Tony Sirico, greatest identified for his function as “Paulie Walnuts” Gualtieri on The Sopranos, has died. He was 79.

Sirico handed away Friday at an assisted dwelling facility in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., based on his supervisor of 25 years Bob McGowan. No explanation for loss of life was revealed however Sirico had been affected by dementia for the previous couple years.

“Not solely was he a loyal shopper, he was a great good friend,” McGowan informed The Hollywood Reporter.

Sirico portrayed “Paulie Walnuts” Gualtieri, a detailed confidante of James Gandolfini’s Tony Soprano, on the HBO sequence.

His Sopranos co-star Michael Imperioli paid tribute to Sirico on his Instagram writing, “It pains me to say that my pricey good friend, colleague and accomplice in crime, the nice TONY SIRICO has handed away at this time. Tony was like nobody else: he was as powerful, as loyal and as large hearted as anybody i’ve ever identified.”

He continued, “I used to be at his facet by a lot: by good occasions and unhealthy. However largely good. And we had lots of laughs. We discovered a groove as Christopher and Paulie and I’m proud to say I did lots of my greatest and most enjoyable work with my pricey pal Tony. I’ll miss him endlessly. He’s actually irreplaceable. I ship like to his household, associates and his many many followers. He was beloved and can by no means be forgotten. Heartbroken at this time.”

Born in New York Metropolis on July 29, 1942, Sirico served within the Military earlier than launching his appearing profession within the 1970s. Sirico made his appearing debut within the 1974 drama Loopy Joe starring Henry Winkler.

Sirico was additionally identified for roles in such movies as Goodfellas, Cop Land and Mickey Blue Eyes. He often collaborated with Woody Allen, having appeared within the director’s movies Bullets Over Broadway, Mighty Aphrodite, Everybody Says I Love You, Deconstructing Harry, Superstar and Surprise Wheel.

Amongst his TV work was a voice function on 5 episodes of Household Man as Vinny Griffin, who was briefly the household’s canine. Sirico additionally recurred on Netflix’s Lilyhammer and as a voice on American Dad! Different TV roles embody Miami Vice, Chuck, Medium, Taxi Brooklyn and The Grindr.

He most up-to-date work contains the movie Respect the Jux.

The Sopranos creator David Chase paid tribute to Sirico with a press release that learn, “Tony was a jewel. The best way Buddhists confer with a jewel — supernatural and a grasp. However actually not a Zen grasp. He was so uproarious, so humorous, so gifted. I’m very glad for him that in his mid-50s and 60s he lastly discovered how gifted and liked he was. I used to be simply excited about him yesterday, unusually sufficient, and was reminded that he was a fundamental motive for the success of The Sopranos. I’ll miss him significantly, Gennaro. As will the world.”

Sirico was additionally remembered by his co-stars Lorraine Bracco and Stevie Van Zandt. Sopranos and Goodfellas star Bracco tweeted, “A rise up man who all the time had my again and who liked my youngsters and my dad and mom. I’ve a lifetime of reminiscences with Tony – beginning with Goodfellas to The Sopranos and method past however my God, did we’ve got enjoyable doing the Bensonhurst Spelling Bee. I hope he’s in heaven cracking everyone up now. Love you, my pal.” Bracco additionally starred alongside Sirico in a Humorous or Die quick The Bensonhurst Spelling Bee.

Sirico’s Lilyhammer co-star Zandt wrote, “RIP Tony Sirico. Legendary. Silvio’s greatest buddy ‘Paulie Walnuts’ in The Sopranos, Frankie ‘The Fixer’s’ older brother Antonino ‘Father Tony’ Tagliano in Lilyhammer. A bigger than life character on and off display screen. Gonna miss you numerous my good friend. Deepest condolences to the household.”

In the meantime HBO described Sirico as “a large, one-of-a-kind expertise. “On The Sopranos, his legendary efficiency because the unwavering Paulie Walnuts cemented him as an icon, beloved for his one-liners and steadfast devotion. He will likely be sorely missed by the HBO household,” a assertion shared on HBO’s official Twitter account learn.

Sirico is survived by daughter Joanne, son Richard and brother Robert.

July 8, 9:18 p.m. Up to date with Chase’s assertion.