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After The Sopranos ended in 2007, he appeared in a number of short films. I knew I wasnt bad-looking. As a threat to nightclub owner John Addison for not giving him the respect he felt he deserved, Sirico allegedly told him that Bobby Wood once showed him a similar disrespect, "and you saw what happened to him.". Genaro Anthony Sirico Jr., better known as Tony Sirico, was born in Midwood, Brooklyn, New York, on July 29, 1942, within an Italian family. Randy Chrisley Is Todd Chrisley's Brother Who Was Diagnosed with Cancer in 2014, Johnny Depp's Weight Gain & Changes in Appearance over the Years, 'Whos the Boss? Family Guy's Shocking Death: Boss Reveals Why They Decided to Kill Off (Spoiler)! where we can spot him next. Last modified on Wed 3 Nov 2021 10.39 EDT. "The first time I went away to prison, they searched me to see if I had a gun and I had three of 'em on me. The couple, however, has two children, Joeanna and Richard Sirico. But was it purely fiction? No cause of death was given, but he had been diagnosed with dementia some years before his death. He cooks too because I'm incapacitated. The actor began his career in the 70s and has worked on more than 40 films and almost 20 television shows. I love him. "Tony Sirico, Paulie Walnuts on The Sopranos, Dies at 79", "Five 'Sopranos' stars are reuniting for this brand new movie", "Tony Sirico Dies: 'The Sopranos' Star Who Played Paulie Walnuts Was 79", "Sopranos made mob scene FBI spotted actors at '99 Colombo fete", "Get a whiff of new cologne, Paolo, by 'Sopranos' star Tony Sirico", "Tony Sirico, 'The Sopranos' Actor, Dies at 79", The Man Inside Paulie Walnuts: After life as a young hood, 'Sopranos' star enjoys his role as a make-believe gangster, Kino wehiku magiczny Podr pita: Przewodnik osigni filmu fabularnego. While Tony Sirico's former life of crime has certainly informed his career as an actor, it was actually because of crime that he became an actor at all. It just hit me. Type above and press Enter to search. So instead of running away, I start running toward their car! Before The Sopranos,Sirico made a name for himself on the big screen starring in other mob flicks, includingGoodfellas, Bullets Over Broadway,andGotti. Then you die' - they obliged. The narrative described how Sirico, who was under investigation for some time, was followed by police after leaving the Together Discotheque. Tony Sirico, who played Peter Paul "Paulie Walnuts" Gualtieri in The Sopranos, died today, his family announced. As of November 2020, Tonys wealth is estimated at $10 million. I absolutely love the way he says this, genuine panic and a sense that he really wants to convey that they had no idea about the ramifications of this [5] Sirico's brother, Robert Sirico, is a Catholic priest and co-founder of the free-market Acton Institute. I know hes an old guy, but I hope hes doing okay. "I was a pistol-packing guy," Sirico told the Los Angeles Times. Sirico went on to be arrested, but the woman who he hasnt named - abandoned him. It was gone, it was all over. Sources connected to the family tell us Tony had been living in an assisted living home in Fort Lauderdale, FL for a couple years, and had been in. "The first thing Tony Sirico ever said to me literally on day one was, Youre the new writer? Sopranos actor Tony Sirico has died aged 79, but the star certainly lived life to the full, getting caught up in incidents not too similar to his iconic character Paulie 'Walnuts' Gualtieri By Amber Hicks 09:15, 9 JUL 2022 Showbiz Video Loading The Sopranos: James Gandolfini stars in season six trailer What you see is really him he just adds a little pepper, a little cayenne, to spice it up. He had one rule about his acting gigs he never played "rats. Towards the end of The Sopranos, the star was reported to be making $150,000 per episode. To wind Sirico up, the crew used to create fake scripts pretending Paulie was going to die. . He was abrasive and lucky not to have been killed by mob boss Tony Soprano, played by the legendary James Gandolfini, who came very close to bludgeoning him to death on a boat. 2023 EHM PRODUCTIONS,INC. "An Irish guy shot me on the church steps of St. Brendan's Cathedral. Tony Sirico, the actor who played Peter Paul "Paulie Walnuts" Gualtieri, didn't have to look too far to find inspiration for his character. Like many established movie stars, the celebrity is quite well off. "I worked hard. Before he went by Tony, he was Junior Sirico and he was this scary mob guy," he said. He was 79. He was first arrested aged seven for stealing nickels from a newspaper stand. When serving time during his longest prison term, Sirico was met with a chance visit. Fans would follow him to get an autograph, parking wardens would rip up tickets when they realised it was his car, and hed get numerous freebies. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. Tony was also once shot in a new white suit after being caught kissing another mans woman outside a church when the pair were spotted by a rival group. He played gangsters in more than a dozen other mob movies, including Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas. *Keep in mind this is not the Paulie Walnuts from 30 years ago. Over time, Sirico figured out exactly who he was. Get TMZ breaking news sent right to your browser. He memorably portrayed Paulie "Walnuts" Gualtieri, a fictional mobster playing a key role in . "All I could think of was how they ruined my suit," he said. As a result, he was shot several times, being injured in the leg and back. He added, "It was true. Every guy in his area was trying to prove himself and either had a tattoo or a bullet hole he had both. Most recently he was reunited with Sopranos co-stars Vincent Pastore (Big Pussy) and Federico Castelluccio (Furio) in film Sarah Q. I forgot I had a wife. He received the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2000 and 2008. "We got cross-pollinated." Sirico's brother, Robert Sirico, is a Catholic priest and co-founder of the free-market Acton Institute. The investigation, however, saw a number of people implicated. What is Tony Sirico up to these days? 2023 Ghanafuo.com & DM Network. The first time I went away to prison, they searched me to see if I had a gun - and I had three of em on me," he said. His brother, Father Anthony Sirico, posted on Facebook that he is survived by his two children as well as grandchildren and "many other relatives". Sirico also appeared at last years SopranosCon, dressed in a suit with his famous pinky ring and wearing gleaming white shoes Paulie would be proud of. But, of all the names that popped up during the investigation, it was Tony Sirico's that is perhaps is most intriguing. The episode reveals how Helm hung around with a who's who of male celebs, including Warren Beatty, Frankie Crocker, Jack Nicholson, and even the Shah of Iran. According to the LA Times, Tony Sirico is actually very similar to his character, Paulie. Louis Pegno, a man who claims to have run with Sirico, told the New York Post that he often had to fight the actor's fights for him. ", However, his story slightly changed the following year during Sirico's 1990 interview with the Los Angeles Times. You either had to have a tattoo or a bullet hole," he previously told theLos Angeles Times, before adding with a smile, "I had both. When they went to check if he was carrying a firearm, the police found him three. "But in a funny way, now that he's straight, he can behave like a wise guy. Clemenza was under FBI surveillance at the time. He went on to be arrested 28 other times with two spells behind bars. He commented that as a child he was very hard, and he spent watching the gangsters, studied them to learn how to behave and look like one. It is with great sadness, but also with tremendous pride, love, and a lifetime of joyful memories, the family wrote in a statement. Sirico had been in terrible health for some years, however, no cause of death was mentioned. Tony Sirico's got the demeanor, the arrest record, and the stories to paint a picture of a life right out of The Sopranos. According to family-related sources, Sirico had been residing at an assisted living facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for a few years due to his health deteriorating. The Sopranos' Pine Barrens episode: Valery escapes. I mean, I was madly in love with her," he said, emphasizing the word madly and adding how he'd left his wife and two kids behind to be with her. And I knew I had the (guts) to stand up and (bull) people," said Sirico, who could make his killer inmates laugh. Here is all you need to know about The Sopranos star. Of course, Tony will be most remembered for his 'Sopranos' role -- he won 2 Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble Cast. "I'd wear brown wigs. His hair and white wings also became a major talking point. Chianese still sings for patients in old peoples homes, which really must be rubbing it in seeing as he's now older than half of them, but still in rude health. Tony is in the last years of his career, but his charisma and acting skills have helped him maintain his popularity. and our The group was called the Theater of the Forgotten. He was 79. Dont f***ing think about killing me.". When I saw the blood all over my new white suit, I just went crazy, he told the LA Times in 1990. Tony Sirico, the actor best known for playing the eccentric gangster Paulie Walnuts on the hit HBO series "The Sopranos," died on Friday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. We collect and tell stories of people from all around the world. Perthe media outlet, Wood himself accused several people in handwritten letters he wrote before his passing. His mother Marie said in 2000, three years before she died: "He was a b*tch of a kid to raise. Before he made it big, he was arrested 28 times, according to the Los Angeles Times . Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Now, the acting was clearly impeccable. It broke my heart. This incident changed his life because he decided that he wanted to give the acting a chance to make a living. He was apparently only delivering one of his patented lines. On another occasion, he was kissing another man's wife and the husband saw them. The Sopranos captivated audiences between 1999 and 2007 and proved to be one of the best shows in TV history. 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In our neighbourhood, if you werent carrying a gun, it was like you were the rabbit during rabbit-hunting season.. Well, we've got you covered with our showbiz, TV and soaps newsletters - they'll drop straight into your inbox and you can unsubscribe whenever you like. ", Tony has also played police roles as in the films "Dead Presidents" and "Deconstructing Harry.". You always have your hands at the ready in front of you in case you need to defend yourself from an attack. Actor Tony Sirico, best known for his role as a mafia henchman on the The Sopranos, has died aged 79. For all his arrests, he was only convicted and served a prison sentence twice Once on an illegal-weapon charge and another time for armed robbery charges. EastEnders actress turned Strictly star Maisie Smith has sent fans into meltdown with her latest batch of smoking hot social media snaps as she posed up a storm fo the camera. According to the actor, he spent the majority of his formative years in the violent East Flatbush neighborhood. According to The New York Times, the murder was never solved. [18] In 1999, he and Sopranos co-star Vincent Pastore met with James Clemenza and his brother Jerry, Colombo crime family soldiers, at a Christmas party in Little Italy, Manhattan. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Sirico's brother, Fr. Tony Sirico health: Is the star suffering from cancer? "I stuck up this place in a blond wig and blond mustache. That's where we had the fight." While growing up, Tony was under the influence of mafia groups in the area where he lived. We'll bring you the inside track from telly expert Ed Gleave and soap specialist Sasha Morris. Late Sopranos actor Tony Sirico earned legions of fans as he played a badass mobster who took no sh*t. Tony passed away aged 79 on July 8, with his brother and fans rushing to pay tribute to the iconic actor. Where will Tom Sizemore be buried? First, I die. He knew he could act since he had previously talked his way out of countless convictions, and when in prison, he would stand in front of cold-blooded murderers and kidnappers, making them laugh without exhibiting any fear. And when he got a script that revealed he had to kill an old woman he begged creator Chase to change it as he was worried about how people from his tough neighbourhood would react. He's lovable in The Sopranos, but at home Junior's more lovable than Paulie Walnuts., When The Sopranos cast was rocked by the death of James Gandolfini aged 51 in 2013, Sirico paid tribute and said: He was one of my best friends in life. According to the New York Daily News, as FBI agents kept an eye on a Colombo crime family's Christmas party in 1999, Sirico andThe Sopranos co-star Vincent Pastore were allegedly spotted mingling with the guests. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. Meanwhile, co-star Schirripa said of the icon: I love Tony Sirico, [when they made him] they threw the mould away., And speaking in 2019, Sirico said: I am Paulie, till I pass.. Read about our approach to external linking. I know everybody. He told the Hollywood Reporter that Sirico had been a victim of dementia for several years. He left his wife and children abandoned to move in with that woman. "I know them. ", "What you see is really him - he just adds a little pepper, a little cayenne, to spice it up. Co-star Michael Imperioli, who played Christopher Moltisanti, led tributes to him. [6], Sirico was convicted of several crimes and was arrested 28 times, including for disorderly conduct, assault, and robbery, before taking up acting. The optical illusion will leave you stumped as it's asking people to spot the ghost hiding inside the room. He worked frequently with Woody Allen and James Toback. While there are many reasons for its popularity, the authenticity of the HBO series' characters and story arcs made it about as believable as a fictional show can get. When Sirico got married, the dad-of-two moved away from crime and started working in construction. Between 2012 and 2014, Sirico made appearances on the mob-based showLilyhammer,a series starringSteven Van Zandt, who played Tony Soprano's stalwart consigliere, Silvio Dante, onThe Sopranos. Robert Sirico, will deliver a Christian burial Mass in the Basilica of Regina Pacis on Wednesday, July 13 at 10:30 a.m. Sirico did not have an easy childhood; in fact, his first arrest was at the age of 7, for subtracting coins from a newspaper stand. ", According to Tony Sirico, it wasn't just Bensonhurst that had an influence on him and his life of crime. It was here that The Sopranos actor began forming his wiseguy persona as an admiring child. He moved to Florida from his beloved Brooklyn to be closer to his daughter.". Cookie Notice I offer my deepest condolences on your loss. Robert Sirico, will deliver a Christian burial Mass in the Basilica of Regina Pacis on Wednesday, July 13 at 10:30 a.m. Siricos family requested that memorial contributions be given in his name to Wounded Warriors, St. Judes Hospital, and the Acton Institute. AmoMama creates engaging, meaningful content for women. "I told Richie I wanted to be an actor, and a couple of weeks later he took me by the hand and put me in a movie called Crazy Joe, about the Mobster Joey Gallo. Actor Tony Sirico, best known for his role as a mafia henchman on the The Sopranos, has died aged 79. While Sirico acknowledged knowing high-ranking members of the family, James Clemenza and brother Jerry Clemenza, he said he hadn't seen them in years. Wilmington, Michael. When is Eurovision and how do you get tickets? That fucking sucks and I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy. But like The Godfather before it, The Sopranos wasn't entirely disconnected from the world it portrayed on screen. The curious and still unsolved murder of Christa Helm has kept people guessing for years. He also appeared in "Godfather, Part II." His fathers identity is unknown. Despite the fact that he has acted in a number of films, he is most known for his part in the television series The Sopranos. Despite the fact that he is towards the end of his career, his charisma and abilities have helped him maintain his popularity. "One day an acting group came into the 'college' I was in at the time. "I went outside and I just started wailing on him. David Chase instead offered him the role of Paulie Gualtieri; Sirico agreed under the condition that his character "would not become a rat". Tony Sirico passed away in an assisted living facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Friday, according to the late actor's manager, Bob McGowan. News. [15] 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". From her personal escapades, Helm apparently kept some incriminating evidence, including tapes and diaries. According toEntertainment Weekly,Sirico was back onFamily Guyshortly after, playing an exaggerated live-action version of himself. He also commented for a documentary, The Big Bang, that once a sailor was talking to his girl and he went crazy. Sirico passed away Friday at an assisted living facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, according to his manager of 25 years, Bob McGowan. [2] He grew up in the East Flatbush and Bensonhurst neighborhoods of Brooklyn,[4] and attended Midwood High School, but did not graduate. 15 Tony Sirico Was A Real Life Criminal Before Landing His Role. Tony's psychiatrist and outlet for his anxiety and deeply repressed emotions, Jennifer was both fascinated and repulsed by the mobster. He goes to the stores for me when I say. He died in an assisted living home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Cookie Notice "I tested my (courage) every night.". He has put forth a lot of effort throughout his life and has proven his worth in every task he has taken on. Sopranos actor Tony Sirico has died aged 79, but the star certainly lived life to the full, getting caught up in incidents not too similar to his iconic character Paulie Walnuts Gualtieri, Get the best celeb gossip with the Daily Star Showbiz newsletter. Definitely, Sirico knew how to get into trouble. Here are more films and TV shows that he has featured in. Between approximately 1950 and 1970, the future actor was arrested 28 times. The actor would have been 80 this month. And so when Sirico, now 78, told one of The Sopranos writers: If you ever write a script where I die? Sirico only played Vinny for a few episodes beforeBrian Griffin miraculously returned and reclaimed his spot, but Sirico would return toFamily Guylater. "He would do anything to help people in need. I gave a lot of guys beatings.". He also voiced the character of Vinny the dog in Family Guy, Big Daddy in The Fairly OddParents, and Enzo Perotti in American Dad. Noting that he "wasn't right in [his] head" and was "ashamed" of his actions, the actor continued, "When I was done giving him that beating, I threw his body over the rail into the water into the bay, and he hit the boat there." He was detained at the Sing Sing Prison when he saw a film made by a group of ex-convicts, which encouraged him to alter his life and pursue a career as an actor. He has played gangster roles in "Fingers," "Love and Money," "Goodfellas," "Innocent Blood," "Mighty Aphrodite" "Bullets Over Broadway," and "Mob Queen. Interestingly, Castellano is another actor with alleged mafia ties. He's happy now, so he's more attentive when I talk to him. David Chase, the creator of The Sopranos, has spoken about his irritation at viewers' desire to see Tony Soprano die at the end of the hit series . You'll have to find the ghoul in under 11 seconds, so can you do it? Tony Sirico was born and raised in Bensonhurst, a Brooklyn neighborhood in New York City. "I am proud to say I did a lot of my best and most fun work with my dear pal Tony. He memorably portrayed Paulie "Walnuts" Gualtieri, a fictional mobster playing a key role. Gennaro Anthony Sirico Jr. is a deceased American actor who passed away on July 9, 2022. In a sentencing transcript obtained by The Smoking Gun, prosecutor Gerard Hinckley described some of the apparent threats Sirico made to nightclub owners. There was an air about them that was very intriguing, especially to a kid. Of all his problems with the law, it was Tony Sirico's 1971 conviction for a slew of charges that sits atop the list as the most egregious and most costly for him. I offer my. He was like family to me. So I come in wearing the same blond wig and boom they welcomed me with open arms and open handcuffs!". When they went to check if he was carrying a firearm, the police found him three. "I mean wrecked. Tony Sirico, one of the main stars of "The Sopranos," is dead TMZ has confirmed. "I was a pretty tough kid," he said in an interview withCigar Aficionadoin 2001. ", While undoubtedly a man of style, it was Tony Sirico's fashion sense or apparent senselessness, rather that landed him in prison for the first time. During his most recent term in prison in the early 1970s, the actor developed an interest in acting. Tony Sirico passed away in an assisted living facility. It was shortly after this that police stepped in and arrested the actor. If you change your mind, go to Notifications in the menu to enable browser notifications. I got 30 grand, 'cause they were making great money," Sirico said. When I saw the blood all over my new white suit, I just went crazy. They loved the show; they didnt care what we did.. In an interview withDeadline, Terrence Winter, a writer on the show, recalled his personal knowledge of the actor. In 2018, Sirico rejoined forces with some more of his Sopranos co-stars in the John Gallager film Sarah Q. His first bust came when he was just seven years old, after being taken in for stealing nickels from a newsstand. I mean I gave him a beating, like I overdid it." The actor died Friday morning at an assisted living home in . In an interview with disgraced writer-director James Toback for the 1989 documentary, The Big Bang, Tony Sirico described how his love for one woman turned him jealous and violent. "I saw them, and right there and then I knew what I wanted to do. Reporter at Ghanafuo.com! Sirico, however, had a make or break rule for his character he wouldnt be a rat. I forgot I had kids. Sirico was a big supporter of the U.S. military -- he and James Gandolfini once traveled to Iraq for a rally for the troops there. Read about our approach to external linking. In fact, he believes that many of his troubles with the law actually came after he fell. Tony Sirico's long career as a character actor started in the mid-1970s, but he might be best known for his role as Paulie "Walnuts" Gualtieri onThe Sopranos. Stars from "The Sopranos," including Lorraine Bracco, Michael Imperioli and Jamie Lynn Siglerare, are mourning the loss of castmate Tony Sirico, who died Friday at the age of 79. Its a jail thing, Imperioli said. Sirico has also made cameo appearances on shows likeChuck andMedium,according toE! And then one morning I woke up and I could breathe again. Fans ofFamily Guymay recognize Sirico as the voice of Vinny Griffin, the wise-guy dog who replaced Brian Griffin as the family's pet for a short stint on the show after Brian was killed in an episode. When will Tom Sizemore be buried? NOTE: This was shot LIVE from Sopranoscon! Sirico relaxing in his trailer between filming The Sopranos scenes, He played Tony Stacks in mobster film the Goodfellas, Sirico pictured at SopranosCon in 2019 before he retired, The star pictured with Michael Imperioli as Christopher Motisanti; James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano; and Steven Van Zandt as Silvio Dante, He became good friends with James Gandolfini and was rocked by his death in 2013, The Sopranos cast on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine in 2001, Steven Van Zandt and Tony Sirico on the set of Lilyhammer in September 2014, Paulie always held his hands in front of him, which was reportedly something Sirico had picked up in prison in case he was attacked, Sirico, James Gandolfini and Vincent Pastore pictured in 2009. Gennaro Anthony "Tony" Sirico's family wishes to inform you of his death, they said in a Facebook post from his brother Robert, "It is with enormous regret, but with incredible pride, love and a whole lot of beautiful memories." Robert reports that Tony died early on Friday. When he was younger, he was shot twice by a rival on the steps of a church. Some of his friends say that Sirico knows how to season stories to make them more interesting, and although he was really a tough guy, now that he's a right guy, he can romanticize his past and make him look glamorous and dangerous, in a distant and even fun way. He was excellent on the show and it's sad to see him like that. telegraph.co.uk. [11] He appeared in the 1989 documentary The Big Bang by James Toback, in which he discussed his earlier life. 1 yr. ago. He apparently lives in London now with his wife who's like 20 years younger than him. "I was madly in love with this girl. The best day of my life was when I fell out of love with that girl.. Hes stepped away from the spotlight, but hes still working. Would you be willing to do a recurring role on the show? In Tony Sirico's New York, he wasn't the only violent offender. Sirico went on to recall one particular night in Sheepshead Bay, N.Y. Apparently, he has known how to create a tough man image, and according to a friend, Louis Pegno, he fought several of the actor's fights for him. In 2018, Sirico joined with some of his co-stars of "The Sopranos" in John Gallager's film "Sarah Q." He hit the man repeatedly and ended up throwing him into the water of the bay. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Kevin Mimms net worth: bio, age, wikipedia, state farm, movies and tv shows, Is Kevin Mimms gay? Tony Sirico is a talented American actor best known for his role as Paul "Paulie Walnuts" Gualtieri in the American crime drama The Sopranos.He has also voiced Big Daddy in The Fairly OddParents and Vinny in Family Guy.. Actor Tony Sirico attends the Skin Cancer Foundation Media Awards Gala at the Mandarin Oriental New York on October 18, 2016. For that reason, investigators had a possible motive, especially considering that some of these items went missing. Thats what [Sirico] told me.. ", But there were others who implicated themselves in Wood's murder, including Tony Sirico, according to hissentencing transcript obtained by The Smoking Gun. I wasn't thinking right," the actor recalled. Sirico was born in Brooklyn, New York City,[3] on July 29, 1942, to a family of Italian descent. "My life was wrecked," he revealed to theLos Angeles Times. He grew up in a neighborhood of Bensonhurst, also in Brooklyn, a place known for mafia activity. Fun fact: He'd actually auditioned for the role of Tony Soprano's Uncle Junior -- which, of course, ultimately went to Dominic Chianese. The stars of The Sopranos are paying tribute to Tony Sirico. "I saved his a** so many times," he alleged. By that time he had been arrested 28 times and it is speculated that he worked as a member of the mafia, specifically for the Colombo family, under the orders of Carmine "Junior" Persico. "I don't remember this party. Yes, he is. It was during his last prison stay in the early 1970s, Sirico saw a performance by a group of ex-con actors and thought 'I can do that'. In fact, he believes that many of his troubles with the law actually came after he fell in love with a woman who wasn't his wife. Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa , who really is the dumbest motherfucker, talk about Mr. Sirico all the time on Talking Sopranos, but they have not invited him on the show yet. He looked and sounded like my grandmother before she died. He also became one of the only actors to influence a change in the script. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. "But The Sopranos has changed my Junior a lot. You either had to have a tattoo or a bullet hole. Sirico was apparently a germaphobe and paranoid at times, like Paulie, as well. The legendary star used to give Jimi Hendrix 'wedgies', refused to let anyone touch his hair, and had the same taste in women as Welsh singer Tom Jones. ", Apparently, Sirico's love of his white suit took over. Meanwhile, the stick-up artist himself allegedly admitted, "You hit them over the head with a baseball bat, and they come around." He was best known for his role as Paulie "Walnuts" Gualtieri in The Sopranos.