Vincent Pastore

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Vincent Pastore
Pastore in 2017
Born (1946-07-14) July 14, 1946 (age 77)
OccupationActor
Years active1988–present
SpouseNancy Berke (divorced)
Children1

Vincent Pastore (/pæˈstɔːr/; born July 14, 1946) is an American actor. Often cast as a mafioso, he is best known for his portrayal of Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero on the HBO series The Sopranos.

Early life[edit]

Pastore was born on July 14, 1946, to an Italian-American family in the Bronx, New York City, and grew up in New Rochelle, New York. Following his graduation from high school, he enlisted as a sailor in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War and then attended Pace University for three years, before eventually going into the acting industry after befriending Matt Dillon and Kevin Dillon. On June 3, 2015, during an appearance on Good Day New York, Pastore said he was in the club business for close to 30 years, and got into acting in his forties.

Career[edit]

Acting[edit]

Pastore has made a career of portraying Italian-American gangsters in film and television. He began with small parts in the 1990s, in films such as Goodfellas and Carlito's Way. In Goodfellas, he is briefly seen rolling a coat rack through the kitchen of The Bamboo Lounge and is credited as "Vinny Pastore" playing "Man with Coat Rack". In Carlito's Way, he portrays one of the friends of the Italian man that dances with Gail, whom Kleinfeld insults. He is listed in the credits as "Vinny Pastore" playing "Copa Wiseguy."

Pastore got a bigger role in the comedy/crime film The Jerky Boys: The Movie (1995) as Tony Scarboni, one of the three gangsters and Lazarro's (played by Alan Arkin) clients. In the 1996 HBO television movie Gotti, Pastore played the character of Angelo Ruggiero, alongside future Sopranos cast members Tony Sirico, Frank Vincent and Dominic Chianese.

In 1999, Pastore got his biggest role in The Sopranos, where he played the character Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero.

In addition to The Sopranos, he has appeared in Mickey Blue Eyes, Flodders in America, Two Family House (with The Sopranos cast mates Michael Rispoli, Kathrine Narducci, Matt Servitto, Michele Santopietro and Sharon Angela), Under Hellgate Bridge, Riding in Cars with Boys, Witness to the Mob, Deuces Wild, Made, Mafia!, The Hurricane, Serving Sara, American Cousins, A Tale of Two Pizzas, This Thing of Ours, Remedy, Shark Tale, Bachelor Party Vegas, The Family, Once Upon a Time in Brooklyn, Money Train, A Brooklyn State of Mind, The Deli,[1] The Last Don II, Johnny Slade's Greatest Hits and Guy Ritchie's Revolver. He served as associate producer of the film Doughboys. He also appeared in a Cyberchase for Real segment as the owner of a comedy and magic club.

Pastore's other television credits include Grounded for Life, character Vinnie Fellachio in Son of the Beach, Law & Order (various roles from 1992 to 1996), the soap opera One Life to Live, host of Repo-Men/Stealing for a Living, Ed, Queens Supreme, Vegas, Everybody Hates Chris, The Making of the Mob: New York, Blue Bloods, The Making of the Mob: Chicago, and an uncredited voice role in the television program Aqua Teen Hunger Force as Terry.

In 2007, Pastore starred in the independent feature film P.J.: A Journey of the Heart.[2] In 2008, he joined the cast of General Hospital as Maximus Giambetti, father of two characters on the show. He once again plays a mobster. He had roles in 2008's College Road Trip and Our Last Days As Children. He also starred in the 2008 film Dough Boys.

In 2009, Pastore starred in Pavaline Studio's debut short film, Alienated. In 2010, he starred in the award-winning indie mob-comedy Pizza With Bullets. Pastore played Mayor Avenoso in the 2012 indie feature Surviving Family. He appears in the 2013 film I'm in Love with a Church Girl.

In 2014, he appeared in the Broadway musical Bullets Over Broadway as Nick Valenti.[3]

Reality shows[edit]

Pastore at the 2013 Wizard World New York Experience

Pastore lost 29 lbs on the fourth season of the VH1 reality show Celebrity Fit Club which ran from August 6 to October 1, 2006.

On February 20, 2007, ABC announced that Pastore would participate in the fourth season of the American version of the competitive dance series Dancing with the Stars.[4] He withdrew from the competition after only one week. Pastore said that he found the necessary training and preparation too physically demanding. John Ratzenberger took his place in the competition.[5]

Pastore was featured as a contestant on the January 2008 edition of Celebrity Apprentice. In the second week, he participated in raising $52,286 by selling hot dogs on a Manhattan street for The Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Research.[6] In a task of selling Broadway show tickets, with Pastore as project manager, he led his team to raise $33,300 for charity. In the fifth week, he got into a faked, blow-out conflict with the project manager of the task, Piers Morgan, in order to see if he could get the women to let him on their team to spy on them. The episode had played out like an episode of The Sopranos with Pastore switching allegiances multiple times.

Pastore was deliberately "ratted out" to the women by Morgan in the end, to make Pastore look bad to the women. While Pastore and the men then lost their task, before Trump even lifted a finger to fire anyone that week, Pastore resigned from the show and Trump eventually accepted Pastore's resignation after trying to convince him to stay. The show ended with a sequence based on the series finale of The Sopranos, ending abruptly before Pastore could give the customary end-of-show interview in the cab. Week 6 episode begins with Pastore meeting his ex-wife Nancy in a restaurant and presenting her the check he received for being project manager for $50,000, in memory of her husband, Mitchell Burke's memorial fund with the Lustgarden Foundation.

On July 1, 2008, Pastore appeared on NBC's new show, Celebrity Family Feud, as part of a family team trying to win $50,000 for their favorite charity.[7] He first competed, with his friends and family, against the cast of The Girls Next Door. Then Pastore's team made it to the finals against Kathie Lee Gifford's family, but did not win. However, Pastore and his team picked up a $10,000 consolation prize for their charity, which is researching a cure for pancreatic cancer.

On April 8, 2011, Pastore and a business partner appeared on Shark Tank for an investment in "Broccoli Wad", a product that holds money. All the "Sharks" wanted out, and Barbara Corcoran said that "this is one of the dumbest things I've ever seen on this show". She later had the idea of putting Pastore's face and name on the box, and labeling it "Vinnie's Wad". She offered $50,000 for a 40% stake in the company, and would give half of her ownership to Pastore in exchange for his name and face on the packaging; Pastore and his partner agreed.[8] A year later, Pastore made an appearance on an episode of truTV's World's Smartest Inventions after his commercial for "The Broccoli Wad" aired on the show.

As of July 10, 2011 he appeared on the VH1 Marc Cronin-produced reality show Famous Food. In the show, contestants are assigned the task of opening a restaurant on the Sunset Strip.

He appeared with Joseph R. Gannascoli on Gordon Ramsay's 24 Hours to Hell and Back on January 21, 2020.[9]

Radio and podcast[edit]

Pastore previously hosted The Wiseguy Show on Sirius Satellite Radio on the now defunct Raw Dog channel 104. Described as a "weekly three-hour celebration of Italian-American culture." Produced by Sopranos co-star Steven Van Zandt, it currently airs on Wednesdays from 6pm-9pm ET.[10] He has also had stints as a radio host on the New Rochelle, New York station WVOX in 2004 and 2012, with guest appearances in-between.

In September 2020, Pastore started a podcast with Goumba Johnny called Fuhgeddaboudit with Vinny Pastore.[11]

Vincent Pastore's Italian Sauce[edit]

In 2019, Pastore launched a tomato sauce business under the name of Vincent Pastore's Italian Sauce. The sauce is made with San Marzano tomatoes, is non-GMO and has no added sugar.[12]

Personal life[edit]

Pastore is divorced. He was previously married to Nancy Berke with whom he has a daughter, Renee. He befriended Berke's subsequent husband and donated the winnings from his stint on The Apprentice to a charity in his name. He currently lives on City Island.[13] In 2014, Pastore was diagnosed with prostate cancer.[3]

Filmography[edit]

Film[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1988 Black Roses Tony's Dad
1989 True Love Angelo
1990 Q & A Man Sitting at Bar
Tales from the Darkside: The Movie Man in Art Gallery
Backstreet Dreams Fat Tony
State of Grace Borelli's Man
Goodfellas Man with Coatrack
Men of Respect Sammy
Street Hunter Romano Guard Outside Coffin Factory
Awakenings Ward #5 Patient #6
1992 The Bet Nino Short
Flodders in America Man without Petrol
1993 Who's the Man? Tony 'Clams' Como
Taking the Heat Tommy's Man on Courthouse Steps TV movie
Manhattan Murder Mystery Man in Restaurant
The Dutch Master Teresa's Father Short
Carlito's Way Copa Wiseguy
1994 Minges Alley Bodyguard
The Ref State Trooper
Soup & the Dead Father Short
Hand Gun Earls Man Harry
It Could Happen to You Bowling Team Member #1
Who Do I Gotta Kill? Aldo "Birdman" Badamo
1995 The Basketball Diaries Construction Worker
The Jerky Boys: The Movie Tony Scarboni
Mott Street Mott Street Boss Short
Italian Movie Vinny
No Exit Tony Landano
Money Train Gambler
Pictures of Baby Jane Doe Dan
1996 Walking and Talking Laura's Devil-Seeing Patient
Sunset Park Charlie the Super
Joe's Apartment Apartment Broker #2
Gotti Angelo Ruggiero TV movie
Night Falls on Manhattan Cop #3
West New York Carmine Ferraro
1997 All Over Me Don
The Deli Lou [1]
Six Ways to Sunday Uncle Max
1998 A Brooklyn State of Mind Vinnie "D"
Witness to the Mob Mikey De Batt TV movie
Mafia! Gorgoni
1999 Mickey Blue Eyes Al
Under Hellgate Bridge Mitch
The Hurricane Alfred Bello
A Slight Case of Murder Cabby TV movie
18 Shades of Dust Matty 'The Horse' Brancato
2000 Blue Moon Joey
Two Family House Angelo
The Rochester Method Vinnie Short
Growing Down in Brooklyn Sal
2001 The Rules (For Men) Attorney
Made Jimmy
Corky Romano Tony
Riding in Cars with Boys Uncle Lou
2002 This Thing of Ours Skippy
Deuces Wild Father Aldo
Serving Sara Tony
2003 American Cousins Tony
A Tale of Two Pizzas Vito Rossi
Mail Order Bride Tootie
2004 The Cookout Poo Salesman
Shark Tale Luca (voice)
2005 Remedy Casper Black
Johnny Slade's Greatest Hits Vic
Revolver Zach
2006 Bachelor Party Vegas Carmine/Mr. Kidd Video
Last Request Father Patton
2007 Slice Carmine Leone Short
7-10 Split Tony P.
Lucky Man - Short
2008 P.J. Burt
College Road Trip Freddy
Looking for Palladin Arnie
Dough Boys Mr. Conti
The Devil's Dominoes Big John Calabrese
Return to Sleepaway Camp Frank Video
Tricks of Love Harry
2009 Split Ends Tiny Provenzano
Street Boss Frank 'The Shank'
Oy Vey! My Son Is Gay!! Carmine Ferraro
Alienated Gino Short
2010 Pizza with Bullets Don Vito Perspirino
The Word Is Love Carmine Ferraro Short
Code Blue Coach/Sergeant
2011 Joshua Tree Sal
The Briefcase -
Run Your Mouth Boss Short
Spy Dante LeClair
2012 Off Limits Saverio Short
Surviving Family Mayor Avenoso
The Woods Lieutenant Madden
Saved by the Pole Crime Boss Louie Short
2013 Day of Redemption Sal
Once Upon a Time in Brooklyn Luigi Leone
The Family Fat Willy
Torture Chamber Dr. Fiore
I'm in Love with a Church Girl Nick Halston
Hypothetically Gene Short
2014 Tumbleweed: A True Story Erik Rydell
2015 Thinking with Richard Balls
Staten Island Summer Leo Manicucci
Red Herring Saffiote
2016 The Eyes Harry
Oiled Up Detective James Short
Calico Skies Vincenzo
Pasquale's Magic Veal Chef Pasquale Short
2017 Pitching Tents Tony
The Uncle Gerry Show Donnie Zizzo TV movie
Good n Screwed Marco Monte TV movie
Blood Circus Rocco
The Kids Menu Pete Short
The Fifth Borough Angelo Battaglia Short
2018 Who's Jenna...? Thomas Roma
Papa Frankie Vincent
Bully Frankie
Honor Amongst Men FBI Agent Surveillance
Black Wake Dr. Jones
St. Joseph Vincent Pastore Short
Sarah Q Mr. Tommy
Against All Odds -
Sodfather Spagatoni Godfather Spagatoni
2019 Clinton Road Club Owner
Vault Frank
Bottom of the 9th Cosmo
Bad Art Papi
Awakening Arlene Ed Short
Duped Rocco Short
2020 For NYC Himself Short
Booze, Broads and Blackjack Vinny Bombayo
2021 Made in Chinatown Amadore Condimento
The Birthday Cake Vito
2023 Spinning Gold Big Joey

Television[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1990 H.E.L.P. Fireman Episode: "Fire Down Below"
1992 Law & Order Dominick Episode: "Wedding Bliss"
1993 The Adventures of Pete & Pete Vincent Park - Bowling Agent Episode: "New Year's Pete"
1994 Law & Order Jack Episode: "Big Bang"
New York Undercover Goon #1 Episode: "Garbage"
1995 Law & Order John Furini Episode: "House Counsel"
1996 Law & Order Jimmy Pogosian Episode: "Deadbeat"
1997 The Last Don Danny Fuberta Episode: "Part II"
Dellaventura Mickey Ezra Episode: "With a Vengence"
1999–07 The Sopranos Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero Main Cast: Seasons 1 & 2, Recurring: Season 3, Guest: Seasons 5 & 6
2000 Hollywood Squares Himself/Panelist Recurring Panelist
Bull Len Rutigliano Recurring Cast
2000–02 Son of the Beach Vinnie Fellachio Guest Cast: Season 1-3
2001 For Your Love Norm Episode: "The Not-So-Hostile Takeover"
Emeril Himself Episode: "The Sopranos Come to Dinner"
2002 Ed Ralph Pazzuti III Episode: "Two Days of Freedom"
Grounded for Life Uncle Sal Episode: "We Are Family"
2003 Comedy Central Roast Himself Episode: "Comedy Central Roast of Denis Leary"
Queens Supreme Norm Delgado Recurring Cast
Less than Perfect Bookie Episode: "Save the Squirrel, But Bet the Over/Under"
2004 Fillmore! Mr. Casteneda (voice) Episode: "Code Name: Electric Haircut"
The Practice Lenny Pescatore Recurring Cast: Season 8
2006 Las Vegas Jimmy 'The Chin' Aversano Episode: "Meatball Montecito"
2007 Everybody Hates Chris Paulie Episode: "Everybody Hates Gambling"
Mad TV Himself Episode: "Episode #12.18"
2008 General Hospital Maximus Giambetti Regular Cast
2008–12 Aqua Teen Hunger Force Terry (voice) Guest Cast: Season 5-6 & 9
2010–12 Pair of Kings Yamakoshi (voice) Recurring Cast
2012 Sherman's in Sanity - Episode: "Part I & II"
2013 Blue Bloods Richie Tomlin Episode: "Inside Jobs"
2017 Animals Big Pussy (voice) Episode: "Cats Part I & II"
2018 Hawaii Five-0 Uncle Vito Recurring Cast: Season 8
The Neighborhood Rinaldo Episode: "The Mezuzah"
2019 Wu-Tang: An American Saga Fat Larry Recurring Cast: Season 1
2020 Chase Street Sal Rindini Recurring Cast
2021 Gravesend Donnie 'Glasses' Sisto Recurring Cast: Season 2
2024 The Curse Himself Episode: "Green Queen"

Additional Voice Acting[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
2006 The Sopranos: Road to Respect Sal 'Big Pussy' Bonpensiero (voice) Video game
2021 Around the Sun Bob (voice) Audio Drama

Music Videos[edit]

Year Artist Song Notes
2001 Dave Matthews Band "Everyday" Himself

Awards and nominations[edit]

Year Awards Category Recipient Outcome
2000 Screen Actors Guild Awards Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series "The Sopranos" Won
2001 Nominated

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b The Deli at IMDb Edit this at Wikidata
  2. ^ "P.J.: A Journey of the Heart". Official Website. Archived from the original on November 28, 2018.
  3. ^ a b "Hamill: 'Sopranos' alum Vinny Pastore won't let cancer keep him from 'Bullets Over Broadway'". New York Daily News. July 6, 2014.
  4. ^ "Meet the New Cast of 'Dancing With the Stars". ABC. February 20, 2007.
  5. ^ "John Ratzenberger Joins Cast of 'Dancing with the Stars'". ABC News. March 2, 2006.
  6. ^ "Pastore wins $50,000 on 'Apprentice'". UPI.
  7. ^ Patterson, Troy (July 2, 2008). "Celebrity Circus, Celebrity Family Feud, Wipeout, and other summer shows reviewed". Slate Magazine.
  8. ^ ""Sopranos" star Vincent Pastore endorses rubber band". HollywoodNews.com. April 9, 2011. Retrieved March 29, 2022.
  9. ^ Joseph Rejent (January 8, 2020). "Gordon Ramsay's 24 Hours to Hell and Back free live stream: How to watch online without cable". NJ.
  10. ^ "SIRIUS Satellite Radio Launches The Wiseguy Show, A Celebration Of Italian-American Culture" (Press release). Sirius. March 23, 2004. Archived from the original on December 8, 2008.
  11. ^ "Fuhgeddaboudit with Vinny Pastore". Apple Podcasts. July 6, 2021.
  12. ^ "'Sopranos' star Vincent Pastore set to launch new tomato sauce at A&S in Merrick". Long Island Herald. October 10, 2019.
  13. ^ Kappstatter, Bob. "Bronx spotlight on Vincent Pastore", Daily News, New York. January 22, 2008. Accessed March 29, 2022. "Vincent Pastore does not sleep with the fishes. He does, however, live close to them, on City Island."

External links[edit]