Tony Sirico

GenaroTemplate:Refn Anthony Sirico Jr. (Template:IPAc-en Template:Respell; July 24, 1942 – July 8, 2022)Template:Refn was an American actor. Often cast as a mobster, he portrayed Paulie Gualtieri in The Sopranos.

Born in Brooklyn 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 six 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.

Early life

Sirico was born in Brooklyn, New York City,<ref name=gates/> on July 24, 1942,Template:Refn to a family of Italian descent.<ref name="A&E Networks"/> He grew up in the East Flatbush and Bensonhurst neighborhoods of Brooklyn,<ref name="Patrick Goldstein">Template:Cite news</ref> and attended Midwood High School, but did not graduate.<ref name=bkm>Template:Cite web</ref> Sirico's brother, Robert Sirico, is a Catholic priest and co-founder of the free-market Acton Institute.<ref>"'Our Lady of Fatima' Celebrating a century of her message", Holy Family Radio. Retrieved July 7, 2020.</ref> As a teenager, Sirico was shot in a dispute over a girl.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref> He subsequently served in the United States Army.<ref name=":0" />

Sirico was convicted of several crimes and was arrested 28 times, including for disorderly conduct, assault, and robbery, before taking up acting.<ref name="Patrick Goldstein" /><ref>"Artie's Goose Is Coked", New York Post, May 2, 2006</ref> In 1967, he served time in prison for the first time as an adult.<ref name=":0" /> 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.<ref name=transcript>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>"'Sopranos' actor has real life mob history", UPI, March 20, 2006.</ref><ref name=life/>

According to a court transcript at the time of his sentencing, Sirico also had pending charges for criminal possession of a dangerous drug.<ref name=transcript/> Sirico stated that his prison was visited by an acting troupe composed of ex-convicts, which inspired him to give acting a try.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> He appeared in the 1989 documentary The Big Bang by James Toback, in which he discussed his earlier life.<ref name="Caryn51190">James, Caryn. "Reviews/Film; Life, Sex, Death and Chaos", The New York Times. May 11, 1990. Section C, p. 10. Retrieved July 6, 2020.</ref>

Career

File:Dominic Chianese, Lorraine Bracco and Tony Sirico, May 2000 (2).jpg

Sirico (right) with Sopranos castmates Dominic Chianese and Lorraine Bracco in 2000.

Sirico's first confirmed role in film was as an extra in the 1974 film Crazy Joe, securing the role with the help of Richard Castellano.<ref name=life/> Michael Gazzo was Sirico's first acting coach.<ref name="Hamill2799"/> Sirico played gangsters in a number of films, and made-for-TV films, including Goodfellas, Mob Queen, Mighty Aphrodite, Love and Money, Fingers, The One Man Jury, Defiance, The Last Fight, Innocent Blood, Bullets over Broadway, The Pick-up Artist, Gotti, Witness to the Mob, The Search for One-eye Jimmy, Cop Land, Turn of Faith, Hello Again, Mickey Blue Eyes, and Wonder Wheel. He also played policemen in the films Dead Presidents and Deconstructing Harry. Sirico was a close friend of Woody Allen, and appeared in seven of his films.<ref name=bkm/>

Sirico's most acclaimed acting job was that of Paulie Gualtieri in David Chase's Emmy award-winning drama The Sopranos. He originally auditioned for the role of Uncle Junior with Frank Vincent, but Dominic Chianese landed the role. David Chase instead offered him the role of Paulie Gualtieri; Sirico agreed under the condition that his character "would not become a rat".<ref name=life>Template:Cite web</ref>

File:SopranosKuwaitUSO.jpg

Sirico (left) and James Gandolfini (right) with a member of the U.S. Air Force during a USO visit to Southwest Asia, 2010

In animation, Sirico provided the voice of "Big Daddy" Fairywinkle in The Fairly OddParents.<ref name="Perlmutter2018">Template:Cite book</ref> On Family Guy, he voiced the character of Vinny, who for three episodes in late 2013 was the family's pet dog, replacing Brian Griffin after his death; Brian would later be brought back via time travel.<ref>Family Guy's Shocking Death: Boss Reveals Why They Decided to Kill Off (Spoiler)!</ref> Sirico also made a live-action cameo in the episode "Stewie, Chris, & Brian's Excellent Adventure", where he threatens Stewie, who had insulted Italians, calling them "ridiculous people". Vinny would return in a cameo appearance at the end of the Season 15 premiere, "The Boys in the Band".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Sirico would later voice characters on Seth MacFarlane's other animated series American Dad!.<ref name=npr/>

In 2018, he reunited with former Sopranos actors Federico Castelluccio and Vincent Pastore in Sarah Q.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Personal life

Sirico had two children, Joanne and Richard.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2008, he released a cologne called Paolo Per Uomo.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Death

Sirico died on the afternoon of July 8, 2022, at an assisted living facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at the age of 79. No cause of death was given, but he had been diagnosed with dementia some years before his death.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Sirico's funeral mass was held at the Basilica of Regina Pacis, and he was interred at Calvary Cemetery in Queens, New York.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Filmography

Film

Year	Title	Role	Note
1974	Crazy Joe	Extra	<ref name="Hamill11600">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.</ref>
	The Godfather Part II	Rosato Brothers Hood	Uncredited<ref name="gates">Template:Cite web</ref>
1978	Hughes and Harlow: Angels in Hell	Frankie Rio	<ref name="gates" />
	Fingers	Riccamonza	<ref name="Patrick Goldstein"/><ref>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.</ref>
	The One Man Jury	Charlie "Nuts"	<ref name="klein">Template:Cite web</ref>
1980	Defiance	Davey	<ref name="ashton">Template:Cite web</ref>
1981	So Fine	Associate	<ref name="TCM filmog">Template:Cite web</ref>
1982	Love and Money	Raoul	<ref>Canby, Vincent. "Unpredictable 'Love and Money'", The New York Times. February 12, 1982. Section C, Page 8. Retrieved July 5, 2020.</ref>
1983	Exposed	Thief	<ref name="Gallagher">Gallagher, John A. (1989). Film Directors on Directing. ABC-CLIO. p. 255. Retrieved July 5, 2020.</ref>
	The Last Fight	Frankie	<ref name="Patrick Goldstein"/>
1987	The Galucci Brothers	Galucci Brother	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
	The Pick-up Artist	Patsy Cabaluso	<ref name="Patrick Goldstein"/>
	Hello Again	Tough Guy	<ref name="ashton" />
1989	White Hot	Luke	<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
	Cookie	Carmine's Wiseguy	<ref name="Patrick Goldstein"/>
	The Big Bang	Himself	Documentary<ref name="Caryn51190"/>
1990	Catchfire	Greek Guy	<ref>Maltin, Leonard (2012). Leonard Maltin's 2013 Movie Guide: The Modern Era. Penguin Books. Retrieved July 5, 2020.</ref><ref name="Gallagher"/>
	Goodfellas	Tony "Stacks"	<ref name="Hamill11600"/>
1991	29th Street	Fortunado	<ref name="Hamill2799">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.</ref>
1992	Innocent Blood	Jacko	<ref>Muir, John Kenneth (2011). Horror Films of the 1990s. McFarland & Company. p. 238. Retrieved July 5, 2020.</ref>
1993	New York Cop	Mr. C	<ref name="wilkinson">Template:Cite web</ref>
	Romeo Is Bleeding	Malacci	<ref>Willis, John; Monush, Barry (2000). Comprehensive Pictorial and Statistical Record of the 1994 Movie Season. Hal Leonard Corporation. Retrieved July 6, 2020.</ref>
1994	Men Lie	Porno Witness	<ref>Leydon, Joe. "Men Lie", Variety. May 3, 1994. Retrieved July 6, 2020.</ref>
	Bullets Over Broadway	Rocco	<ref name="Hamill11600"/>
	The Search for One-eye Jimmy	"Snake"	<ref>Wilmington, Michael. "Premise gouges humor from promising 'One-Eye Jimmy'", Chicago Tribune. July 12, 1996. Section 7, p. N.</ref>
1995	Dead Presidents	Officer Spinelli	<ref name="Hamill61212">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.</ref>
	Mighty Aphrodite	Boxing Trainer	<ref name="Hamill2799"/>
	Dearly Beloved	Mr. Bedutz	Short film<ref>Reid, Beverly M. "'Sopranos' cast flourishes with late blooming actors", NJ.com. September 5, 2002. Retrieved July 6, 2020.</ref>
1996	Everyone Says I Love You	Escaped Convict	<ref name="Hamill2799"/>
1997	Deconstructing Harry	Police Officer	<ref name="Hamill61212"/>
	Cop Land	Salvatore "Toy" Torillo	<ref name="Hamill2799"/>
	The Deli	Tony	<ref name="Hamill2799"/>
	The Good Life	Junior	Never released<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
1998	Mob Queen	Joey "The Heart" Aorta	<ref name="Hamill2799"/>
	Celebrity	Lou DeMarco	<ref name="Hamill2799"/>
1999	Mickey Blue Eyes	Risolli Guard	<ref>Booker, M. Keith; Daraiseh, Isra (2017). Tony Soprano's America: Gangsters, Guns, and Money. Rowman & Littlefield. p. 85. Retrieved July 7, 2020.</ref>
2000	It Had to Be You	Ricky Valentino	<ref name="Hamill2799"/>
2001	Smokin' Stogies	Tony "Batts"	<ref name="TVG filmog">Template:Cite web</ref>
2002	Turn of Faith	Jimmy	<ref name="TVG filmog" /><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
2008	The Sno Cone Stand Inc	Bob Beasley	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2009	Karma Calling	Lord Ganesh	<ref name="TVG filmog" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2010	Skate	Skate	Short film<ref name="mcguire">Template:Cite web</ref>
2014	Zarra's Law	Tony Zarra	<ref name="Hamill61212"/>
	Friends and Romans	Bobby Musso	<ref name="gates" />
	Family on Board	Rocco	Short film<ref name="mcguire" />
2015	Touched	Anthony	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2016	Café Society	Vito	<ref name="ashton" />
2017	Wonder Wheel	Angelo	<ref name="TVG filmog" />
2018	Sarah Q	Mr. Danny	<ref name="ashton" />
2022	Respect the Jux	Bobby	Posthumous release<ref name="ashton" /><ref name="gates" />
TBD	Super Athlete	Coach Lou	Completed, posthumous release<ref name="ashton" />

Television

Year	Title	Role	Notes
1977	Kojak	Greek God	Episode: "Case Without a File"<ref name="TVG filmog" />
1982	Police Squad!	Poker Player	Episode: "Ring of Fear (A Dangerous Assignment)"<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
1989	Miami Vice	Frank Romano	Episode: "Fruit of the Poison Tree"<ref name="wilkinson" />
	Perfect Witness	Marco	Television film<ref name="TCM filmog" />
1992	In the Shadow of a Killer	Tony Andretti	Television film<ref name="TCM filmog" />
1996	Cosby	Teddy	Episode: "Happily Ever Hilton"<ref name="mweb2022">Template:Cite web</ref>
	Gotti	Joe Dimiglia	Television film<ref name="Hamill2799"/>
1998	Witness to the Mob	Thomas Gambino	Television film<ref name="TCM filmog" />
	Vig	Locasso	Television film<ref name="TVG filmog" />
1999–2007	The Sopranos	Paul "Paulie Walnuts" Gualtieri	74 episodes<ref name="klein" />
2005	The Fairly OddParents	Big Daddy Fairywinkle	Voice<ref name="mweb2022" /> Episodes: "Talking Trash" and "Big Wanda"
2007	Elmo's Christmas Countdown	Famous Bert	TV special<ref>Template:CitationTemplate:Cbignore</ref>
2008	A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa	Mobster	TV special<ref name="wilkinson" />
2010	Chuck	Matty	Episode: "Chuck Versus the Fake Name"<ref name="hrep">Template:Cite web</ref>
	Medium	Big Daddy	Episode: "Bring Your Daughter to Work Day"<ref name="hrep" />
2012	Jersey Shore Shark Attack	Captain Salie	Television film<ref name="Hamill61212"/>
2013–2014	Lilyhammer	Tony Tagliano	Episodes: "2.8: Ghosts" and "3.8: Loose Ends"<ref name="gates" />
2013	Nicky Deuce	Charlie Cement	Television film<ref name="ashton" />
2013–2016	Family Guy	Vinny/Himself	Voice<ref name="gates" /><ref name="ashton" /> Episodes: "Life of Brian", "Into Harmony's Way", "Christmas Guy", "The Boys in the Band", and "Stewie, Chris & Brian's Excellent Adventure" (live action)
2014	Taxi Brooklyn	Tony	Episode: "Revenge"<ref name="hrep" />
2016	The Grinder	Sebastian	Episode: "Grinder v Grinder"<ref name="hrep" />
2017–2019	American Dad!	Enzo Perotti / Mobster	Voice<ref name="hrep" /> 2 episodes

Music videos

Year	Song	Artist
1998	"Slang Editorial"	Cappadonna

Video games

Year	Title	Role	Notes
2006	The Sopranos: Road to Respect	Paulie "Walnuts" Gualtieri	Voice<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Awards and nominations

Year	Award	Category	Nominated work	Result
2000	Screen Actors Guild Award<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series	The Sopranos	Template:Won
2001				Template:Nom
2002				Template:Nom
2003				Template:Nom
2005				Template:Nom
2007				Template:Nom
2008				Template:Won<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

External links

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