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The Sopranos star Tony Sirico – best known for playing Paulie Walnuts – dead at 79 says co-star Michael Imperioli: ‘He was beloved and will never be forgotten’
His co-star Michael Imperioli revealed the sad news with an Instagram post on Friday featuring the two of them together
The 56-year-old actor – who portrayed Christopher Moltisanti in the iconic HBO series – wrote: It pains me to say that my dear friend, colleague and partner in crime , the great TONY SIRICO has passed away today’
The American actor’s – born Gennaro Anthony Sirico Jr. – cause of death has yet to be revealed
He has reportedly been in failing health for the past several years and ultimately died at an assisted living facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida
Imperioli worked closely with Sirico as Christopher was put in charge of Paulie’s crew when he was promoted to underboss in the series
Many of Sirico’s other The Sopranos castmates also paid tribute including Lorraine Bracco, Jamie Lynn Sigler, and Steven Van Zandt
Sirico’s character Paulie was one of the chief henchmen of series protagonist Tony Soprano who was portrayed by the late James Gandolfini
Sirico was born in Brooklyn and as a teenager was part of a real-life street gang. He was once seen associating with Colombo family Caporegime Jimmy ‘Green Eyes’ Clemenza, along with fellow Sopranos actor Vincent Pastor
He served time in jail for robbery and felony arms possession before deciding to give acting a try after being visited by a troupe of reformed convicts behind bars
Following The Sopranos, he has made appearances in Medium and Lilyhammer and voiced characters on Family Guy and American Dad!
He was also also set to reprise his Sopranos role in prequel film The Many Saints of Newark which was released last year but his health had prevented him from returning to his signature role

Tony Sirico – who is best known for playing Peter Paul ‘Paulie Walnuts’ Gualtieri in The Sopranos – has died aged 79.

His co-star Michael Imperioli revealed the sad news with an Instagram post on Friday featuring the two of them together.

The 56-year-old actor – who portrayed Christopher Moltisanti in the iconic HBO series – wrote: It pains me to say that my dear friend, colleague and partner in crime, the great TONY SIRICO has passed away today.

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