Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Joseph Siravo death: The Sopranos star dies aged 64

A number of the late actor’s friends and co-stars have paid tribute

Roisin O'Connor
Monday 12 April 2021 03:26 EDT
Comments
Actor Joseph Siravo has died
Actor Joseph Siravo has died (Dave Allocca/Starpix/Shutterstock)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The Sopranos star Joseph Siravo has died aged 64, from cancer.

Siravo was best known for portraying Tony Soprano’s father, Giovanni Francis “Johnny” Soprano, in the hit series.

He was cast in 1999 and appeared in flashback scenes for five episodes that portrayed Tony’s troubled relationship with his parents.

In 2016, he played Fred Goldman, father of the murdered waiter Ronald Goldman, in The People v OJ Simpson: American Crime Story.

Siravo’s daughter, Allegra Okarmus, confirmed the news of his death on social media, writing: “I was by his side when my dear father passed away this morning, peacefully, in his beloved Treehouse.

“We are both so lucky to be so intensely loved. I am so immensely grateful to have had him here on earth and I know that he hasn’t gone very far. He had many credits, but his favourite one by far was that of Nonno Joe.”

She shared a number of photos of Sivaro with her as a baby, and with his grandchild.

Fellow actor Garry Pastore, who also appeared in The Sopranos in 2004, shared a photo of Siravo from his Instagram page and wrote: “RIP my dear friend, who fought an incredible fight. I will miss you. See you on the other side.”

“Oh wow RIP,” responded actor Lillo Brancato Jr, who played young mobster Matthew Bevilaqua on the series.

Maureen Van Zandt, who also featured in The Sopranos, shared a photo of Siravo on Twitter and sent her “deepest condolences” to his family and friends.

“Just heard Joe passed away,” she wrote. “A talented and lovely man. A perfect Johnny Boy Soprano. Took this at the workshop of Piece of My Heart, [Broadway] show about Bert Berns. Deepest condolences to his family and friends.”

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in