News

Frank Vincent, ‘The Sopranos’ Star, Dead At 78

Frank Vincent, a character actor known for his many tough-guy roles in television and film, has passed away at the age of 78.

Vincent, who played mob boss Phil Leotardo on HBO’s The Sopranos, passed away following complications from heart surgery in New Jersey on Wednesday. According to TMZ, Vincent suffered a heart attack last week and underwent an open-heart surgery as a result. The actor died during the procedure.

Vincent’s Sopranos character, Phil Leotardo, was a rival of Tony Soprano’s throughout the series. The character appeared in more than 30 episodes before being eventually killed off by Tony’s men in the series finale. Leotardo wasn’t the first Mafia character played by Vincent. Vincent appeared in Martin Scorsese’s GoodFellas (1990) where he played Billy Batts, a made man in the Gambino crime family and Casino (1995) where he played gangster Frank Marino, a character based off of real-life Frank Cullotta.

Vincent appeared in over fifty movies and has been acknowledged with a Lifetime Achievement Award by the Back East Picture Show. In 1975, he made his feature film acting debut in Ralph DeVito’s Death Collector, where Scorsese first spotted him. Vincent also had small roles in two Spike Lee films, Do the Right Thing and Jungle Fever. Vincent also appeared in The Pope of Greenwich Village, Last Exit to Brooklyn, Night Falls on Manhattan and Shark Tale.

In addition to The Sopranos, Vincent made small-screen appearances on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, NYPD Blue and Walker, Texas Ranger.

Vincent’s talents weren’t limited to just acting. In 2006, Vincent published A Guy’s Guide to Being a Man’s Man. He also was an accomplished drummer and lent his voice to several video games including Grand Theft Auto.

Frank Vincent is survived by his wife, Katherine; daughters Debra and Maria; son Anthony; two grandchildren; and three siblings.

 

Error happened.
Brian Salemi

Recent Posts

Coachella 2025 Lineup By Day & Genre – How To Get Your Tickets Now

Coachella 2025 will take place at the Empire Polo Club in Indio, California, over the…

9 hours ago

U.S. Pardon Attorney Fired By Trump Administration After Refusing To Restore Mel Gibson’s Gun Rights

Oyer’s spokesperson shared in a statement that Oyer had not been told the reason for…

9 hours ago

‘Real Housewives’ Star Brandi Glanville Says Her Worsening Facial Disfigurement Due To ‘Face Parasites’ Is Getting A Lot Worse

Glanville had described the sensation as “tiny bubbles bursting” beneath her skin, and she feels…

11 hours ago

Elon Musk’s Transgender Daughter, Vivian, Slams His Use Of Sex-Selective IVFs For His Kids

One of five children that Musk shares with his ex-wife Justine Mark, Wilson came out…

11 hours ago

EXCLUSIVE VIDEO: Virginia Gardner Shares Her Favorite Scene With Lucy Hale In ‘F- Marry Kill’

F*** Marry Kill was released on March 7 and can be watched on Amazon Video…

14 hours ago

Scott Peterson, Convicted Of Murdering Pregnant Wife, Beaten In Prison Over A Pickleball Game

In 2004, Peterson was convicted of killing his 8-months-pregnant wife Laci on Christmas Eve, two…

15 hours ago