Vincent Pastore, best known for his memorable role as Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on the hit television series “The Sopranos,” celebrated his 80th birthday just weeks before his unexpected death.

Pastore marked the milestone on July 14 with a birthday celebration alongside longtime friend Stephen Villano, who described himself as the actor’s “right-hand man.” Photos from the gathering showed Pastore smiling and enjoying a customized birthday cake as friends celebrated the occasion with him.

Villano, who had known Pastore for nearly three decades, said he was devastated by the actor’s death and last spoke with him just days before he passed away. According to Villano, Pastore appeared to be in good health and had recently undergone a routine physical.

Pastore was found dead at his home in the Bronx on Saturday. According to police sources cited by reports, his death was believed to have been from natural causes.

For Villano, the loss was especially painful because their relationship had grown far beyond a professional connection. He initially worked as Pastore’s driver but eventually became a close friend, accompanying the actor to appointments, events, television appearances and other commitments.

Villano said Pastore had several plans for the future, including television projects, premieres and performances with his old-rock band, the “Gangster Squad,” where he sang and played the tambourine.

Although Pastore became widely recognized for portraying mobsters throughout his career, his close friends said his real personality was very different from the tough characters he often played on screen.

Villano remembered him as a generous, caring and compassionate person who was deeply connected to his community. He said Pastore regularly supported charitable causes, veterans, members of the military and law enforcement, as well as organizations including St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Pastore was also a prostate cancer survivor and reportedly used his own experience to support others facing similar challenges. His generosity extended beyond public appearances, with Villano recalling that Pastore once donated prize money he earned from appearing on “The Apprentice” to charity.

While “The Sopranos” became one of the defining chapters of his career, Pastore’s work extended across decades and included roles in dramas, comedies and horror films. His portrayal of Big Pussy helped establish him as a familiar face in American television and cinema, but those who knew him personally emphasized that there was much more to his life than the characters he portrayed.

The actor also maintained close friendships with many of his former “Sopranos” castmates. Following news of his death, several members of the cast remembered him with heartfelt tributes, describing him as a beloved friend and a genuinely kind person.

Friends, neighbors and fellow actors gathered at Pastore’s Bronx home following his death to remember a man whose career brought him recognition around the world, but whose generosity and loyalty left an equally lasting impression on those who knew him personally.

For fans, Vincent Pastore will forever be remembered as Big Pussy. For his friends and community, however, he was a much more complex and compassionate person — a loyal friend, a devoted supporter of charitable causes and a man who remained grateful for the career and relationships that shaped his life.