'Sopranos' star Vincent Pastore dead at 80
Fox News national correspondent Bryan Llenas reports on the death of ‘Sopranos' star Vincent Pastore at age 80 on ‘Fox Report.’
Years after "The Sopranos" came to an end, its stars reunited for a heartbreaking reason – to say goodbye to Vincent Pastore.
Pastore was laid to rest Thursday in New York, surrounded by family and friends. His "Sopranos" co-star Steven Van Zandt served as a pallbearer, helping carry the late actor to his final resting place. Pastore's casket was draped with an American flag in honor of his time served in the Navy.
Pastore's daughter remembered the man best known for the role of Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero as "a giving person."
"He was a man who lived out his dreams… but he knew how lucky he was," she said during the emotional funeral, Page Six reported.
'THE SOPRANOS' ACTOR VINCENT PASTORE DEAD AT 80
Pallbearers, including Steven van Zandt, carry the casket of actor Vincent Pastore during his funeral at Holy Family Church in New Rochelle, NY, on Aug. 6. (James Keivom)
"I think that’s why he tried to share as much of it with as many people as possible," she added. "Whether that was a big tip, always in cash, or by shaking hands with every cop on every corner."
Maureen Van Zandt attends Vincent Pastore's funeral on Aug. 6. (T.JACKSON / BACKGRID)
Van Zandt told the outlet he kept in touch with Pastore "quite often" before his death.
"We just happened to call him two days ago. The day before he died, we luckily just happened to call him," he said, referring to himself and his wife Maureen. "He was one of a kind, and we’ll miss him very much."
Days after his death, the actor's "right-hand man," Stephen Villano, told The Post that Pastore was not anything like the character he often portrayed on the screen.
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Vincent Pastore rose to fame as a key character in "The Sopranos." (Getty Images)
"He said, ‘I’m an actor. I play a character.’ So people would think that this is the man, but that wasn’t the man," he said. "The man was generous, he was kind, he was caring," Villano said.
"He cared about his neighbors, he cared about charities, he cared about fundraisers," he said, specifically supporting veterans in the Bronx, U.S. troops and the police department.
"He supported St. Jude’s [Children’s Research Hospital] and he supported the NYPD," Villano added. "Widows, orphans, their Christmas parties…all the time, back the blue."
Mourners pay their respects to Vincent Pastore at his funeral on Aug. 6. (T.JACKSON / BACKGRID)
Pastore died Aug. 1, Fox News Digital previously confirmed.
"Vinny passed away either yesterday or today at home in The Bronx," his manager, Robert Attermann, said.
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"I had the privilege of representing Vinny for more than 30 years, long before 'The Sopranos' made him a household name," he added. "To the world, he will always be remembered as the unforgettable 'Big Pussy,' but to those of us who knew him, he was so much more."
Vincent Pastore is survived by his daughter Renee. (Cindy Ord/Getty Images)
In addition to Pastore's role on "The Sopranos," the actor also appeared in "Blue Bloods," "Law & Order," "General Hospital," "Bull," "Pair of Kings," "Hawaii Five-0" and most recently lent his voice on an episode of "Yellowjackets."
He also appeared in a number of movies, including "Goodfellas," "A Bronx Tale," "Carlito's Way," "Gotti," "Once Upon a Time in Brooklyn," "Mickey Blue Eyes" and others.
"He loved being an actor," Attermann said. "He was passionate about his craft and was always encouraging, respectful, and generous with young actors, taking the time to offer guidance and support whenever he could."
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Fox News Digital's Lori Bashian contributed to this report.
