Every now and then, when Vincent Pastore is teaching acting classes in New York City, a fan of The Sopranos walks in. "It's usually a guy," Vincent says with a chuckle. "I ask them, 'What are you doing here?' And they respond, 'Well, you know, I just wanted to meet you.' And I tell them, 'I’m Vinny, I’m a teacher. I’m not that guy you saw on TV, okay?'" Vincent, who portrayed the unforgettable Salvatore Bonpensiero, or "Big Pussy," on the iconic HBO series, has embraced his post-Sopranos life with open arms, sharing his knowledge and experience with aspiring actors at HB Studios.
A native of New York, Vincent remains active in the entertainment world. Fans can catch him on Amazon Prime's drama Gravesend, where he plays Donnie Sisto, the Consigliere. But his passion extends beyond the screen. "I also run a theater group called Renegade with Maureen Van Zandt," he shares. Together, they produce both classic and contemporary plays, bringing a fresh perspective to the stage. It’s clear that Vincent’s love for storytelling knows no bounds.
Growing Up in New Rochelle
Vincent's journey began in the quaint town of New Rochelle, New York, where he was raised in an Italian-American neighborhood. "I attended New Rochelle High School, then joined the Navy, and later went to college," he recalls. After his military service, Vincent dove into the nightclub business before transitioning to acting in 1989. "It's been quite the ride," he says, reflecting on his diverse career path.
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Was Acting Always the Dream?
Interestingly, acting wasn't Vincent's childhood dream. "I always wanted to own a nightclub," he admits. "I love putting shows together, organizing events, and creating an atmosphere." It’s a bit ironic, considering The Sopranos co-star Michael Imperioli wrote an episode where his character, Christopher, buys a bar for Adriana. The name of the bar? The Crazy Horse. "That was the name of my bar," Vincent points out with a grin. Coincidence? Maybe not.
Was the Role in Goodfellas His Big Break?
While Vincent had a small part in Goodfellas, it wasn't his defining moment. "No, my big breakthrough came with Jerky Boys alongside Alan Arkin," he explains. "That movie completely changed the game for me. It became a cult classic, but working opposite Alan Arkin was a dream come true." Vincent shares a fascinating backstory about his connection to the Arkin family. "In the late '70s, between running my bar, I managed a travel agency. I used to put Anthony Arkin on the bus every Sunday afternoon to go back to college in Vermont. Years later, Anthony and I ended up working on a movie together. Life is full of surprises!"
How Did Vincent Land the Role on The Sopranos?
Vincent credits his role on The Sopranos to his work on the HBO movie Gotti. "I played Quack Quack in that movie, and it got a great response," he recalls. "So when they were casting for The Sopranos, they brought in me, Tony Sirico [Paulie], and Dominic Chianese [Junior] on the same afternoon. We all auditioned for the role of Big Pussy." The rest, as they say, is history.
Did Vincent Expect the Show to Be a Hit?
Not at all. "We had no idea what we were doing or where the show was headed when we filmed the first season," he confesses. "HBO held back and released all the episodes once the season was complete. Boom! It exploded. By the time we started the second season, we were already part of pop culture."
Was Vincent Surprised by His Character's Early Exit?
Vincent signed a seven-year contract, so he was caught off guard when his character was killed off in the second season. "But they kept bringing me back for flashbacks," he jokes. "They promised me a paycheck, so I showed up whenever they called."
What Was It Like Working with James Gandolfini?
James Gandolfini wasn't just Vincent's co-star; he was his best friend. "I’ll never forget the table read for season two, episode one," Vincent says. "After the read, I went over to Jimmy and said, 'How am I going to memorize all this?' He replied, 'You’re going to come to the set early. We’ll get in my trailer, run out of wine, and you’ll do a great job.' Thanks to him, I almost got an Emmy nomination. Jimmy’s soul stays with me. There wouldn’t have been The Sopranos without James Gandolfini."
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Has Vincent Faced Typecasting Challenges?
Vincent acknowledges that he's been typecast since day one. "That’s what they give me—Law & Order roles or wise guys," he says. "But I don’t want to play a rat anymore." To break free from these constraints, Vincent has joined forces with Maureen Van Zandt to form a theater company. "Little Steven [Van Zandt, who played Silvio on The Sopranos] directs us," he explains. "We recently put on a comedy called Lovers and Other Strangers. There’s more to life than just playing the same kind of guy!"
Vincent's Thoughts on the Sopranos Finale
Vincent believes the creators left the finale open-ended intentionally. "They didn’t know Jimmy was going to pass away," he says. "David Chase told me, 'Are you ready to come back to work?' I think he left everything up in the air because they were thinking about making a movie."
Vincent's Experience with Dancing with the Stars
At one point, Vincent was cast on Dancing with the Stars but ultimately backed out. "They paired me with a dancer from Russia who was about 25 years old," he explains. "I couldn’t keep up with her. I called my agent and asked if they could match me with someone closer to my age. It seemed like they wanted to get rid of me by episode one." Vincent laughs as he reflects on the experience, proving that even off
