Exclusive Photo: Remembering Frank Vincent of ‘The Sopranos’ & ‘Goodfellas,’ Dead at 80

CHICAGO – Frank Vincent always looked good, no matter what role he was playing, but he mostly portrayed mafia types, and was styling as those guys as well… he even wrote a book on dress, “A Guy’s Guide to Being a Better Man.” He was best known as Phil Leotardo on the legendary HBO series, “The Sopranos,” and he passed away at age 80 in New Jersey on September 13th, 2017.

Frank Vincent of ‘The Sopranos’ in Chicago
Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

He was born in Jersey, and started his career as a musician, until he began acting in 1976, making his premiere in a low budget gangster film, “The Death Collector.” That appearance caught the attention of director Martin Scorsese, who cast Vincent in “Raging Bull.” That led to a TV and film career portraying mobsters and tough guys, but Vincent stood out because of his sartorial splendor. He worked for Scorsese next in “Goodfellas” (1990) and “Casino” (1996), but also was in roles as diverse as “Isn’t She Great” (2000), voice work in the videogame series “Grand Theft Auto” and in a lead role as Lou Marazano in “Chicago Overcoat” (2009). His role as Phil Leotardo on “The Sopranos” got him the most recognition… he joined the show in 2004, and was part of the series until the end in 2007.

Vincent is survived by his wife of 47 years and three children. He shaved a couple years off of his birthdate early in his career, but he was actually born in 1937, and was age 80 when he passed away. Photographer Joe Arce of HollywoodChicago.com publishes this Exclusive Portrait of Frank Vincent for the first time. HollywoodChicago.com talked to the actor briefly in 2010 as the ‘Hollywood Collectors Show” (now The Hollywood Show), and the exchange is reprinted below.

HollywoodChicago.com: You have a strong relationship with the great director Martin Scorsese. What is different about him now than when you first worked with him in 1980?

Frank Vincent: It was apparent that he was a different type of filmmaker and that he was brilliant. As his career has grown, he has matured as a director. His influence is well known, and he makes great movies.

HollywoodChicago.com: You’ve written a book on men’s style and how to be a man’s man. What do you think is missing in men today that are making them less ‘manly,’ for lack of a better term?

Vincent: They’re assh*les. In writing the book [”A Guy’s Guide to Being a Man”] with my co-author Steven Priggé, we found they don’t know how to dress or groom themselves.

HollywoodChicago.com: Finally, your performance in the recent ‘Chicago Overcoat’ is a gem. What did you understand about the character of Lou and how did you try to convey that characteristic in the film?

Vincent: The character of Lou Marazano is that of a has-been when the film starts. He just wanted to do something good for his daughter and grandson. He figured the only thing he wanted to do was what he did [hired hitman]. And that’s why he came back to do it again. It was a different kind of mob guy for me, he was downtrodden. The role was very well written, produced and directed.

[23]	By PATRICK McDONALD [24] Writer, Editorial Coordinator HollywoodChicago.com pat@hollywoodchicago.com [23]