Posted on 07/08/2022 6:09:13 PM PDT by JonPreston
Tony Sirico, one of the main stars of "The Sopranos," is dead ... TMZ has confirmed.
Tony played Paulie "Walnuts" Gualtieri, one of Tony Soprano's main guys for every season of the HBO hit show. His brother Robert announced his passing on Facebook saying "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."
Sirico was a big supporter of the U.S. military -- he and James Gandolfini once traveled to Iraq for a rally for the troops there. He continued to support the Wounded Warrior Project organization too.
He's survived by his 2 children, Joanne and Richard, several grandchildren and his siblings.
Tony was 79.
(Excerpt) Read more at tmz.com ...
Oh boy, James Caan now this. Who’s next?
That’s 3
Who was one?
Talented actor. He played his part very well.
Caan, Storch, and now Sirico.
Oops, missed Storch.
Storxh doesn’t count against the 3 in this case. You have to think mob movie actors. Caan, Sirico, and whoever is next.
Wow, did not know about Storch. Did not know he was still alive, actually. 3 great actors, RIP.
Tony was perfectly cast and maybe the most believable as a mobster. RIP
He was amazing in the way he mastered that role.
Tony Blundetto: F***ing weird. My cousin in the old man's seat.
Paulie 'Walnuts' Gualtieri: It's like "Sun-Tuh-Zoo" says: a good commander is benevolent and unconcerned with fame.
Tony Blundetto: What?
Paulie 'Walnuts' Gualtieri: "Sun-Tuh-Zoo". The Chinese Prince Matchabelli. Tony turned me on to him.
Silvio Dante: Tzu, Tzu! Sun Tzu, you fucking ass-kiss!
“maybe the most believable as a mobster”
Because he practically was one.
From Wikipedia: “Sirico was convicted of several crimes and had been arrested 28 times, including for disorderly conduct, assault, and robbery, before taking up acting.[2][4] On February 27, 1970, he was arrested at a restaurant, and found with a .32 caliber revolver on his person. In 1971, he was indicted for extortion, coercion and felony weapons possession, convicted, and sentenced to four years in prison, of which he served 20 months at Sing Sing.”
Always thought it was a shame they didn’t give him a proper send off in the sopranos. Most of them got whacked in the end but they just left Paulie walnuts hanging.
That’s Why he was so Good !
Time in Sing-Sing.
RIP Walnuts.
May he rest in peace.
LOL Prince Matchabelli!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.