On Friday, Hollywood lost one of its most famed mobster-playing actors. Actor Tony Lip, best known for his role as crime boss Carmine Lupertazzi in the hit HBO series The Sopranos, passed away Friday in Teaneck, N.J., The Associated Press reports via The New York Times. Lip, who was born Frank Anthony Vallelonga, died at the age of 82 after years of poor health.
Lip was a renowned actor, especially when it came to playing mafioso roles. Besides The Sopranos, he secured the role of real-life Bonanno family gangster Philip Giaccone in Donnie Brasco. He also played Lucchese crime family member Francesco Manzo in Goodfellas. Lip even made his debut film role in The Godfather, after meeting Francis Ford Coppola and Louis DiGiamo at Copacabana Nightclub in New York City.
Lip was born in Beaver Falls, Penn., but grew up in The Bronx. He got his nickname in 1938 because he could out-talk anyone. Lip is survived by his sons Nick Vallelonga and Frank Vallelonga Jr. and one grandson.
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[Photo Credit: HBO]
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