Tony Sirico on how he became so close with James Gandolfini

Tony Sirico (Paulie “Paulie Walnuts” Gualtieri) from The Sopranos, reflects with Federico Castelluccio (Furio Giunta) on how he became close with James Gandolfini
Full interview on VirtualCons.com
Find us on social: @sopranoscon

[@saber26ful]

When I was young, Paulie looked old. Now that I’m old, he’s still old 🤟🏼 *RIP Tony. We all miss you.

[@CarlosRodriguez-lk8oz]

Fr huh from the early 2000s 😂

[@danski6694]

He he he he

[@wesrichmond]

OHHHHHHH...don't get cunty!

[@saber26ful]

Who here wants to hire an interior decorator for Xmas? I heard Furio charges $1000.

[@danski6694]

@@saber26ful one thousand - MORE?

[@MetalGearChris1]

rest in peace Tony Sirico, 6000 years of purgatory and then the real fun begins

[@roymunson1]

he can do that standing on his head. if he goes to Irish hell though...

[@greggstrasser5791]

It’s good to be Catholic..

[@teo5836]

lol purgatory smh try reading the Bible actually and realize that those Pagan Greco-Roman myths aren’t in there.

[@greggstrasser5791]

@@teo5836 I thought it would be some degenerate Atheist who would make some sort of negative comment, but it had to be you.

[@teo5836]

@@greggstrasser5791 there’s not much of a difference between and atheist and most Catholics. Sorry that the truth bothers you.

[@siryizzur]

Rest In Peace, Tony Sirico. You'll forever be immortalized within the best show ever created. "Ride the painted pony, let the spinning wheel glide!"

[@Letizia2810]

Wtf! I didn’t know that??! You just shocked me 😢

[@theinvinciblewinner]

“Fuckin satanic black magic! Sick shit!” “And the machines went BULLSHIT!” “How much more betrayal can I take?”

[@stanleymasterson1135]

Best show ever created is easily Breaking Bad, but the Sopranos was very special. Nothing like it will ever be made again. I miss that show

[@camouflage873]

@@stanleymasterson1135 It's all opinion but The Sopranos writing was on a whole different level to Breaking Bad, BB was excellent but The Sopranos is in my opinion in the top three shows ever made

[@freshprinceofPersia]

Couldn't agree more with@@camouflage873. I think we have a delusional and unhealthy level of the GOAT conversation (another stupid trend) in everything these days, be it sports or motion pictures or etc. Anything that gives you more joy is the best, subjectively. That being said, from an artistic point of view Sopranos is just leaps and bounds above Breaking Bad and honestly most other things. Again there isn't a quantitative metric and there shouldn't be, but, the richness of the characters backstories and subsequently the characters consistency, dialogues and etc. is one of many examples. Another one is being so well and richly written so not have to rely on cliffhangers in virtually every episode. I love Breaking Bad and have watched it end to end countless times, but, it just doesn't have the couple of qualities I mentioned above to the extent that Sopranos does.

[@jacquelinetatem175]

Casting Tony Sirico as “Paulie” was pure genius. RIP

[@PyrrhusNeoptolemus]

David chase actually created the character specifically for him.

[@arfenmalik1717]

Sirico has a past in crime. He was even jailed for afew years for it

[@farab4391]

It was, especially since he went to audition for the role of Uncle Junior

[@Mr_Zzzeee]

@@arfenmalik1717 yes, that's the point of the comment.

[@zachsalvatore5175]

I really wish this generation of actors could live forever…RIP Tony Sirico…you’ll be missed

[@mafiagaming1847]

same. I'm going to be heart broken wen pacino and deniro do. there won't be any more legends.

[@terryhaircastle5702]

@@mafiagaming1847 damn me too

[@BBPalmer420]

@@mafiagaming1847 oh well, what ya gonna do? Death, she comes fer us all my friend, get ready. I’m excited personally to experience it

[@seniormass]

@@mafiagaming1847 Joe Pesci, Christopher Walken

[@Nickander31]

@@BBPalmer420 excited..? Idk man def. not the adjective I would use lol

[@corneliuswonder]

That moment when he said 'I was about to say, you ask Jimmy.' Sad, still to this day.

[@ernestpratgarriga9879]

Broke my muddafuckin fuckin heart

[@stefanwilkinson1536]

"I was about to say, 'You ask Jimmy.'" The sadness that flashed across his eyes was tough, however fleeting.

[@Prousto]

Nice to see this. There are some recent videos of Tony that are hard to watch, but he’s pretty sharp and “on” here.

[@IgorPrototype90]

Is he ill or is it just the age?

[@jamesalsworth7015]

@@IgorPrototype90 age. guys nearly 80

[@glleboy2233]

Son of the XII legion I think he has Alzheimer’s

[@IgorPrototype90]

@@glleboy2233 Fuck....

[@saber26ful]

Was just about to say that

[@sugreev2001]

RIP Paulie Walnuts. And Thank you Tony for creating such an iconic and amazing character.

[@youtubegoogleb]

Gotta love Tony Sirico, what a life he has lived

[@Doomzdayxx]

Tony Sirico seems like a decent guy, albeit a bit eccentric, which is why we all love him. He was my favorite character on Sopranos. I hear rumors that he's not doing so well so I wish him and his family all the best. Legend.

[@DovahKanye]

He's a fuckin saint.

[@chrisalva915]

What do you mean? Health problems? Love Tony Sirico. Amazing actor

[@crazyrabbits]

@@chrisalva915 - Possible memory loss.

[@chrisalva915]

@@crazyrabbits Sigh…

[@GodKing804]

His germaphobia is real with the shoe lace

[@paulkersey1007]

So the guy that plays Furio doesn't have a real Italian accent? Holy shit!

[@nowrestlingiq7317]

Omg I just noticed that now, he did a damn good job at the accent tho.

[@paulkersey1007]

@Craig Cardone Very cool

[@jimhenderson9173]

He's also a classically trained artist/painter who has his works in some of the finest museums in the world.

[@paulkersey1007]

@@jimhenderson9173 that's really cool because the guys very very talented

[@Sweetteatn615]

He is first generation Italian. His family speaks Italian and they have Italian accents. So, he already knew the accent he needed and could speak Italian fluently. He didn't just learn all of it for the role. David Chase even let him change one of the lines spoken in Italian during the scene where he beats up the couple in the whorehouse. Frederico did the scene in front of David Chase and David Chase liked what he did with it, so he wrote it in the script.

[@DBIGDEENO]

Just so you know, Tony read for the part of Uncle June but lost it to Dominick. But David Chase loved Tony’s reading so much he created Paulie specifically for Tony. So literally Tony Sirico was playing himself

[@VladikaRade1813]

Just so YOU know, Tony Sirico is the only actor from the series that David Chase agreed to change a line in the script for.

[@pray4mojo35]

Truly one of a kind and not only a gifted actor but an amazing personality.

[@caarrll7117]

Man Furio is a great actor! I can’t believe he doesn’t have the Italian accent!

[@FullyLooted]

My grandma used to see him when she walked on shore road in bay ridge, Brooklyn. She didn’t know a single word of English but Tony would always take the time to talk to her for a few mins. A great man and a huge loss for Brooklyn

[@AdamKaiser.]

He aged rapidly in only 11 years the last time I remember seeing Tony in good health was back in 2010

[@JaySantana-so9zw]

I was looking at photos and in 2013 he looks like he old usual Tony self and then a picture in 2017 and he looks totally different like extremely older from just 4 years it didn’t make sense to me that you could change how you look within 4 years for whatever reason

[@pereirafernando7413]

@@JaySantana-so9zw It seems that he had a stroke.

[@cmcproductions26]

You know what's weird? There's a movie that JUST came out, or it's about to come out, called "Respect the jux". Tony Sirico is in it, and he looks exactly the same as he did towards the final season of The Sopranos as Paulie. The movie was actually filmed in 2014, and for some odd reason, they waited 8 years to release it. The trailer popped up in my recommended as "Respect the jux - 2022". I watched it, saw Tony, and was like "what the hell?" Weirded me out for a little bit, until I did some research on google, and saw it was filmed in 2014.

[@DrBigFMC]

@@MrHarrystank That's a heartbreaking but very eloquent and accurate description. Terrible disease.

[@cloudgary7596]

11 years when you’re that age is a long time. Stop being stupid. It’s going to happen to us all.

[@RayKlassen]

R.I.P. Tony Sirico!!

[@chuckb8877]

I love how he wasn't really acting but was just being himself

[@UnstoppableGiant]

RIP Tony Sirico, the most Italian guy you’d ever meet, and a hell of a guy to know.

[@KotoGrey]

Rest in peace... both James and Tony.

[@alainportant6412]

INCREDIBLE ! In his last appearances, he could barely speak let alone swear.

[@TheTrashStash]

he could be on medications that make him a little loopy

[@alainportant6412]

Seemed like a stroke to me, he didn't make any sense last time but who knows

[@JudahMaccabee_]

heart medication can make you slur

[@chrisg9615]

He had been drinking

[@alainportant6412]

@@chrisg9615 he took the safe and effective vaccine

[@makenton15]

Jim & Tony together again God bless them both 🕊🕊

[@MainO_o3]

Wow seeing Walnuts so old and fragile really breaks my heart! Such a memorable actor, RIP BIG TON!!

[@lt.lasereyez8891]

wrinkly like an old ladies cunt!

[@someperson9999]

He is a man who I think is truly redeemed from his past. Especially with all of his volunteer work for us veterans. It's always good to see men like him.

[@williamoleary9330]

Tony, you will be remembered forever in a really good way. You brought some much fun, love and laughter into the World. Rest in Peace❤️

[@miaouew]

Tony reminds me of my grandpa. They even looked alike. He sounds just like him too..they both even kinda talk the same, use the same words. Its crazy

[@webee9679]

I would be sitting with him all the time.

[@miaouew]

@@webee9679 He passed away about 7 or 8 years ago, sadly, and before that he and my grandma moved way up north to be closer to the rest of my family since they were getting very old at that point. I miss them both, they were awesome grandparents. Unfortunately I never got to spend a whole lot of time as an adult with them.

[@neilltavernier4586]

Paulie was the best character and Tony did it just right. I always will remember Chrissie's intervention and Paulie telling him off and the guy saying, "We're supposed to be supportive!" and Paulie says, "Fuck that! Let him take his medicine!"

[@mixelplik]

Brilliant episode in a brilliant series!

[@futureobituary9661]

Such a ruthless but lovable character, he’s a cultural icon. Godbless 🙏

[@eltravo2112]

I still can’t believe Sirico is no longer with us. Rest well my friend.

[@alexscott730]

Tony's apartment looks just like Paulie's...lol

[@goodplenty534]

They modeled his apartment over his

[@daver2725]

Where's the painting?

[@loungerobo]

its because he lives in brooklyn somewhere and unknown location. just like Vincent Gardenia lived on 17th ave and noone ever knew.. go figure. his money never went to his head! :)

[@wolfy9549]

He just took the plastic off his couch for this interview

[@padey]

@@loungerobo Yeah, Tony lived in Bay Ridge Brooklyn. Down by shore blvd a block away from the 65th street pier entrance. I use to work as a delivery driver for a pizzeria named Vesuvios. I took a delivery for a Tony.S, labeled on the ticket, when I get to the apartment and go up the stairs to his the apartment, door opens… and seeing his face made my heart sink, I froze and stared at him and he knew why I was staring at him. He knew I recognized him and winked and took his order, good moment In my life, never forget that.

[@alphamail6269]

Rest in peace to the Great Tony Sirico

[@RumbleFish69]

The moment you realize that Tony Sirico was never acting!

[@krtlkid]

He didn't have to when he was part of that lifestyle in his early years

[@coillmor]

Furio kinda looks like Mustang Sally here

[@1darktooth]

I'm glad I just saw your comment, I didn't realize it was him (Furio). I had to rewatch to see it lol.

[@adamspeckert7296]

Yes he does!

[@glenbellefonte9620]

When he was alive, you mean. I hope.

[@scdevon]

"....never happen again, or at least if it does I'll yell fore next time" .

[@neilrafferty2097]

I thought it was him

[@Moe_Lester_fromUptwn]

Furio Cursing a storm in that car while driving off after he got shot😂. Gold.

[@FrankKnights]

Sad to see Uncel Paulie old man like him shouldn’t age

[@shmok3y]

What are you talking about, that guys still a bull

[@vinnyvincent2862]

Tony and the General Reunited again ! ❤🙏🇬🇧

[@vayabroder729]

Pauline Walnuts was my favorite character in the series.

[@crackheadbiden7269]

RIP. This guy and David Chase created one of the best Tv Characters EVER.

[@edallen1921]

Cant believe hes gone. RIP Tony.

[@michaelfontanelli2450]

I miss them both. RIP Tony Sirico and James Gandolfini.

[@DIDDLOTIC]

Nice to see he is much better here than some other interviews

[@mikenova2614]

RIP Tony, he portrayed an amazing character in an amazing tv series.

[@pr0gressd]

Great story. Also Tony Sirico looks really great here, spitting image of Paulie so many years later

[@SonnyGTA]

Actually...Paulie wasn’t a real person. He was a character that Tony Sirico played...so yeah, he’s gonna looks a LOT like him!

[@pr0gressd]

@@SonnyGTA the point of this sentence is that he looks almost as good as when he played Paulie here, it is a compliment

[@Alrightvibe]

@@SonnyGTA Just worry about how YOU'RE fuckin perceived, nobody knows what the future holds...my FRIEND!

[@hasraf8613]

@@Alrightvibe "🤘"

[@oberonmuseumshopservices614]

One day a guy shows up to my video studio in manhattan and sez were doing a thing Michael V. Gazzo a famous guy and a bunch of us. I said ok and from there it was a long rollercoaster ride. Jr. Is the prince of the city. I ain't saying nothing. I love the guy.

[@ddf235]

He played himself all the time, I met him once and I had the impression to interact with Paulie. He was a natural!

[@mojohal879]

R.I.P Tony Sirico(aka Paulie Walnuts)🤟

[@maxmurphy7306]

I wish him a happy and healthy long life, Tony sirico is a good and down to earth person.

[@LightSpeedRecords]

LOVE YOU PAULIE.. ! R.I.P , now up there to party with TONY. Legends forever.

[@johnnymidnight4402]

Please ... I would love to hear more stories ... thank you..

[@SopranosCon]

Johnny Midnight 🍷🍷🍷 full interview coming to VirtualCons.com

[@Khoura]

@@SopranosCon You're kicking up 4 grand to me every month!

[@Godfather9814]

What a great person that really doesn’t seem to have let the fame of being in one of if not the most popular shows ever made get to his head! Looks like the same guy from the street as he was when he was on the street

[@angelastewart7327]

I loved Paulie, RIP...we will miss you

[@nzt3197]

still blows my mind to hear Furio speak perfect english.

[@SeeTheManipulation]

*Just for the record. Tony was the one guy that could tell Jimmy that and mean it considering he was at one time an associate of the Colombo Crime Family. That's what made him such a great actor. Because he didn't have to put much of an effort because he actually lived it once.*

[@Jotinko]

Rest easy Tony Sirico. God bless you and Jimmy.

[@chrisfragomeni6744]

Met Federico a couple of times at a local Denville NJ establishment, awesome, humble, and appreciative of his new found celebrity status!

[@NoNameJ1622]

So lucky

[@danski6694]

The man never left Bay Ridge. Gotta respect that. Only 20 years ago he was starring on the hottest show on Television.

[@antonimartinez9961]

More like 13 years ago. The show was bigger when it ended than when it started.

[@danski6694]

@@antonimartinez9961 you are 100 percent correct! Only 13 years ago

[@DarkandTwisted]

I wonder if it's true that Tony and Vincent Pastore are going to star in a New York gangster comedy?! There was a recent article on it. It stated it was going to be filmed in an eight week time span (Oct - Dec) in Newburgh, New York.

[@patriciahall2223]

Two incredible Actors , I Love you both dearly , God Bless from Canada 🇨🇦

[@relrel310]

the fact that he caught himself believing James Gandolfini was alive for a split second but then had to correct himself, that's gotta be a real hurt

[@amelsfr]

"when I was young, you were old! now I'm old and you are still old!" 😂 😂 he's the best

[@parapoliticos52]

I see Furio has been taking pronunciation lessons. Great to see Tony feeling better.

[@reupbeatz2174]

I didn’t even know Furio was actually American

[@luisvilla799]

No he is actually Italian, raised in America

[@luisvilla799]

@Judgy Judgerton for what to see what indoor plumbing looks like lol

[@zeff2103]

Judgy Judgerton lui non capisce il concetto di origina

[@reupbeatz2174]

Jheez I meant spoke with an American accent I didn’t know it was like this 😂😂😂

[@sharp1667]

He was born in Italy but came to America as a young Kid. But through growing up with Italian parents he was able to master the accent in his role as Furio.

[@Sopranoscrew.311]

Ah I hated to have to say, RIP to Tony Sirico. Sure gonna miss him. Thanks for so many great memories of the best character on tv

[@BroncoKnight34]

God Bless Mr S. Such a great guy and a talented actor!

[@janpol466]

Oh wow, he didn't play Paulie, he is him.

[@getmad8063]

Rest Easy Tony

[@ojmiller1293]

Tony and paulie finally together again. Rest in peace to both the goats 💔

[@TheMyersMaskFan]

Rest In Peace Mr. Sirico

[@haydoncooper3744]

Tony you were are and always be a Legend.Rest In Peace.

[@mikedoss9777]

He should hire an interior decorator.

[@MionMikan]

his house looked like shit!

[@larrymondello8475]

Thank you

[@jovvavas9792]

RIP legend 💔

[@harrycojones4273]

RIP brother!!

[@DoubleDeckerAnton]

Tony Sirico was amazing, in this all star cast. The characters were so realistic, in their own individual ways, with their mannerisms and twitches etc.

[@sonnylambert4893]

Real guy w a real background.

[@martinadrianarcenas867]

he got sad when he said "i was about to say go ask jimmy" 🙁

[@JimSpell]

RIP to this absolute legend

[@colinturner4158]

RIP Tony

[@Pntngbrn]

He was my favorite actor on the Sopranos

[@elpistolero9394]

Actor? He wasn’t acting

[@MichaelGiordano777]

Shine box Phil and Johnny Sacrimoni were my two favorites. Did you know Phil did 20 years in the joint? And ate grill cheese sandwiched off the Radiator?

[@JPMgeo]

RIP, amazing actor and you will be missed.

[@FlixyDesign]

where can i watch the full interview? i can't find it on virtualcons?

[@clc-gl4jn]

Paulie and Foorio!

[@Adamortega_]

When his time came he stood up! RIP

[@Buugzy]

Rip Tony

[@garyolivier792]

Outstanding!! Looking and sounding good Mr. Sirico ! God Bless and thank you for posting this!!

[@chrisxavier3147]

This is great, thanks for posting!

[@tkx86]

Tony Sirico is one of my top 5 actors. Loved him in Sopranos.

[@TheArsenalMan125]

hes not acting he's being him self

[@Floridaburg-]

He’s living in green grove!!? 8k a month for that place

[@Nobody-so9sh]

Died a legend, immortalized in television history forever. Rest easy Mr. Sirico

[@bunny_monster]

Salute

[@usasupersoccer]

LEGEND!

[@kenno6741]

He acctually died yesterday

[@usasupersoccer]

@@kenno6741 I posted this before.

[@jusliving7977]

Rest in Peace Tony

[@marcp3788]

R. I. P Legend

[@DonDimor]

The news of Mr Sirico´s passing hit me like a hard punch in the solar plexius. May he rest in peace.

[@dimitrijetucovic1307]

It's that fckin zip, Furio

[@elmini6662]

How is it that today I watched the episode where he said he had cancer and he dies WTF the universe is speaking to me right now

[@ethanmagagnini5137]

where can we c the whole interview

[@abelpolanco]

Rest In Peace my Brother ! 🙏🏼😔🤌🏼

[@j.m.5744]

Paulie Walnuts was not acting on the Sopranos. On the Sopranos, Paulie's lines may have been written and the story was scripted but Paulie was just being Paulie. Much respect to this legend and I am very blessed to have been able to live thru this time and watch that show when it was happening.

[@denisskenderovic3707]

I had to go to the comments to realize that this is FURIO.

[@Trishula707]

Love you tony sirico god bless you