Vincent Pastore’s pal details late actor’s reaction to being killed off ‘Sopranos’
The late Vincent Pastore was so devastated when he was killed off “The Sopranos,” he felt like he was sleeping with the fishes.
“He was sad when he was whacked on ‘The Sopranos,’ he was really upset. In a way, it was like he died in real life,” his longtime pal Bo Dietl, 75, exclusively told Page Six.
Pastore — who died Aug. 1 at 80 — portrayed Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on the HBO hit from 1999 to 2007, appearing in 30 episodes.
However, his appearances were relegated to sporadic dreams and flashbacks after his character’s death in the Season 2 finale in April 2000.
The legendary NYPD detective-turned-private investigator, who has also been acting for more than 30 years, first worked with Pastore in Martin Scorsese’s mob masterpiece “Goodfellas” in 1990.
The two also appeared together in “Carlito’s Way” and, most recently, “Gravesend,” in 2025, which is the last time Dietl last spent time with Pastore.
Dietl described a lively dinner that also included his “Gravesend” co-star Chazz Palminteri.
“Vincent was in good spirits last time I saw him, me, him and Chaz … it was just like old times.” Dietl stated, adding that his friend seemed to be happy and doing well at the time.
“He was a great guy that everyone liked,” Dietl said before mournfully adding, “He should have been cast in a lot of other movies, he was a great actor.”
When not acting alongside real-life or fictional criminals, Dietl serves as a member of President Trump’s Homeland Security Advisory Council.
Over 100 mourners said their final goodbyes during Pastore’s funeral Thursday at the Holy Family Church in New Rochelle.
A veteran of the Vietnam War, Pastore was carried out of the church in a coffin draped with the American flag.
He is survived by one daughter, Renee Pastore, who encouraged funeralgoers “to pass on what he has given to you” through acts of kindness during her father’s eulogy.
