Tony Sirico has passed away at the age of 79, the actor is best known for his mobster roles as ‘Paulie Walnuts’ Gualtieri in HBO’s “The Sopranos”. No cause of death has been given but the actor reportedly had failing health for the past few years.
The Brooklyn-born Italian-heritage actor made numerous appearances in the films of Woody Allen like “Bullets Over Broadway,” “Everyone Says I Love You,” “Celebrity,” “Mighty Aphrodite,” “Cafe Society” and “Wonder Wheel”.
He also had roles in Scorsese’s “Goodfellas,” Mangold’s “Cop Land,” and the Hughes brothers’ “Dead Presidents” along with comedies like “Hello Again” and “Mickey Blue Eyes” along with the action film “Romeo is Bleeding”.
Continuing the sad news, Lenny von Dohlen has died at the age of 63 after a battle with a long illness. The soft-voiced but strikingly-eyed actor broke out in the lead role in the 1984 rom-com “Electric Dreams” opposite Virginia Madsen.
He went on to play his most memorable role as agoraphobic orchid grower Harold Smith in both the second season of “Twin Peaks” and its “Fire Walk with Me” prequel film. Notable film credits include “Tender Mercies,” “Home Alone 3,” “Billy Galvin,” and “Jennifer 8”.
He was a staple guest star on TV in shows including a large arc in “The Pretender” along with guest spots in “Red Dwarf,” “The Equalizer,” “Picket Fences,” “Chicago Hope,” “CSI: Miami” and “Lazarus Man”.
The news follows in the wake of several other notable TV character actors who’ve died this week including Gregory Itzin and former “F Troop” star Larry Storch – the latter making it to the considerable age of 99 before passing away in his sleep overnight.
