BLOOMFIELD, NJ – Hey T, you got a friend coming to visit. Actor Tony Sirico, best known for his role as Paulie Walnuts on the Sopranos has died.
Sirico died Friday night at an assisted living facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He was 79 years old. Sirico was born on July 29, 1942 in New York City and was always a New York City kind of guy, growing up in Flatbush and Bensonhurst.
His roles in Hollywood consisted mostly of bad guy and mobster type characters over his career.
Sirico is survived by daughter Joanne Sirico Bello; son Richard Sirico; his brother, Robert Sirico, a priest; and other relatives.
He was originally auditioning for the role of Uncle Junior for the Sopranos but didn’t get the role. Instead, a new character was created for him.