Frank Vincent: The Sopranos, Goodfellas actor dies at 78

He also starred in Martin Scorsese films Raging Bull, Goodfellas and Casino

Frank Vincent, best known as Phil Leotardo in HBO series The Sopranos, has died at the age of 78.

The actor's Sopranos co-star Vincent Pastore - who played Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero - announced the news on Facebook, revealing he had passed away due to complications of heart surgery following a heart attack.

Vincent's career spanned four decades, kick-started by a role in crime film The Death Collector alongside Joe Pesci in 1976. He'd go on to collaborate with the actor several more times in Martin Scorsese films Raging Bull, Goodfellas - as the memorable Billy Batts - and Casino.

He reprised his role in the latter in the music video for Nas' song 'Street Dreams' in 1996.

The actor went on to appear in 30 episodes of David Chase's seminal drama series The Sopranos, playing the boss of the Lupertazzi crime family from its fifth season in 2004 right up until the series finale in 2007, serving as the show's climactic antagonist.

Vincent's other credits include Spike Lee films Do the Right Thing and Jungle Fever.