The Sopranos Star Tony Sirico - Known As Paulie Walnuts - Dead At 79

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 series - wrote:  It pains me to say that my dear friend, colleague and partner in , the great TONY SIRICO has passed away today. 
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Iconic: Tony Sirico - who is best known for playing Peter Paul 'Paulie Walnuts' Gualtieri in The Sopranos - has died aged 79, he is seen in an episode which aired in 2005
'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
Iconic: Steven Van Zandt, James Gandolfini, and Tony Sirico are seen left to right in season 7 of The Sopranos back in 2007
'Tony was like no one else: he was as tough, as loyal and as big hearted as anyone i've ever known. I was at his side through so much: through good times and bad.

But mostly good. And we had a lot of laughs.'
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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.
DailyMail.com has reached out to Sirico's representatives for comment.
Legend: The American actor's - born Gennaro Anthony Sirico Jr.

- cause of death has yet to be revealed, Sirico is seen at SopranosCon in New Jersey back in November 2019
Sad: He has reportedly been in failing health for the past several years and ultimately died at an assisted living facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida (Sirico is seen in New York back in December 2016)
Gone too soon: Sirico's character Paulie was one of the chief henchmen of series protagonist Tony Soprano who was portrayed by the late James Gandolfini, they are seen on the series back in March 2006
Imperioli worked closely with Sirico as Christopher was put in charge of Paulie's crew when he was promoted to underboss in the series. 
Imperioli wrote: '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. #thesopranos #hbo #tonysirico #pauliewalnuts'
Sirico's manager Bob McGowan confirmed the news to calling him 'a very loyal and great client' who 'would always help people in need.

He was member of the wounded warriors.' 
Legend: Paulie 'Walnuts' Gualtieri was as vicious as he was paranoid, often carrying out hits on his boss' enemies and disloyal friends alike, he is seen with Imperioli on the show in an episode which aired in 2005
Many of Sirico's other The Sopranos castmates also paid tribute including Lorraine Bracco, Jamie Lynn Sigler, and Steven Van Zandt.
Bracco, who played Tony Sopranos' psychiatrist Jennifer Menfli said she 'adored' him.
She wrote: '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.'
Jamie Lynn Sigler, who played Meadow Soprano, called the actor 'the real deal.'
She said: 'Tony was the real deal in every sense of the word.

He lived many lives, but with full passion in all of them. I met him when I was 16, and he made it clear from day one that he was my forever protector, and he was. I will remember him as a tremendous talent and energy that you could never look away from. I'm so lucky to have known him.
My thoughts and prayers to all that were lucky enough to be loved by him.'
Family: Many of Sirico's other The Sopranos castmates also paid tribute including Lorraine Bracco, Jamie Lynn Sigler, and Steven Van Zandt
'A stand up guy who always had my back': Bracco, who played Tony Sopranos' psychiatrist Jennifer Menfli said she 'adored' him
'I'm so lucky to have known him': Jamie Lynn Sigler, who played Meadow Soprano, called the actor 'the real deal'
'A larger-than-life character on and off screen': Steven Van Zandt, who played Paulie Walnut's best friend Silvio Dante, called him 'legendary'
Steven Van Zandt, who played Paulie Walnut's best friend Silvio Dante, called him 'legendary'.
The actor and musician said: 'A larger-than-life character on and off screen. Gonna miss you a lot my friend.

Deepest condolences to the family.'
Sirico's character Paulie was one of the chief henchmen of series protagonist Tony Soprano who was portrayed by the late James Gandolfini. 
Paulie 'Walnuts' Gualtieri was as vicious as he was paranoid, often carrying out hits on his boss' enemies and disloyal friends alike.



Touching: pinfaves.com Many other social media users paid tribute including the official HBO Twitter account 
His loyalty to Tony — and his killing temperament — saw him rise through the ranks to become underboss of the DiMeo crime family. 
Leading actor Gandolfini died in Rome, Italy at just age 51 after a heart attack back in 2013. 
Sirico shared two SAG Awards for Drama Ensemble with the rest of the cast of the HBO series.
He starred on all six seasons of The Sopranos as it became a massive hit soon after its launch in January 1999.
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 Pastore.
Wise guys: Steven R.

Schirripa, Michael Imperioli, James Gandolfini (1961-2013), Steven Van Zandt and Tony Sirico are pictured left to right in a The Sopranos season 7 promo shot released in 2007
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.
Sirico initially tried out for the role of Junior, but was was persuaded into taking on Paulie on one condition — the character would never become a snitch.
His acting career began to gain momentum in the late 1970s and early '80s as he appeared on several series including Kojak, Police Squad!

and Miami Vice. 
His life experience also paved the way for him to star as a gangster on several projects including Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas in addition to Mob Queen, Love and Money, Fingers, The One Man Jury, Defiance and The Last Fight.
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.
Sirico is survived by his two children, Joanne Sirico Bello and Richard Sirico, along with grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews and many other relatives. 
Squad: Paulie 'Walnuts' Gualtieri was as vicious as he was paranoid, often carrying out hits on his boss' enemies and disloyal friends alike