‘Sopranos’ Actor Frank Vincent Dies at 80

Frank Vincent, a veteran character actor remembered for his role as mobster Phil Leotardo on HBO’s “The Sopranos,” died on Wednesday at age 80. No cause of death was given.

Born Frank Vincent Gattuso Jr. on April 15, 1937 in North Adams, Massachusetts and raised in Jersey City, Vincent started as a musician, playing drums for such acts as Paul Anka and Del Shannon. He was spotted by Martin Scorsese and cast in “Raging Bull” after making his film debut in the 1976 movie “The Death Collector,” which featured another Scorsese regular, Joe Pesci. Over the years he guest starred in numerous TV series, including “Civil Wars,” “Walker, Texas Ranger,” “Law & Order” and “NYPD Blue.” In 2006, Vincent wrote the nonfiction book “A Guy’s Guide to Being a Man’s Man.”

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