On Tuesday, the character actor best recognized for playing “The Sopranos” club owner Peter “Beansie” Gaeta, Herman, died. His “Sopranos” co-star Michael Imperioli confirmed his death in an Instagram post. He was 76 years old at the time of his death. The cause of death has not yet been revealed.
“Paulie was a wonderful individual,” said Imperioli on Instagram. “He was a fantastic actor and storyteller as well as a great narrator.” ‘Goodfellas,’ ‘Once Upon A Time In America,’ ‘The Irishman,’ and, of course, ‘The Sopranos’ are just a few of his notable roles. Paulie lived around the block from me for a few years; I’m going to miss him. Our sincere sympathies go out to his family, friends, and fellow performers and filmmakers in our community.” Paul Herman Obituary, The Sopranos and Goodfellas actor, dies at 76.
Obituary: Paul Herman, The Sopranos and Goodfellas actor, dies at 76
“I am very heartbroken about the demise of Paul Herman,” Herman’s “Goodfellas” co-star Robert De Niro stated in a statement to Variety. He was a fantastic actor and a great friend. All who knew and loved him, as well as the profession he so proudly served via the excellence of his work, will miss him.”
“Dear Mr. Wonderful,” a 1982 comedy film starring Joe Pesci, was Herman’s debut film credit. “Once Upon a Time in America,” “The Purple Rose of Cairo,” “The Cotton Club,” “Big,” “Bullets During Broadway,” “Heat,” and “Analyze That” were among the many high-profile films he would act in over the next two decades, many of which were mob or crime flicks. He also appeared in guest appearances on TV shows such as “The Equalizer” and “Miami Vice.” Martin Scorsese’s frequent collaborator, Herman initially worked with the filmmaker in the 1986 sports drama “The Color of Money.” Over the years, he would appear in many more Scorsese films, including “The Last Temptation of Christ,” “Goodfellas,” and “Casino.”
Beansie, a former heroin dealer and ally of the DiMeo crime family, was played by Herman in five episodes of “The Sopranos.” He first appeared on the show in Season 2 for a three-episode arc, then returned in Seasons 4 and 6 as a guest star. Beansie was savagely beaten by his erstwhile friend Richie Aprile (David Proval) in his most famous scene from the programme, who threw a pot of coffee on him and ran him over with a car.
Following “The Sopranos,” Herman had a recurring appearance on “Entourage” as Marvin, Vince Chase’s accountant (Adrian Grenier). He also appeared in “Silver Linings Playbook” and “American Hustle” as a supporting actor. In 2019, he would reconnect with Scorsese for his final performance as mobster Whispers DiTullio in “The Irishman.”
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