Joseph Siravo Dies: ‘The Sopranos’, ‘Jersey Boys’ & ‘American Crime Story’ Actor Was 66

Joseph Siravo, best known for his roles as Tony Soprano’s father in The Sopranos, Fred Goldman in American Crime Story: The People v O.J. Simpson and stage musical Jersey Boys, has died, according to family. He was 66.

Siravo died Sunday after a long battle with cancer. The BBC quoted his daughter Allegra Okarmus, who wrote on Instagram: “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.”

Siravo’s character in HBO smash The Sopranos appeared in flashbacks to the 1960s as Tony’s father, Johnny, with whom he had a difficult relationship.

On stage, he clocked up more than 2,000 performances as character Gyp DeCarlo in the first U.S. tour of hit musical Jersey Boys from 2006 onward. His other work on Broadway included the Tony-winning productions of Oslo and The Light in the Piazza.

His most recent supporting roles included ABC series For Life and Amazon’s well-received feature The Report with Adam Driver.

Siravo’s Sopranos collaborators have been among those to post about the actor’s passing.

“Joe was an excellent actor and a wonderful guy and he will be missed dearly,” Michael Imperioli said on Instagram. “His performance [as] Johnny Boy Soprano was spot on and he also made a perfect John Gotti in Nick Sandow’s The Wannabe. In my opinion, he was the best of all the actors who’ve played the Teflon Don.”

“RIP my dear friend, who fought an incredible fight,” said Garry Pastore. “I will miss you. See you on the other side.”

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Maureen Van Zandt shared a picture of the late actor on Twitter, describing him as “a talented and lovely man”.