'There was no one like him': 'Sopranos' cast pays tribute to Tony Sirico
After Tony Sirico died Friday at the age of 79, the stars of The Sopranos honored their fellow cast members in a series of touching personal memories.
Tony was like no other: he was as tough, loyal, and as big-hearted as I've ever known.
Said Michael Imperioli, who played young upstart Christopher Moltisanti—and starred alongside Sirico in the dark comedic fan-favorite episode "The Pine Barrens" on the hit TV series.
"We found a slot in Christopher & Pauly and I'm proud to say that I did my best work with my dear friend Tony." He added: "I will miss her forever. She is truly irreplaceable."
"Tony Sirico was an original in every way," Joe Pantoliano, who played Ralph Cifaretto, a member of the anti-Dymio crime family, said in a statement to Rolling Stone. "How did he make me laugh?"
Steve Schirripa, who played Robert "Bobby Bakala" Baccalieri Jr., also recalled Sirico's sense of humour.
"Tony Sirico was one of the best of all," Schirripa told Rolling Stone.
“A true loyal friend with a gift for making people laugh, especially me. If you were lucky enough to be his friend, you were guaranteed a good time whenever you were around him.
He will be missed." Steven Van Zandt, who starred alongside Sirico in the TV series Lillehammer, called the actor a "larger than life character on and off screen".