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)
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