Hollywood lost a true original with the passing of Vincent Pastore over the weekend at age 80. Vincent was a brilliant actor and a deeply kind man who showed up for his friends, leaving behind a legacy that bridges mainstream cinema, a genre-changing premium cable show, and independent film. I wanted to share some memories and a tribute to my friend, Vinnie.
Sharing The Screen In Who’s Jenna
I’ve worked with a lot of people over the decades. Some are fantastic people, and some are… less so. Vinnie was one of the all-time greats. He’ll likely be best remembered as Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on The Sopranos, but his career spanned decades. genres and many memorable roles.
We worked together on the indie comedy Who’s Jenna…?, released by Lionsgate and Indican Pictures back in 2018. The film had a wild premise about a guy whose girlfriend looks exactly like a famous adult film star. I made a special appearance in it. Vinnie played Thomas Roma.
He brought that classic, heavy-hitting presence to the set. You couldn’t ignore him when he walked into a room. He didn’t demand attention, he just had it. We had a cavalcade of talented stars on that project, including his Sopranos castmates and his own brother Garry. Vinnie treated everyone with respect. He didn’t act like he was above the material or the people around him. He was a professional. He knew his lines. He hit his marks. He made everyone’s work better.
Most guys with his resume would mail it in for a small indie comedy. He didn’t. He brought the same energy to Who’s Jenna…? that he brought to HBO.
Hanging Out At The Chiller Theatre Expo
Promoting a film can be a grind. You sit at tables. You sign things. You smile until your face hurts. But doing it with Vinnie was a blast. We all hung out at the Chiller Theatre Expo in Parsippany, New Jersey, to promote the movie.
The fans loved him. They lined up just to hear his voice – and he had time for everyone. He didn’t rush people through the line. He listened to their stories, signed their photos, and made them feel seen. It’s a rare quality in this business. Most celebrities want to get in, get their money, and get out. Vinnie genuinely seemed to enjoy the interaction.
We shared a lot of laughs that weekend. He had a great sense of humor. Dry. Quick. He didn’t take himself too seriously. I’ve been doing conventions and expos for a long time. You learn quickly who the real ones are. He didn’t have a fake persona for the public and what you saw was truly what you got.
The Rock-n-Sexxxy Uncensored Show
He was always willing to help a friend – that’s something I’ll remember most about him. He appeared on my Rock-n-Sexxxy Uncensored show twice. The first time was a planned interview. We talked about his career, his life, and the crazy world of entertainment. He was open and honest.
The second time was different. I had a guest cancel at the last minute which is a host’s worst nightmare. I called Vinnie and asked if he could fill in. He didn’t hesitate and gladly stepped up as a favor to me. He saved the show that day.
He didn’t ask for anything in return, he just did it because we were friends. That’s the kind of guy he was. He showed up when it mattered, he didn’t make a big deal out of it. He just did what he felt was the right thing.
A Truly Down To Earth Original
It’s easy to get caught up in the Hollywood machine. Vinnie never did. He was just a down to earth guy from the Bronx. He fought in Vietnam, he drove a limo, and knew what it meant to work for a living.
He brought that blue-collar work ethic to his acting. He didn’t complain or make demands – he did the job. He was a loyal friend. He was a talented artist. He was a good man. I really appreciated knowing him and the industry is poorer without him.
We lose too many good people too soon. Vinnie was one of the best. He didn’t just play tough guys on screen. He was a tough guy with a massive heart in real life. I’m grateful for the time we spent together. I’m grateful for the laughs. I’m grateful for the favors he did for me without ever asking for a receipt. He was a class act from start to finish. We won’t see another one like him anytime soon.
Rest in peace, Vinnie. May your memory be a blessing to your family and everyone who loved you. You will be missed.