Tony Sirico facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Tony Sirico
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Sirico in 2010
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| Born |
Gennaro Anthony Sirico Jr.
July 29, 1942 New York City, U.S.
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| Died | July 8, 2022 (aged 79) Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.
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| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1974–2022 |
| Children | 2 |
| Family | Robert Sirico (brother) |
Gennaro Anthony Sirico Jr. (born July 29, 1942 – died July 8, 2022) was an American actor. He was best known for playing the character Peter Paul "Paulie Walnuts" Gualtieri. This role was in the popular TV show The Sopranos. Tony Sirico also appeared in many movies directed by Woody Allen.
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Early Life and Family
Tony Sirico was born in New York City on July 29, 1942. His family had Italian roots. He grew up in Brooklyn, specifically in the East Flatbush and Bensonhurst areas. Tony had a brother named Robert Sirico. Robert is a Catholic priest.
Acting Career Highlights
Tony Sirico's first movie role was in 1974. He appeared as an extra in the film Crazy Joe. He learned acting from his coach, Michael Gazzo. Tony Sirico often played tough characters in many films. Some of these movies include Goodfellas, Mighty Aphrodite, Bullets over Broadway, and Cop Land. He also played police officers in films like Dead Presidents.
Playing Paulie Walnuts
Tony Sirico's most famous role was Paulie Gualtieri in the TV drama The Sopranos. This show won an Emmy Award. Tony first tried out for a different role, Uncle Junior. However, Dominic Chianese got that part. The show's creator, David Chase, then offered Tony the role of Paulie Gualtieri. Tony agreed to play Paulie. He had one condition: his character would always be loyal and never betray anyone.
Voice Acting and Other Roles
In 2013, Tony Sirico used his voice for a character on Family Guy. He voiced Vinny Griffin, the family's pet dog, for three episodes. Vinny temporarily replaced Brian Griffin. Brian later returned to the show. Tony Sirico also made a live-action appearance in a Family Guy episode. In this episode, he played himself. Vinny later returned for a short appearance in a later season.
In 2018, Tony Sirico worked again with actors from The Sopranos. He reunited with Federico Castelluccio and Vincent Pastore in a movie called Sarah Q.
Personal Life
Tony Sirico had two children, a daughter named Joanne and a son named Richard.
In 2008, Tony Sirico launched his own cologne. He named it Paolo Per Uomo.
Tony Sirico passed away on July 8, 2022. He was 79 years old. He died at an assisted living facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The exact cause of his death was not shared. However, he had been living with dementia for several years.
Filmography
Movies
| Year | Title | Role | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | Crazy Joe | ||
| 1978 | Hughes and Harlow: Angels in Hell | Frankie Rio | |
| Fingers | Riccamonza | ||
| The One Man Jury | Charlie Nuts | ||
| 1980 | Defiance | Davey | |
| 1981 | So Fine | Associate | |
| 1982 | Love and Money | Raoul | |
| 1983 | Exposed | Thief | |
| The Last Fight | Frankie | ||
| 1987 | The Galucci Brothers | Galucci Brother | |
| The Pick-up Artist | Patsy Cabaluso | ||
| Hello Again | Tough Guy | ||
| 1989 | White Hot | Luke | |
| Cookie | Carmine's Wiseguy | ||
| The Big Bang | Himself | Documentary | |
| 1990 | Catchfire | Greek Guy | |
| Goodfellas | Tony Stacks | ||
| 1991 | 29th Street | Fortunado | |
| 1992 | Innocent Blood | Jacko | |
| 1993 | New York Cop | Mr. C | |
| Romeo Is Bleeding | Malacci | ||
| 1994 | Men Lie | ||
| Bullets Over Broadway | Rocco | ||
| The Search for One-eye Jimmy | Snake | ||
| 1995 | Dead Presidents | Officer Spinelli | |
| Mighty Aphrodite | Boxing Trainer | ||
| Casino | Extra (Nicky's crew: signal happy gambler) | ||
| Dearly Beloved | Mr. Bedutz | Short film | |
| 1996 | Everyone Says I Love You | Escaped Convict | |
| 1997 | Deconstructing Harry | Police Officer | |
| Cop Land | Toy Torillo | ||
| The Deli | Tony | ||
| The Good Life | Junior | Never released | |
| 1998 | Mob Queen | Joey (The Heart) Aorta | |
| Celebrity | Lou DeMarco | ||
| 1999 | Mickey Blue Eyes | Risolli Guard | |
| 2000 | It Had to Be You | Ricky Valentino | |
| 2001 | Smokin' Stogies | Tony Batts | |
| 2002 | Turn of Faith | Jimmy | |
| 2008 | The Sno Cone Stand Inc | Bob Beasley | |
| 2009 | Karma Calling | G | |
| 2010 | Skate | Skate | Short film |
| 2014 | Zarra's Law | Tony Zarra | |
| Friends and Romans | Bobby Musso | ||
| Family on Board | Rocco | Short film | |
| 2015 | Touched | Anthony | |
| 2016 | Café Society | Vito | |
| 2017 | Wonder Wheel | Angelo | |
| 2018 | Sarah Q | Mr Danny | |
| TBA | Respect the Jux | Bobby | Post-production |
| Super Athlete | Coach Lou | Completed |
Television Shows
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Kojak | Greek God | Episode: "Case Without a File" |
| 1982 | Police Squad! | Poker Player | Episode: "Ring of Fear (A Dangerous Assignment)" |
| 1989 | Miami Vice | Frank Romano | Episode: "Fruit of the Poison Tree" |
| Perfect Witness | Marco | Television film | |
| 1992 | In the Shadow of a Killer | Tony Andretti | Television film |
| 1996 | Cosby | Teddy | Episode: "Happily Ever Hilton" |
| Gotti | Joe Dimiglia | Television film | |
| 1998 | Witness to the Mob | Thomas Gambino | Television film |
| Vig | Locasso | Television film | |
| 1999–2007 | The Sopranos | Paul "Paulie Walnuts" Gualtieri | 74 episodes |
| 2005 | The Fairly OddParents | Big Daddy | Voice 2 episodes |
| 2007 | Elmo’s Christmas Countdown | Famous Bert | TV special |
| 2008 | A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa | Mobster | TV special |
| 2010 | Chuck | Matty | Episode: "Chuck Versus the Fake Name" |
| Medium | Big Daddy | Episode: "Bring Your Daughter to Work Day" | |
| 2012 | Jersey Shore Shark Attack | Captain Salie | Television film |
| 2013–2014 | Lilyhammer | Tony Tagliano | Episodes: "2.8: Ghosts" and "3.8: Loose Ends" |
| 2013 | Nicky Deuce | Charlie Cement | Television film |
| 2013–2016 | Family Guy | Vinny/Himself | Voice 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" |
| 2016 | The Grinder | Sebastian | Episode: "Grinder v Grinder" |
| 2017–2019 | American Dad! | Enzo Perotti / Mobster | Voice 2 episodes |
Video Games
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 | The Sopranos: Road to Respect | Paulie "Walnuts" Gualtieri | Voice |
Awards and Nominations
Tony Sirico was recognized for his acting, especially for his work on The Sopranos. He won and was nominated for several awards with the cast of the show.
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Screen Actors Guild Award | Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series | The Sopranos | Won |
| 2001 | Nominated | |||
| 2002 | Nominated | |||
| 2003 | Nominated | |||
| 2005 | Nominated | |||
| 2007 | Nominated | |||
| 2008 | Won |
See also
In Spanish: Tony Sirico para niños
