India, Aug. 2 -- Vincent Pastore, the actor who became a household name as Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero in The Sopranos, has died at the age of 80.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Pastore was found dead at his home in the Bronx on Saturday by Steve Villano, who described himself as the actor's "right-hand man."

Villano said Pastore "apparently died in his sleep." His death came decades after he built an acting career that started later than most, turning from running New York bars and nightclubs to becoming one of television's most recognizable mob characters.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Hindustan Times....