Paul Herman dead at 76 – The Sopranos, Goodfellas & Silver Linings Playbook actor passes away as castmates pay tribute
LEGENDARY Sopranos and Goodfellas star Paul Herman has died at the age of 76 as castmates have paid glowing tributes.
The screen star, of Brooklyn, New York, passed away on his birthday – March 29.
Herman was best known for playing Peter “Beansie” Gaeta in The Sopranos.
His passing was confirmed by fellow star Michael Imperioli – who played Christopher Moltisanti in the HBO crime drama.
Imperioli said on Instagram: “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 Irishman, and of course The Sopranos are some highlights.
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“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 community of actors and filmmakers.”
Herman also starred in Goodfellas and The Irishman alongside Robert De Niro.
Lorraine Bracco, who played Karen Hill in Goodfellas, said: “The one and only. A loving soul with a great sense of humor, Paulie Herman. REST IN PEACE.”
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Actress Debi Mazar, who started her career with a supporting role in Goodfellas, said she had a “long history” with Herman that dated back to the 1980s.
British-American star Frances Fisher branded the actor’s death an “end of an era”.
She said: “Paulie Herman – Beloved by All. From the old NYC days at Cafe Central & Columbus to the West Coast nights at Ago, Paulie always had a smile and a table.
“Decades of memories in every conceivable haunt and hamlet. An actor, a horseman, a man about town, a bit of a health nut, a bottom line trusted friend.”
American actor Kevin Corrigan said Herman was “great” in the David O’Russell dramedy Silver Linings Playbook.
TRIBUTES POUR IN
Fans have also paid their own tribute to the Sopranos star.
One said: “Loved him as Beansie but also his three roles in New York Stories. So sad.”
While another commented: “Always enjoyed his memorable performances.”
And, a third said: “RIP. Great character actor. In addition to his role as Beansie, I loved his small part in ‘The Daytrippers’.”
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He also appeared in the Martin Scorcese movies The Color of Money and the 1995 film Casino.
Herman appeared in more than a dozen De Niro movies including Falling in Love, Once Upon a Time in America, Little Fockers, and American Hustle.
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