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

Following the information of the actor’s passing, a number of “Sopranos” forged 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 good friend, colleague and accomplice in crime, the good TONY SIRICO has handed away at this time,” the actor captioned a photograph of himself and Sirico. “Tony was like nobody else: he was as robust, as loyal and as large hearted as anybody i’ve ever identified. I used to be at his facet via a lot: via good instances and unhealthy. However principally good. And we had plenty of laughs. We discovered a groove as Christopher and Paulie and I’m proud to say I did plenty of my greatest and most enjoyable work with my pricey pal Tony. I’ll miss him ceaselessly. He’s really irreplaceable. I ship like to his household, buddies and his many many followers. He was beloved and can by no means be forgotten. Heartbroken at this time.”

Bracco — 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 images 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 all the time had my again and who beloved my youngsters and my dad and mom. I’ve a lifetime of recollections with Tony — beginning with Goodfellas to The Sopranos and manner past — however my God, did now we have 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, the perfect good friend 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 photograph 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 good friend. 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 images, writing, “Oh Tony. I’m so heartbroken. I beloved you a lot. I’ve by no means been capable of stroll right into a room that you just had been in with out you giving me an infinite hug, drenching me in your cologne, and ensuring I knew any man that got here close to me must reply to you first. You had been SUCH an exceptional actor. Stealing each scene you had been in. You had 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 beloved 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 all the time Uncle Tony to me, and Tony all the time 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 snort. He was an exceptional actor and a good higher man. Tony was one in all a form. He touched many together 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 principal motive for the success” of the HBO sequence.

“The way in which Buddhists check with a jewel — supernatural and a grasp. However actually not a Zen grasp.  He was so uproarious, so humorous, so gifted,” Chase mentioned in an announcement, per Deadline. “I am very completely happy for him that in his mid-fifties and sixties he lastly realized how gifted and beloved he was. I used to be simply interested by him yesterday, surprisingly sufficient, and was reminded that he was a principal motive for the success of ‘The Sopranos.’ I’ll miss him tremendously, 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 can 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 dwelling in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, sources advised TMZ. Nonetheless, his explanation for loss of life 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 loss of life got here just some weeks shy of what would have been his eightieth birthday on July 29.