Bo Dietl reveals late pal Vincent Pastore’s heartbreaking reaction to being killed off ‘Sopranos’: ‘Like he died in real life’

The late Vincent Pastore was so devastated when he was killed off “The Sopranos,” he felt like he was sleeping with the fishes.

“He was sad when he was whacked on ‘The Sopranos,’ he was really upset. In a way, it was like he died in real life,” his longtime pal Bo Dietl, 75, exclusively told Page Six.

Pastore — who died Aug. 1 at 80 — portrayed Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero on the HBO hit from 1999 to 2007, appearing in 30 episodes.

Bo Dietl and Vincent Pastore
Bo Dietl, pictured in 2017 with late friend Vincent Pastore, discussed how the actor reacted to his “Sopranos” death. WireImage
Tony Sirico, Vincent Pastore, and Michael Imperioli on set for
Pastore, pictured on Season 2 of “The Sopranos” with Tony Sirico and Michael Imperioli, was devastated by his character’s death. HBO

However, his appearances were relegated to sporadic dreams and flashbacks after his character’s death in the Season 2 finale in April 2000.

The legendary NYPD detective-turned-private investigator, who has also been acting for more than 30 years, first worked with Pastore in Martin Scorsese’s mob masterpiece “Goodfellas” in 1990.

The two also appeared together in “Carlito’s Way” and, most recently, “Gravesend,” in 2025, which is the last time Dietl last spent time with Pastore.

Bo Dietl, Sid Rosenberg, Chazz Palminteri, and Vincent Pastore on the set of
Happier times on the “Gravesend” set with Sid Rosenberg, Chazz Palminteri, and Vincent Pastore, in a photo posted by Bo Dietl in August 2026. bodietl/Instagram
Vincent Pastore
Known for playing hardened criminals, Pastore (pictured in 2024) did not want his run on The Sopranos to end. Getty Images

Dietl described a lively dinner that also included his “Gravesend” co-star Chazz Palminteri.

“Vincent was in good spirits last time I saw him, me, him and Chaz … it was just like old times.” Dietl stated, adding that his friend seemed to be happy and doing well at the time.

“He was a great guy that everyone liked,” Dietl said before mournfully adding, “He should have been cast in a lot of other movies, he was a great actor.”

When not acting alongside real-life or fictional criminals, Dietl serves as a member of President Trump’s Homeland Security Advisory Council.

Bo Dietl
Dietl, pictured in 2025, laments that Pastore did not appear in more films. Getty Images
Actor and musician Stevie Van Zandt and other pallbearers carry the casket of actor Vincent Pastore
Pastore was laid to rest by his “The Sopranos” co-star Steven Van Zandt and others Thursday. James Keivom for NY Post

Over 100 mourners said their final goodbyes during Pastore’s funeral Thursday at the Holy Family Church in New Rochelle.

A veteran of the Vietnam War, Pastore was carried out of the church in a coffin draped with the American flag.

He is survived by one daughter, Renee Pastore, who encouraged funeralgoers “to pass on what he has given to you” through acts of kindness during her father’s eulogy.