Photo: Kevin Mazur/WireImage
Tony Sirico, known for playing Paulie “Walnuts” Gualtieri onThe Sopranos, has died. He was 79.
Sirico died Friday; his cause of death is not known.
His brother, Robert Sirico, announced the news of his death in aFacebookpost Friday. “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.”
He added, “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.”
His manager Bob McGowan tells PEOPLE in a statement, “He was a very loyal client of 25 years. He always supported charities. He was an ex army vet and member of the wounded warriors.”
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“It pains me to say that my dear friend, colleague and partner in crime, the great TONY SIRICO has passed away today,” hewrotealongside a photo of him and Sirico. “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.”
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Imperioli, who played Christopher Moltisanti, remembered sharing “a lot of laughs” with Sirico, adding, “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.”
Imperioli went on to say he “will miss” Sirico “forever,” calling him “truly irreplaceable.”
“I send love to his family, friends and his many many fans. He was beloved and will never be forgotten. Heartbroken today.#thesopranos#hbo#tonysirico#pauliewalnuts,” he conluded.
Sopranosactress Lorraine Bracco also shared heartfelt words about Sirico, along with sweet photos of them together.
“I adore Tony Sirico,” shetweeted. “A stand up guy who always had my back and who loved my children and my parents.”
Reflecting on her “lifetime of memories with Tony” fromGoodfellastoSopranos"and way beyond," Bracco shared one moment with Sirico that she’s especially fond of.
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“My God, did we have fun doing the Bensonhurt Spelling Bee (I’m still laughing). I hope he’s in heaven cracking everybody up now. Love you, my Pal… rest in peace.”
Jamie-Lynn Siglersaidshe is “so heartbroken” over the loss in a tribute message posted with photos of moments they’ve shared over the years.
" I loved you so much. I have never been able to walk into a room that you were in without you giving me an enormous hug, drenching me in your cologne, and making sure I knew any man that came near me would have to answer to you first," added Sigler, who portrayed Meadow Soprano in the series.
She praised him for being “SUCH a phenomenal actor” and “Stealing every scene you were in.”
source: people.com
