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Entertainment • Actor

Tony Sirico

Tony Sirico was an American actor best known for playing Paulie Gualtieri, also known as Paulie Walnuts, on the HBO series The Sopranos.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Tony Sirico was an American actor best known for playing Paulie Gualtieri (Paulie Walnuts) on the HBO series The Sopranos. He frequently played mobster characters in film and television, including a small role in Goodfellas. Sirico died in 2022 at the age of 79.

Early life

Tony Sirico was born Genaro Anthony Sirico Jr. in Brooklyn, New York. Published sources differ on whether his birth date was July 24 or July 29, 1942.

Acting career

Sirico built a career playing tough-guy and gangster roles in films and television. His best-known role was Paulie Gualtieri on The Sopranos, and he also appeared in Goodfellas and several Woody Allen films.

Death

Sirico died on July 8, 2022, at an assisted living facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Reports said he was 79 years old, and no specific cause of death was widely confirmed in the sources provided.

Key facts

  • Best known for portraying Paulie Gualtieri on The Sopranos.
  • Appeared in Goodfellas in a minor role.
  • Often cast as a mobster in film and television.
  • Died on July 8, 2022, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
  • Was 79 years old when he died.

Frequently asked questions

How old was Tony Sirico?
Tony Sirico was 79 years old when he died.
What happened to Tony Sirico?
He died on July 8, 2022, in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The sources provided do not give a single widely confirmed specific cause of death.
Who played Paulie Walnuts on The Sopranos?
Tony Sirico played Paulie Gualtieri, nicknamed Paulie Walnuts, on The Sopranos.
When did Tony Sirico die?
Tony Sirico died on July 8, 2022.
Was Tony Sirico in Goodfellas?
Yes. He had a small role in Goodfellas, credited as Tony 'Stacks'.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Sirico
    Supports: Birth name, acting credits, role in The Sopranos, role in Goodfellas, and death date/age.
  2. BBC News — https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-62103340
    Supports: Death at age 79, role in The Sopranos, and appearance in Goodfellas.
  3. NBC News — https://www.nbcnews.com/news/obituaries/tony-sirico-actor-known-role-paulie-sopranos-died-79-rcna37416
    Supports: Death at 79, role as Paulie in The Sopranos, and small role in Goodfellas.
  4. The New York Times — https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/08/arts/television/tony-sirico-dead.html
    Supports: Death date, age at death, and The Sopranos role.
  5. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0802831/
    Supports: Credits including The Sopranos and Goodfellas, birth date, and death date.