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Paul Herman, the actor best known for his roles inTheSopranosandGoodfellas, died on his 76th birthday Tuesday.
Michael Imperioli, a former Sopranos cast member, announced news of Herman’s death in anInstagram poston Tuesday.
“Our friend and colleague Paul Herman has passed away. Paulie was just a great dude. A first class storyteller and raconteur and one hell of an actor.Goodfellas, Once Upon a Time in America, The Irishmanand of courseThe Sopranosare some highlights,” wrote Imperioli.
“Paulie lived around the corner from me the last few years and I am glad we got to spend some time together before he left us. I’ll miss him. Lots of love to his family, friends and our community of actors and filmmakers,” he concluded.
In a statement to PEOPLE, Robert De Niro mourned the loss of his friend.
“I am very sad about the passing of Paul Herman. He was a wonderful actor as well as a dear friend,” he said in the statement.
The cause of Herman’s death has not been released, according to multiple outlets.
InTheSopranos, Herman played Peter “Beansie” Gaeta and was known as The Pittsburgh Connection inGoodfellas.
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In aTwitter poston Tuesday, Lorraine Bracco who played Jennifer Melfi, the psychiatrist of Tony Soprano inTheSopranosshared a moving tribute to the actor. “The one and only. A loving soul with a great sense of humor, Paulie Herman. Rest in peace,” she wrote with broken heart emojis.
He also starred in the HBO seriesEntourageas well asQuick Change,At Close Range, We Own the Night, Heat,The Fan,Crazy Heart,Sleepers,Cop Land,American Hustle,Analyze ThatandThe Day Trippersamong other projects.
source: people.com
