'Sopranos' actor Tony Sirico, known for role as Paulie Walnuts, dead at 79

Actor Tony Sirico, known for playing Peter Paul "Paulie Walnuts" Gualtieri on the Emmy-winning HBO series "The Sopranos," died Friday at 79.

Sirico's manager Bob McGowan confirmed the death to USA TODAY, saying in a statement that Sirico “was a great and loyal client, he would help anyone in need," adding that he was a "big contributor to the wounded warriors and other charities."

"It is with great sadness, but with incredible pride, love and a whole lot of fond memories, that the family of Gennaro Anthony 'Tony' Sirico wishes to inform you of his death" Friday morning, Sirico's brother, Robert Sirico, posted on Facebook. "The family is deeply grateful for the many expressions of love, prayer and condolences and requests that the public respect its privacy in this time of bereavement."

Fellow “Sopranos” co-star Michael Imperioli, who played Christopher Moltisanti, took to Instagram to express his sentiments over the loss of his friend and former colleague. 

"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," Imperioli wrote. "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."

Sirico built a reputation for playing gangsters on film and television, including in Martin Scorsese's 1990 mob masterpiece "Goodfellas." He was also a regular presence in Woody Allen films, most notably in his 1994 crime comedy "Bullets Over Broadway."

Other credits throughout his 45-year screen career includ the TV shows "Medium" and "The Grinder." He also voiced a role on multiple episodes of "Family Guy."

Upcoming projects of his, per IMdB, include "All Mobbed Up, "Street Justice" and "Super Athlete."

Sirico's "Sopranos" co-star Steven Van Zandt paid tribute to the late actor on Twitter, calling Sirico "legendary."

"A larger than life character on and off screen," he added. "Gonna miss you a lot my friend. Deepest condolences to the family."

Lorraine Bracco, who worked with Sirico on "Goodfellas," "The Sopranos" and "The Bensonhurst Spelling Bee," remembered him on Twitter as "a stand up guy who always had my back and who loved my children and parents."

"I hope he's in heaven cracking everybody up now," she added.

Chris Stein, guitarist and co-founder of the band Blondie, shared a story on Twitter about Sirico from the actor's upbringing New York.

"He was a local legend even back then," Stein wrote. "He hung around Artie's Pool Hall on Ave J. He ripped off my squad and me for 50 bucks for weed. True story. RIP"

Sirico would have turned 80 on July 29.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tony Sirico dead: 'The Sopranos' star who played Paulie Walnuts was 79