Real artist: Tony Sirico’s ‘The Sopranos’ co-stars remember actor

Hollywood actor Tony Sirico died at an assisted living facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Friday aged 79. 

“It is with great sadness, but with incredible pride, love and a whole lot of fond memories, that the family of Gennaro Anthony ‘Tony’ Sirico wishes to inform you of his death on the morning of July 8, 2022,” the statement posted on Facebook by his brother Robert Sirico said.

“The family is deeply grateful for the many expressions of love, prayer and condolences and requests that the public respect its privacy in this time of bereavement.”

There was no immediate information on the cause of death.

Also Read: Who was Darrell Freeman, Nashville entrepreneur dead at 57?

The actor is best known for playing ‘Paulie Walnuts’ Gualtieri on the popular show ‘The Sopranos.’

Following this death, his co-stars took to social media to pay tributes. 

“I adore Tony Sirico. 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’m still laughing. I hope he’s in heaven cracking everybody up now. Love you, my Pal…rest in peace,” Lorraine Bracco, who played Jennifer Melfi on the show, wrote on Instagram. 

Michael Imperioli wrote, “It pains me to say that my dear friend, colleague and partner in crime, the great TONY SIRICO has passed away today. 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. 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.”