The Sopranos Paulie Actor Tony Sirico Dies At 79

screenrant.com:

With Hollywood already mourning one major acting legend, another star has been lost as The Sopranos' Paulie actor Tony Sirico has died at age 79. Paulie «Walnuts» Gualtieri was one of the main cast members of the acclaimed HBO crime drama and served as one of the chief soldiers of Tony Soprano's mob organization. As The Sopranos would progress, Paulie would rise through the rank to become a caporegime, better known as a capo, who leads their own crew of soldiers.

Prior to starring in The Sopranos, Sirico would make a name for himself with roles such as Martin Scorsese's classics Goodfellas and Casino, Gotti and Cop Land. Sirico was also a frequent collaborator of Woody Allen beginning in the '90s, making appearances in 1994's Bullets Over Broadway, Mighty Aphrodite, Everyone Says I Love You, Deconstructing Harry, Celebrity, Café Society and Wonder Wheel. Though having a handful of roles coming up, it appears audiences won't be getting the opportunity to see more of Sirico in the near future.

Related: The Sopranos: Why Paulie Saw The Virgin Mary (& What The Vision Means)

Deadline has brought word that The Sopranos' Paulie actor Tony Sirico has died at the age of 79. At the time of writing no cause of death was provided, but sources close to the star report that he has been in failing health for the past several years and that he passed away at an assisted living facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Sirico's family wrote about his death in the following statement:

“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."

Though he may not have scored any major awards