Tony Sirico (Genaro Anthony Sirico Jr.) is an American actor best known for playing Paul “Paulie Walnuts” Gualtieri in the television series The Sopranos.
He frequently portrays gangsters of Italian and American descent. Despite the fact that he has acted in a number of films, he is most known for his part in the television series ‘The Sopranos.’ Despite the fact that he is towards the end of his career, his charisma and abilities have helped him maintain his popularity. He has put forth a lot of effort throughout his life and has proven his worth in every task he has taken on.
Here is all you need to know about The Sopranos star.
Tony Sirico’s early life
Marie Sirico, the star’s devoted mother, gave birth to him in 1942. His father’s identity is unknown. Tony Sirico was born and raised in Bensonhurst, a Brooklyn neighborhood in New York City. According to the actor, he spent the majority of his formative years in the violent East Flatbush neighborhood.
Tony had repeated run-ins with the authorities since he was seven years old, and he developed a negative image in his town as a result.
Here are some quick facts about Tony Sirico young life:
- When he was seven years old, he was arrested for stealing coins from a newsstand.
- He has been arrested a total of 28 times for numerous crimes, including disorderly conduct and robbery.
- For all his arrests, he was only convicted and served a prison sentence twice – Once on an illegal-weapon charge and another time for armed robbery charges.
- A surprising fact about Tony Sirico is that he has been shot twice in his life. Both times on the same day. He had been kissing some else’s girlfriend at the steps of a local church when 3 men pulled up in a car, shot him in his leg, and later in the back – after he gave up chasing the car while bleeding.
What is Tony Sirico height?
The well-known television personality is quite tall. He is 5 feet 11 inches tall.
Tony Sirico movies and TV shows
During his most recent term in prison in the early 1970s, the actor developed an interest in acting. He was detained at the Sing Sing Prison when he saw a film made by a group of ex-convicts, which encouraged him to alter his life and pursue a career as an actor.
He knew he could act since he had previously talked his way out of countless convictions, and when in prison, he would stand in front of cold-blooded murderers and kidnappers, making them laugh without exhibiting any fear.
In 1977, he made his on-screen debut as Frankie Rio in the film Hughes and Harlow: Angels in Hell. Tony is most known for his portrayal as a henchman Paulie “Walnuts” Gualtieri on HBO’s The Sopranos.
Here are more films and TV shows that he has featured in
- Hoodlums (1980) – Gus’ Driver
- The Pick-up Artist (1987) – Patsy
- The Sopranos (1999 -2007) – Paulie ‘Walnuts’ Gualtieri. Of all Tony Sirico movies and TV shows characters, this is his most famous role to date.
- Nicky Deuce (2013) – Charlie Cement
- Family Guy – Tony Sirico Family Guy role was Vinny, who was in the show in five episodes from 2013 to 2016
What is Tony Sirico up to these days? He’s stepped away from the spotlight, but he’s still working. Currently, the actor is working on three more films that will be released in the near future. Respect the Jux and Street Justice are in the post-production and pre-production stages, respectively, while Super Athlete is finished but not yet released.
Is Tony Sirico married?
Yes, he is. To those wondering about Tony Sirico wife name, the actor’s better half is not publicly known. The couple, however, has two children, Joeanna and Richard Sirico.
What is Tony Sirico net worth?
Like many established movie stars, the celebrity is quite well off. As of November 2020, Tony’s wealth is estimated at $10 million.
Tony Sirico health: Is the star suffering from cancer?
He isn’t, no. However, an American tabloid alleged in 2002 that the actor was struggling for his life after a dangerous cancer spread from his mouth to his throat, and that he was having rigorous radiation therapy.
Following the hearing of these rumors, the star stated that they were unsubstantiated and false. His only health problems had occurred in November of the previous year, when he had a cyst removed from his spine, and earlier in the year (2002), when he had a dead saliva gland removed from his tongue as well as a hernia that required surgery.
Tony Sirico was able to turn his life around despite his previous run-ins with the law, and is now a proud parent, husband, and respected actor.