Northern Ireland

Sopranos actor Joseph Siravo dies aged 64

THE Sopranos actor Joseph Siravo has died aged 64.

He appeared in flashbacks to the sixties as lead character Tony Soprano's father, with whom he had a troubled relationship.

His daughter Allegra Okarmus confirmed the news of his death on Instagram.

"I was by his side when my dear father passed away this morning, peacefully, in his beloved Treehouse," she wrote.

"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 also featured in the Tony Award-winning stage musical Jersey Boys, as well as popular The People v OJ Simpson serial.

`The Sopranos' ran for six seasons from 1999 to 2007, winning multiple Emmy and Golden Globe awards.

Stars of the show paid tribute online, including Garry Pastore who played Jerry Basile of the fictional Mafia Lupertazzi crime family.

"RIP my dear friend, who fought an incredible fight. I will miss you. See you on the other side." he wrote.

Maureen Van Zandt, who played Gabriella Dante, shared a picture of Siravo with her husband Steven who played Silvio, describing him as "a talented and lovely man".

Siravo made his on-screen debut in the 1993 film Carlito's Way and later appeared more than 2,000 times as the character Gyp DeCarlo in the first national tour of the musical `Jersey Boys'.