David Chase leads tributes to Tony Sirico

Actor Tony Sirico, most known for playing Paulie Walnuts in The Sopranos, has passed away aged 79.

Sirico was born in New York City on July 29, 1942. After serving in the army, he had brushes with crime including serving 20 months in prison before eventually taking up acting.

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As well to The Sopranos, he has appeared in movies such as Crazy Joe, Goodfellas, Cop Land, Mickey Blue Eyes, Bullets Over Broadway, Mighty Aphrodite, Everyone Says I Love You, Deconstructing Harry, Celebrity and Wonder Wheel.

Sirico also had a short stint on Family Guy, playing the Griffin family's new dog, Vinnie.

For many, though, he will always be remembered for playing Paulie, the loyal but slightly dimwitted member of the DiMeo crime family in The Sopranos.

The show's creator, David Chase, lead the tributes to Sirico after it was confirmed he had passed away in an assisted living facility in Fort Lauderdale.

“Tony was a jewel. The way Buddhists refer to a jewel — supernatural and a master. But certainly not a Zen master," Chase said.

"He was so uproarious, so funny, so talented. I’m very happy for him that in his mid-50s and 60s he finally learned how talented and loved he was. I was just thinking about him yesterday, strangely enough, and was reminded that he was a main reason for the success of The Sopranos. I will miss him greatly, Gennaro. As will the world.”

One of the first people to break the news of his death was co-star and friend Michael Imperioli, who wrote on Instagram:

“It pains me to say that my dear friend, colleague and partner in crime, the great TONY SIRICO has passed away today. Tony was like no one else: he was as tough, as loyal and as big-hearted as anyone I’ve ever known.

“I was at his side through so much: through good times and bad. But mostly good. And we had a lot of laughs. We found a groove as Christopher and Paulie and I am proud to say I did a lot of my best and most fun work with my dear pal Tony. I will miss him forever. He is truly irreplaceable. I send love to his family, friends and his many many fans. He was beloved and will never be forgotten. Heartbroken today.”

Tony Sirico tributes

Several of Sirico's other Sopranos friends paid tribute to him.

Stevie Van Zandt, who played Silvio, Tweeted:

“RIP Tony Sirico. Legendary. Silvio’s best buddy ‘Paulie Walnuts’ in The Sopranos, Frankie ‘The Fixer’s’ older brother Antonino ‘Father Tony’ Tagliano in Lilyhammer. A larger-than-life character on and off-screen. Gonna miss you a lot my friend. Deepest condolences to the family.”

Lorraine Bracco featured alongside Sirico not only in The Sopranos, but in Goodfellas.

She Tweeted:

“A stand-up guy who always had my back and who loved my children and my parents. I have a lifetime of memories with Tony – starting with Goodfellas to The Sopranos and way beyond but my God, did we have fun doing the Bensonhurst Spelling Bee. I hope he’s in heaven cracking everybody up now. Love you, my pal.”