Tony Sirico
Tony Sirico | |
---|---|
Born | Genaro Anthony Sirico Jr. July 29, 1942[1] New York City, U.S. |
Died | July 8, 2022 Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S. | (aged 79)
Burial place | New York City, U.S. |
Occupation | Actor |
Years active | 1974–2022 |
Children | 2 |
Family | Robert Sirico (brother) |
Genaro Anthony Sirico Jr. (/sɪˈriːkoʊ/; July 29, 1942 – July 8, 2022)[2] was an American actor known for his portrayal of Paulie Gualtieri in The Sopranos.
Born in Brooklyn, New York City, to an Italian-American family, Sirico had a tumultuous early life marked by multiple arrests and periods of imprisonment for crimes including robbery, assault, and extortion. His interest in acting was sparked during a prison sentence, following a visit by an acting troupe of ex-convicts. Sirico's acting career began with minor roles in films such as Crazy Joe and eventually led to significant roles in movies including Goodfellas and Mighty Aphrodite, as well as appearances in 6 other Woody Allen films.
Aside from his film career, Sirico made notable contributions to television and animation, voicing characters in
Early life
Sirico was born in
Sirico was convicted of several crimes and was arrested 28 times, including for disorderly conduct, assault, and robbery, before taking up acting.[4][8] In 1967, he served time in prison for the first time as an adult.[7] 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.[9][10][11]
According to a court transcript at the time of his sentencing, Sirico also had pending charges for criminal possession of a dangerous drug.[9] Sirico stated that his prison was visited by an acting troupe composed of ex-convicts, which inspired him to give acting a try.[12] He appeared in the 1989 documentary The Big Bang by James Toback, in which he discussed his earlier life.[13]
Career
Sirico's first confirmed role in film was as an extra in the 1974 film
Sirico's most acclaimed acting job was that of
In animation, Sirico provided the voice of "Big Daddy" Fairywinkle in
In 2018, he reunited with former Sopranos actors Federico Castelluccio and Vincent Pastore in Sarah Q.[18]
Personal life
Sirico had two children, Joanne and Richard.[19] In 2008, he released a cologne called Paolo Per Uomo.[20]
Sirico died on the afternoon of July 8, 2022, at an assisted living facility in
Filmography
Film
Year | Title | Role | Note |
---|---|---|---|
1974 | Crazy Joe | Extra | [24] |
The Godfather Part II | Extra | Uncredited[3] | |
1978 | Hughes and Harlow: Angels in Hell | Frankie Rio | [3] |
Fingers | Riccamonza | [4][25] | |
The One Man Jury | Charlie "Nuts" | [26] | |
1980 | Defiance | Davey | [27] |
1981 | So Fine | Associate | [28] |
1982 | Love and Money | Raoul | [29] |
1983 | Exposed | Thief | [30] |
The Last Fight | Frankie | [4] | |
1987 | The Galucci Brothers | Galucci Brother | [31] |
The Pick-up Artist | Patsy Cabaluso | [4] | |
Hello Again | Tough Guy | [27] | |
1989 | White Hot | Luke | [32] |
Cookie | Carmine's Wiseguy | [4] | |
The Big Bang | Himself | Documentary[13] | |
1990 | Catchfire | Greek Guy | [33][30] |
Goodfellas | Tony "Stacks" | [24] | |
1991 | 29th Street | Fortunado | [14] |
1992 | Innocent Blood | Jacko | [34] |
1993 | New York Cop | Mr. C | [35] |
Romeo Is Bleeding | Malacci | [36] | |
1994 | Men Lie | Porno Witness | [37] |
Bullets Over Broadway | Rocco | [24] | |
The Search for One-eye Jimmy | "Snake" | [38] | |
1995 | Dead Presidents | Officer Spinelli | [39] |
Mighty Aphrodite | Boxing Trainer | [14] | |
Casino | Extra, Nicky's Crew: Signal Happy Gambler | [26] | |
Dearly Beloved | Mr. Bedutz | Short film[40] | |
1996 | Everyone Says I Love You | Escaped Convict | [14] |
1997 | Deconstructing Harry | Police Officer | [39] |
Cop Land | Salvatore "Toy" Torillo | [14] | |
The Deli | Tony | [14] | |
The Good Life | Junior | Never released[41] | |
1998 | Mob Queen | Joey "The Heart" Aorta | [14] |
Celebrity | Lou DeMarco | [14] | |
1999 | Mickey Blue Eyes | Risolli Guard | [42] |
2000 | It Had to Be You | Ricky Valentino | [14] |
2001 | Smokin' Stogies | Tony "Batts" | [43] |
2002 | Turn of Faith | Jimmy | [43][44] |
2008 | The Sno Cone Stand Inc | Bob Beasley | [45] |
2009 | Karma Calling | Lord Ganesh | [43][46] |
2010 | Skate | Skate | Short film[47] |
2014 | Zarra's Law | Tony Zarra | [39] |
Friends and Romans | Bobby Musso | [3] | |
Family on Board | Rocco | Short film[47] | |
2015 | Touched | Anthony | [48] |
2016 | Café Society | Vito | [27] |
2017 | Wonder Wheel | Angelo | [43] |
2018 | Sarah Q | Mr. Danny | [27] |
2022 | Respect the Jux | Bobby | Posthumous release[27][3] |
TBD | Super Athlete | Coach Lou | Completed, posthumous release[27] |
Television
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1977 | Kojak | Greek God | Episode: "Case Without a File"[43] |
1982 | Police Squad! | Poker Player | Episode: "Ring of Fear (A Dangerous Assignment)"[49] |
1989 | Miami Vice | Frank Romano | Episode: "Fruit of the Poison Tree"[35] |
Perfect Witness | Marco | Television film[28] | |
1992 | In the Shadow of a Killer | Tony Andretti | Television film[28] |
1996 | Cosby | Teddy | Episode: "Happily Ever Hilton"[50] |
Gotti | Joe Dimiglia | Television film[14] | |
1998 | Witness to the Mob | Thomas Gambino | Television film[28] |
Vig | Locasso | Television film[43] | |
1999–2007 | The Sopranos | Paul "Paulie Walnuts" Gualtieri | 74 episodes[26] |
2005 | The Fairly OddParents | Big Daddy Fairywinkle | Voice[50] Episodes: "Talking Trash" and "Big Wanda" |
2007 | Elmo's Christmas Countdown | Famous Bert | TV special[51] |
2008 | A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa | Mobster | TV special[35] |
2010 | Chuck | Matty | Episode: "Chuck Versus the Fake Name"[52] |
Medium | Big Daddy | Episode: "Bring Your Daughter to Work Day"[52] | |
2012 | Jersey Shore Shark Attack | Captain Salie | Television film[39] |
2013–2014 | Lilyhammer | Tony Tagliano | Episodes: "2.8: Ghosts" and "3.8: Loose Ends"[3] |
2013 | Nicky Deuce | Charlie Cement | Television film[27] |
2013–2016 | Family Guy | Vinny/Himself | Voice Stewie, Chris & Brian's Excellent Adventure " (live action)
|
2014 | Taxi Brooklyn | Tony | Episode: "Revenge"[52] |
2016 | The Grinder | Sebastian | Episode: "Grinder v Grinder"[52] |
2017–2019 | American Dad! | Enzo Perotti / Mobster | Voice[52] 2 episodes |
Video games
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2006
|
The Sopranos: Road to Respect | Paulie "Walnuts" Gualtieri | Voice[53] |
Awards and nominations
Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|
2000 | Screen Actors Guild Award[54]
|
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series | The Sopranos | Won |
2001 | Nominated | |||
2002 | Nominated | |||
2003 | Nominated | |||
2005 | Nominated | |||
2007 | Nominated | |||
2008 | Won[55] |
References
- ^ a b "'Sopranos' actor Tony Sirico dies at 79". NPR. July 9, 2022. Retrieved July 26, 2022.
- ^ A+E Networks. Archived from the originalon May 22, 2012. Retrieved December 16, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e f g Gates, Anita (July 8, 2022). "Tony Sirico, an Eccentric Gangster on 'The Sopranos,' Dies at 79". The New York Times. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f Goldstein, Patrick (July 15, 1990). "A Real Tough Guy: Tony Sirico's rap sheet: 28 arrests and 27 acting jobs". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
- ^ a b Encinas, Joshua (July 9, 2022). "Tony Sirico, the Brooklyn-born actor who played Paulie Walnuts on The Sopranos, has died". Brooklyn Magazine. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
- ^ "'Our Lady of Fatima' Celebrating a century of her message", Holy Family Radio. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
- ^ a b c Schudel, Matt (July 9, 2022). "Tony Sirico, 'Sopranos' actor who played Paulie Walnuts, dies at 79". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
- ^ "Artie's Goose Is Coked", New York Post, May 2, 2006
- ^ a b "From Sing Sing To Bada Bing!". thesmokinggun.com. February 25, 2001.
- ^ "'Sopranos' actor has real life mob history", UPI, March 20, 2006.
- ^ a b c "How Tony Sirico's Criminal Past Prepared Him To Play Paulie Walnuts On 'The Sopranos'". Uproxx. Christian Long. August 24, 2015. Retrieved February 23, 2018.
- ^ Rothstein, Mervyn (March–April 2001). "The Sopranos: Mob Rule – The wiseguys of HBO's The Sopranos take a shot at another season of the award-winning show". Cigar Aficionado. Retrieved June 18, 2015.
- ^ a b James, Caryn. "Reviews/Film; Life, Sex, Death and Chaos", The New York Times. May 11, 1990. Section C, p. 10. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Hamill, Denis. "From Hoodfella to Couldfella in Sopranos, Tony Sirico Hits the High Note of His Checkered Career", New York Daily News. February 7, 1999. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
- ISBN 978-1-5381-0374-6.
- ^ Family Guy's Shocking Death: Boss Reveals Why They Decided to Kill Off (Spoiler)!
- ^ Dick, Jeremy (July 9, 2022). "Tony Sirico, Paulie Walnuts on The Sopranos, Dies at 79". movieweb.com. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
- ^ "Five 'Sopranos' stars are reuniting for this brand new movie". Shortlist. Alex Finnis. January 25, 2018. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (July 8, 2022). "Tony Sirico Dies: 'The Sopranos' Star Who Played Paulie Walnuts Was 79". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 8, 2022.
- ^ "Get a whiff of new cologne, Paolo, by 'Sopranos' star Tony Sirico". nydailynews.com. November 12, 2008.
- ^ Perez, Lexy; Gajewski, Ryan (July 8, 2022). "Tony Sirico, 'The Sopranos' Actor, Dies at 79". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
- ^ Mitchell, and, Alex; Jaramillo, Valentina; Fofana, Oumou (July 13, 2022). "'Sopranos' star Tony Sirico's funeral in Brooklyn: 'Paulie Walnuts can steal heaven'". New York Post. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
- ^ "'Paulie Walnuts' Sopranos actor is laid to rest in his native Brooklyn". Brooklyn Eagle. July 13, 2022. Retrieved July 15, 2022.
- ^ a b c Hamill, Denis. "The Man Inside Paulie Walnuts: After life as a young hood, 'Sopranos' star enjoys his role as a make-believe gangster", New York Daily News. January 16, 2000. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
- ^ Garbicz, Adam (2013). Kino wehikuł magiczny – Podróż piąta: Przewodnik osiągnięć filmu fabularnego. Podróż piąta: 1974–1981 Wersja uzupełniona i skorygowana. Planet RGB Limited. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
- ^ a b c Klein, Brennan (July 9, 2022). "Sopranos Stars Pay Tribute To Paulie Actor Tony Sirico After His Death". Screenrant. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Ashton, Will (July 9, 2022). "Tony Sirico Dies at 79". Collider. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Tony Sirico". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
- ^ Canby, Vincent. "Unpredictable 'Love and Money'", The New York Times. February 12, 1982. Section C, Page 8. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
- ^ ABC-CLIO. p. 255. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
- ^ "Murió Tony Sirico, el inolvidable Paulie Gualtieri de The Sopranos". Tiempo Argentino (in Spanish). July 8, 2022. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
- ^ Del Rosario, Alexandria (July 8, 2022). "Tony Sirico, actor who played Paulie 'Walnuts' on 'The Sopranos,' dies at 79". LA Times. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
- ^ Maltin, Leonard (2012). Leonard Maltin's 2013 Movie Guide: The Modern Era. Penguin Books. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
- ^ Muir, John Kenneth (2011). Horror Films of the 1990s. McFarland & Company. p. 238. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
- ^ a b c Wilkinson, Joseph (July 8, 2022). "Tony Sirico, Paulie Walnuts on 'The Sopranos,' dead at 79". New York Daily News. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
- Hal Leonard Corporation. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
- ^ Leydon, Joe. "Men Lie", Variety. May 3, 1994. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
- ^ Wilmington, Michael. "Premise gouges humor from promising 'One-Eye Jimmy'", Chicago Tribune. July 12, 1996. Section 7, p. N.
- ^ a b c d Hamill, Denis. "No more mob for Tony Sirico; he plays cop in new flick", New York Daily News. June 12, 2012. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
- ^ Reid, Beverly M. "'Sopranos' cast flourishes with late blooming actors", NJ.com. September 5, 2002. Retrieved July 6, 2020.
- ^ "The wild, untold story of The Good Life". Little White Lies. February 11, 2017. Retrieved February 24, 2017.
- ^ Booker, M. Keith; Daraiseh, Isra (2017). Tony Soprano's America: Gangsters, Guns, and Money. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 85. Retrieved July 7, 2020.
- ^ a b c d e f "Tony Sirico List of Movies and TV Shows". TV Guide. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
- ISBN 978-1429927628.
- ^ B. Alan Orange (July 23, 2007). "Tony Sirico and Morgan Fairchild Tend to The Sno Cone Stand, Inc". MovieWeb. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
- ^ Hu, Brian (March 14, 2009). "SFIAAFF 2009: An interview with Karma Calling director Sarba Das". University of California, Los Angeles. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
- ^ a b McGuire, Keegan (April 19, 2021). "What Has Tony Sirico Been Up To Ever Since The Sopranos Ended?". Looper. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
- ^ Murray, Bill (2015). ""Touched" - a feature film about childhood sexual abuse". National Association of Adult Survivors of Child Abuse. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (July 8, 2022). "Tony Sirico Dies: 'The Sopranos' Star Who Played Paulie Walnuts Was 79". Deadline. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
- ^ a b Dick, Jeremy (July 8, 2022). "Tony Sirico, Paulie Walnuts on The Sopranos, Dies at 79". Retrieved July 9, 2022.
- ^ Sesame Street: The Bert and Ernie Christmas Special with Tony Sirico and Steve Schirripa, archived from the original on November 2, 2021, retrieved October 5, 2021
- ^ a b c d e Lexy Perez; Ryan Gajewski (July 8, 2022). "Tony Sirico, 'The Sopranos' Actor, Dies at 79". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
- ^ Bardhan, Ashley (November 21, 2021). "Happy anniversary, Tony Soprano". Destructoid. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
- ^ "SAG Awards Search". Screen Actors Guild Awards. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
- ^ Milliken, Mary (January 28, 2008). "SAG honours "Sopranos" after final TV season". Reuters. Retrieved July 9, 2022.
External links
- Tony Sirico at IMDb