1996 Everyone Says I Love You

Escaped Convict

 1996 Gotti (TV Movie)

Joe Dimiglia

 1995 Dearly Beloved (Short)

Mr. Bedutz

 1995 Secret Sins

Jack

 1995 Dead Presidents

Officer Spinelli

 1995 Mighty Aphrodite

Boxing Trainer

 1994 The Search for One-eye Jimmy

Snake

 1994 Bullets Over Broadway

Rocco

 1994 Men Lie

Porno Witness

 1993 Romeo Is Bleeding

Malacci

 1993 New York Cop

Mr. C

 1992 Innocent Blood

Jacko

 1992 In the Shadow of a Killer (TV Movie)

Tony Andretti

 1991 29th Street

Chink Fortunado

 1990 Goodfellas

Tony Stacks

 1990 Catchfire

Greek (as G. Anthony Sirico)

 1989 Perfect Witness (TV Movie)

Marco

 1989 Cookie

Carmine's Wiseguy

 1989 White Hot

Luke

 1989 Miami Vice (TV Series)

Frank Romano

- Fruit of the Poison Tree (1989) ... Frank Romano

 1987 The Galucci Brothers

Galucci Brother

 1987 Hello Again

Tough Guy

 1987 The Pick-up Artist

Patsy

 1983 The Last Fight

Frankie (as Anthony Sirico)

 1983 Exposed

Record Store Thief (as Tony Sirico jr.)

 1982 Police Squad! (TV Series)

Poker Player

- Ring of Fear (A Dangerous Assignment) (1982) ... Poker Player (uncredited)

 1981 So Fine

Associate of Mr. Eddie (as Anthony Sirico Jr.)

 1981 Love & Money

Raoul (as Anthony Sirico)

 1980 Hoodlums

Gus' Driver (as Tony Sirico Jr.)

 1980 Defiance

Davey (as G. Anthony Sirico)

 1978 The One Man Jury

Charlie Nuts (as Anthony Sirico)

 1978 The Plant Family (TV Movie)

Eddie (as Anthony Sirico)

 1978 Fingers

Riccamonza (as Anthony Sirico)

 1977 Kojak (TV Series)

Greek God

- Case Without a File (1977) ... Greek God

 1977 The Godfather Saga (TV Mini Series)

Extra (unconfirmed, uncredited)

 1977 Hughes and Harlow: Angels in Hell

Frankie Rio (as Anthony Sirico)