Tony Sirico

Genaro Anthony Sirico Jr. ( ; July 24, 1942 – July 8, 2022) (July 29, 1942, is a birth date commonly cited.) and attended Midwood High School, but did not graduate. Sirico's brother, Robert Sirico, is a Catholic priest and co-founder of the free-market Acton Institute. As a teenager, Sirico was shot in a dispute over a girl. He subsequently served in the United States Army. In 1967, he served time in prison for the first time as an adult. He appeared in the 1989 documentary The Big Bang by James Toback, in which he discussed his earlier life.

Career Sirico (right) with Sopranos castmates Dominic Chianese and Lorraine Bracco in 2000. Sirico's first confirmed role in film was as an extra in the 1974 film Crazy Joe, securing the role with the help of Richard Castellano. Sirico (left) and James Gandolfini (right) with a member of the U.S. Air Force during a USO visit to Kuwait, 2010

In animation, Sirico provided the voice of "Big Daddy" Fairywinkle in The Fairly OddParents. On Family Guy, he voiced the character of Vinny, who for three episodes in late 2013 was the family's pet dog, replacing Brian Griffin after his death; Brian would later be brought back via time travel. Sirico also made a live-action cameo in the episode "Stewie, Chris, & Brian's Excellent Adventure", where he threatens Stewie, who had insulted Italians, calling them "ridiculous people". Vinny would return in a cameo appearance at the end of the Season 15 premiere, "The Boys in the Band". Sirico would later voice characters on Seth MacFarlane's other animated series American Dad!.

Personal life Sirico had two children, Joanne and Richard. In 2008, he released a cologne called Paolo Per Uomo.

Death

Sirico died on the afternoon of July 8, 2022, at an assisted living facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, at the age of 79. No cause of death was given, but he had been diagnosed with dementia some years before his death. Sirico's funeral mass was held at the Basilica of Regina Pacis, and he was interred at Calvary Cemetery in Queens, New York.

Filmography Film Year Title Role Note 1974 Crazy Joe Extra The Godfather Part II Rosato Brothers Hood Uncredited 1978 Hughes and Harlow: Angels in Hell Frankie Rio The One Man Jury Charlie "Nuts" 1980 Defiance Davey 1981 So Fine Associate 1982 Love and Money Raoul 1983 Exposed Thief The Last Fight Frankie The Pick-up Artist Patsy Cabaluso Cookie Carmine's Wiseguy 1992 Innocent Blood Jacko 1993 New York Cop Mr. C Romeo Is Bleeding Malacci 1994 Men Lie Porno Witness Bullets Over Broadway Rocco 1995 Dead Presidents Officer Spinelli Mighty Aphrodite Boxing Trainer 1996 Everyone Says I Love You Escaped Convict 1998 Mob Queen Joey "The Heart" Aorta 2000 It Had to Be You Ricky Valentino 2002 Turn of Faith Jimmy 2008 The Sno Cone Stand Inc Bob Beasley 2009 Karma Calling Lord Ganesh 2010 Skate Skate Short film 2014 Zarra's Law Tony Zarra 2016 Café Society Vito 1989 Miami Vice Frank Romano Episode: "Fruit of the Poison Tree" Gotti Joe Dimiglia Television film 2008 A Muppets Christmas: Letters to Santa Mobster TV special Medium Big Daddy Episode: "Bring Your Daughter to Work Day"

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work Result 2000 Screen Actors Guild Award Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series The Sopranos 2001 2002 2003 2005 2007 2008