Vincent Pastore, actor known for 'The Sopranos,' dies at 80

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Vincent Pastore, the American character actor widely recognized for mafia roles, has died at the age of 80. His manager, Bob McGowan, told The Associated Press that he learned of Pastore's death on Saturday from Vincent Curatola, his former co-star on "The Sopranos." McGowan said he had been trying to reach Pastore with a job offer at his home in City Island, New York, after several days without hearing from him. Pastore was best known for playing Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero on "The Sopranos," a role that became one of his defining performances. He had worked in film and television since the 1980s and also appeared in the 1990 movies "Goodfellas" and "Awakenings." The cause of his death has not been publicly disclosed.