Every Major Actor From ‘The Sopranos’ Who Died

‘The Sopranos’ changed television with layered storytelling and a cast that brought New Jersey’s underworld to startling life. Many of those performers have since passed away, leaving behind roles that continue to be studied and revisited.

This roundup focuses on major series regulars and recurring players whose work shaped the show across its six seasons. Each entry notes who they played, when they appeared, and key work from their broader careers, along with verified life details that give a clear record of their legacy.

James Gandolfini

James Gandolfini starred as Tony Soprano across all six seasons and appeared in 86 episodes. He died in June 2013 at age 51 in Rome while traveling with his family. He won three Primetime Emmys for the role and became closely identified with the series lead who balanced therapy visits with mob leadership. His stage background and film work prepared him for the part after notable turns in ‘True Romance’ and ‘Get Shorty’.

Outside ‘The Sopranos’ he worked in films such as ‘In the Loop’, ‘Enough Said’, and ‘The Drop’. He produced documentaries on veterans and post traumatic stress. He was born in Westwood New Jersey and graduated from Rutgers University. His son Michael Gandolfini later portrayed a young Tony Soprano in the prequel film set in the same world.

Tony Sirico

Tony Sirico played Paulie Walnuts Gualtieri in 74 episodes from the pilot through the finale. He died in July 2022 at age 79 in Florida. His character moved from soldier to capo under Tony and drove several major plots including power shifts inside the DiMeo family.

Sirico was a frequent collaborator with filmmaker Woody Allen and appeared in films like ‘Bullets Over Broadway’ and ‘Café Society’. He was born in New York City and served in the United States Army in his youth. Late career television roles included appearances on animated shows where he often voiced characters modeled after tough New York archetypes.

Nancy Marchand

Nancy Marchand portrayed Livia Soprano in seasons 1 and 2 and died in June 2000 at age 71. Production used previously filmed material and digital techniques to complete early season 3 scenes involving the character. Livia’s manipulation of Tony and conflicts over institutionalizing her defined much of the show’s early tension.

Marchand had a long stage and screen career. She won multiple Emmys for ‘Lou Grant’ and worked in films such as ‘The Naked Gun’. She trained at the Carnegie Institute of Technology and performed extensively in theater. Her final work on ‘The Sopranos’ aired posthumously.

Frank Vincent

Frank Vincent appeared as Phil Leotardo in seasons 5 and 6 and died in September 2017 at age 80. His character served prison time with Johnny Sack and later rose to lead the Lupertazzi family in New York which put him in direct conflict with Tony. His scenes with Anthony Imperioli’s character built on long running New York versus New Jersey rivalries inside the show.

Vincent was a frequent presence in crime cinema. He appeared in ‘Raging Bull’, ‘Goodfellas’, and ‘Casino’. He was born in Massachusetts and worked as a musician before acting. He authored a book on tough guy etiquette that drew on his film and television roles.

Joseph Siravo

Joseph Siravo played Tony’s father Johnny Boy Soprano in flashbacks through multiple seasons and died in April 2021 at age 66. The flashback sequences showed formative moments from Tony’s childhood and mapped family dynamics that continued into the present timeline. He also appeared in the related prequel project set in the same universe.

Siravo performed on Broadway and national tours including major roles in ‘Jersey Boys’ and ‘The Light in the Piazza’. He taught acting and voice at several programs. His screen credits included ‘The People v. O. J. Simpson’ and independent films produced in New York.

Robert Loggia

Robert Loggia portrayed paroled capo Feech La Manna in season 5 and died in December 2015 at age 85. Feech’s return from prison and attempts to reclaim old rackets disrupted Tony’s plans and led to decisive action by the crew. The arc underscored how older ways clashed with Tony’s management style.

Loggia’s career spanned decades with roles in ‘Scarface’, ‘Big’, and ‘Jagged Edge’ for which he earned an Academy Award nomination. He was born in Staten Island and studied at the Actors Studio. He worked steadily in television and film from the 1950s onward.

Tom Aldredge

Tom Aldredge played Hugh De Angelis who was Carmela’s father and appeared from season 1 through season 6. He died in July 2011 at age 83. Family gatherings at the De Angelis home showed suburban life that coexisted with mob wealth and highlighted Carmela’s background and loyalties.

Aldredge had a substantial theater career and won multiple awards for stage work. He also appeared in ‘Cold Mountain’ and ‘Intimate Strangers’ and made recurring television appearances in series like ‘Boardwalk Empire’. He was born in Ohio and trained in the Midwest before moving into New York theater.

Denise Borino-Quinn

Denise Borino Quinn portrayed Ginny Sacrimoni in seasons 4 through 6 and died in October 2010 at age 46. She was introduced as Johnny Sack’s wife and appeared across storylines that impacted negotiations with New Jersey. Her scenes were central to moments that tested alliances around Johnny’s leadership.

She was a New Jersey native who worked in a law firm before acting. She was cast after an open call and continued to appear at events related to the series. She later pursued work outside acting and remained connected to the show’s fan community.

Peter Bogdanovich

Peter Bogdanovich played Dr. Elliot Kupferberg who was Dr. Melfi’s supervising psychiatrist across seasons 2 through 6. He died in January 2022 at age 82. His sessions with Melfi examined clinical ethics and influenced her decision making about keeping Tony as a patient.

Bogdanovich was an acclaimed filmmaker who directed ‘The Last Picture Show’, ‘Paper Moon’, and ‘What’s Up Doc’. He also acted in projects outside ‘The Sopranos’ and wrote film histories. He taught and mentored directors and curated retrospectives for classic cinema.

Paul Herman

Paul Herman appeared as Beansie Gaeta in seasons 2, 3, and 6 and died in March 2022 at age 76. His character ran a pizza and sandwich shop and became a key associate on the New Jersey side. A violent confrontation with Richie Aprile and later interactions with Tony and Christopher kept him present across multiple arcs.

Herman was a frequent performer in New York based productions. His film credits include ‘Once Upon a Time in America’, ‘Goodfellas’, ‘Silver Linings Playbook’, and ‘The Irishman’. He owned restaurants popular with actors in Manhattan and maintained ties to the city’s arts scene.

Burt Young

Burt Young played Bobby Baccalieri Sr. in the season 3 episode that dealt with a difficult hit assignment. He died in October 2023 at age 83. The role explored aging mobsters and how long service could still lead to dangerous work.

Young earned an Academy Award nomination for ‘Rocky’ and returned to that franchise across multiple films. He was born in Queens and served in the United States Marine Corps. His career included theater, painting exhibitions, and numerous television guest roles.

Joe Santos

Joe Santos portrayed Angelo Garepe in season 5 and died in March 2016 at age 84. His character was a respected elder from the Aprile crew whose release from prison triggered power moves that escalated the New York conflict. His fate affected the choices of Phil Leotardo and Tony Blundetto.

Santos was widely known for ‘The Rockford Files’. He also appeared in ‘The Blue Knight’ and films like ‘The Last Boy Scout’. He was born in Brooklyn and worked steadily in television from the 1970s through the 2000s.

Frank Pellegrino

Frank Pellegrino appeared as FBI Chief Frank Cubitoso across seasons 1 through 4 and died in January 2017 at age 72. Cubitoso coordinated investigations into the DiMeo organization and appeared in briefings and strategy sessions with field agents. His scenes provided a view into federal tactics and resource shifts.

Pellegrino co owned the famed Rao’s restaurant in New York. He appeared in ‘Goodfellas’ and other crime dramas and recorded music earlier in life. He was born in East Harlem and balanced hospitality and acting throughout his career.

John Heard

John Heard played Detective Vin Makazian in season 1 and died in July 2017 at age 71. Makazian acted as an off the books source for Tony and later became entangled in personal and professional setbacks that affected his reliability. His arc intersected with Dr. Melfi’s early storyline.

Heard appeared in ‘Cat People’, ‘After Hours’, and ‘Home Alone’. He was born in Washington D.C. and trained in theater before moving into film and television. He received an Emmy nomination for a separate guest role on a medical drama later in his career.

Tony Lip

Tony Lip portrayed Carmine Lupertazzi Sr. in seasons 3 through 5 and died in January 2013 at age 82. As head of the Lupertazzi family he presided over disputes with New Jersey and managed succession issues that rippled across the final seasons. His scenes often centered on sitdowns and diplomatic fixes.

Lip also appeared in ‘The Godfather’ and ‘Goodfellas’. He was born in New Jersey and worked as a club maître d’ before acting. His life story informed the later film ‘Green Book’ which drew on his work as a driver for pianist Don Shirley.

John Costelloe

John Costelloe appeared as Jim Johnny Cakes Witowski in season 6 and died in December 2008 at age 47. The character entered the show through an upstate storyline involving Vito Spatafore. Episodes followed his relationship with Vito during the character’s time away from New Jersey.

Costelloe was a former New York City firefighter. He acted on stage in local productions and appeared in television prior to his role on ‘The Sopranos’. He continued performing in theater projects in New York.

Suzanne Shepherd

Suzanne Shepherd played Mary DeAngelis who was Carmela’s mother and appeared from season 1 through season 6. She died in September 2023 at age 89. Scenes at the De Angelis home featured family events and showed Carmela’s ties to her parents in suburban Essex County.

Shepherd taught acting for decades and appeared in ‘Goodfellas’ and ‘Mystic Pizza’. She was born in New York City and worked in theater and independent film. She also directed stage productions and coached younger performers.

Robert LuPone

Robert LuPone portrayed Dr. Bruce Cusamano who was Tony’s neighbor and physician in seasons 1 and 3. He died in August 2022 at age 76. Episodes with the Cusamano family contrasted suburban professional life with Tony’s world and included the golf outing that exposed boundaries between them.

LuPone earned a Tony nomination for ‘A Chorus Line’ and co founded MCC Theater in New York. He taught acting at several institutions and managed productions that transferred to Broadway. He made television appearances in multiple dramas filmed in the city.

Greg Antonacci

Greg Antonacci played Butch DeConcini who served as a senior figure under Phil Leotardo in seasons 6 and 6B. He died in September 2017 at age 70. Butch’s decisions impacted peace talks and responses to New Jersey during the last run of episodes.

Antonacci was also a writer and director and appeared later in ‘Boardwalk Empire’. He worked on stage and television from the 1970s and maintained a dual career behind and in front of the camera. He was born in New York and remained active in productions set there.

John “Cha Cha” Ciarcia

John Ciarcia portrayed Albie Cianflone on the New York side in seasons 5 and 6. He died in November 2015 at age 75. Albie appeared in strategy meetings and assisted leadership during negotiations that bridged both families.

Ciarcia owned restaurants in Little Italy and was a well known community figure. He worked in films that shot in New York and appeared on local radio programs. His culinary and entertainment work often overlapped with his on screen projects.

Paul Mazursky

Paul Mazursky appeared as Sunshine who dealt cards at a high stakes game in season 2. He died in June 2014 at age 84. The episode placed him opposite Tony during a tense poker sequence that became part of the show’s gambling storylines.

Mazursky directed films such as ‘An Unmarried Woman’, ‘Down and Out in Beverly Hills’, and ‘Moon Over Parador’. He acted across multiple projects while maintaining a directing career. He served on festival juries and contributed essays on filmmaking.

Sydney Pollack

Sydney Pollack guest starred as Warren Feldman during Johnny Sack’s prison medical scenes in season 6. He died in May 2008 at age 73. The character provided a perspective on illness and confinement from within the federal system.

Pollack won Academy Awards for ‘Out of Africa’ and produced and acted in films across several decades. He appeared in ‘Tootsie’ and directed ‘Three Days of the Condor’. He also produced prestige television projects late in his career.

Frances Esemplare

Frances Esemplare played Nucci Gualtieri who was presented as Paulie’s mother and later revealed as his aunt. She died in December 2017 at age 83. Her appearances in seasons 4 and 5 explored Paulie’s family background and responsibilities.

She was a New York performer with credits in independent film and television. She participated in fan events connected to the series. Her episodes remain central to understanding Paulie’s motivations in later seasons.

If we missed someone important from ‘The Sopranos’ family, share the name and the role in the comments so we can add them.