Tony Sirico | |
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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)
Resting place | Calvary Cemetery, 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, best 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 "The Fairly OddParents" and "Family Guy." His role in "The Sopranos" earned him acclaim. Sirico's life off-screen was marked by his service in the United States Army, and his philanthropic efforts, including USO visits to Southwest Asia. He died in 2022, aged 79.