Who did Tony Siragusa play on the Sopranos? Character explored as NFL legend and TV star dies aged 55

Professional footballer Tony Siragusa, also known as Anthony Siragusa Sr., passed away on June 22, 2022, at the age of 55. Apart from football, Siragusa was known for his role as Frankie Cortese in the popular crime drama, The Sopranos.In a statement issued by Siragusa's broadcast agent Jim Ornstein, he said: “This is a really sad day. Tony was way more than my client, he was family. My heart goes out to Tony’s loved ones.”Gerry Sandusky@GerrySanduskyThis is one of the saddest days in Ravens history. The deaths of Jaylen Ferguson and Tony Siragusa on the same day leaves every Ravens fan stunned. A player so young with potential, and a legend who brought so joy and impact to the field. Gone. Tough to wrap your head around.58971223This is one of the saddest days in Ravens history. The deaths of Jaylen Ferguson and Tony Siragusa on the same day leaves every Ravens fan stunned. A player so young with potential, and a legend who brought so joy and impact to the field. Gone. Tough to wrap your head around.Siragusa’s cause of death remains unknown, although a few reports suggest that he died in his sleep. Further details on his funeral are yet to be disclosed.More about Tony Siragusa’s character on The SopranosApart from being a football player, Tony Siragusa was also a talented actor. He gained recognition for his appearance in four episodes of popular crime drama, The Sopranos.His character, Frankie Cortese, was the driver and bodyguard of Tony Soprano. In one episode, titled Irregular Around the Margins, Cortese was the one who restrained Christopher when he pointed a gun at Tony, in the Bing.Jake Elman@JakeElman97Tony Siragusa’s brief time on the Sopranos at least featured him in a memorable scene from a memorable episode. Terrific NFL player and an excellent Bada Bing security guard. RIP Goose @pityforyourself545101Tony Siragusa’s brief time on the Sopranos at least featured him in a memorable scene from a memorable episode. Terrific NFL player and an excellent Bada Bing security guard. RIP Goose @pityforyourself https://t.co/CRCO3ElAO0He also accompanied Tony, Silvio, and Christopher to a tense sit-down with Johnny Sack, Phil Leotardo, and Jimmy Petrille when Tony Blundetto killed Billy Leotardo. Tony, Carlo, and others stayed at Frankie’s wife’s house while they were hiding from Phil Leotardo.Fans pay tribute on TwitterTony Siragusa, also known as &quot;The Goose&quot;, had become a familiar name among the public in all his years as a football player and actor. Twitter was flooded with tributes when people heard about his demise:Ari Meirov@MySportsUpdateFormer #Ravens/#Colts DT and FOX sideline analyst Tony Siragusa has passed away at the age of 55.RIP Goose.118041837Former #Ravens/#Colts DT and FOX sideline analyst Tony Siragusa has passed away at the age of 55.RIP Goose. https://t.co/RsFZX3T2fADamon Amendolara@DAonCBSWell before social media and “building your brand,” Tony Siragusa used Super Bowl XXXV to become a media star. He leveraged his wild persona to become a broadcaster, actor and pitchman. He even landed on The Sopranos. He was so savvy and such a character. RIP Goose.1152253Well before social media and “building your brand,” Tony Siragusa used Super Bowl XXXV to become a media star. He leveraged his wild persona to become a broadcaster, actor and pitchman. He even landed on The Sopranos. He was so savvy and such a character. RIP Goose. https://t.co/YqUKRDMMY9Stavros Halkias (Full Special Out Now!)@stavvybabyRIP Tony Siragusa. I was in 6th grade when the Ravens won their first Super Bowl and I can’t tell you how much he meant to me as a fat loudmouthed Mediterranean child growing up in Baltimore. Rest easy, Goose12816626RIP Tony Siragusa. I was in 6th grade when the Ravens won their first Super Bowl and I can’t tell you how much he meant to me as a fat loudmouthed Mediterranean child growing up in Baltimore. Rest easy, Goose https://t.co/Uj6x2rLAHFJonas Shaffer@jonas_shafferTony Siragusa, a defensive anchor on the Ravens' Super Bowl XXXV team, was 55 and had so much more life to live.Over the past few months, he celebrated the Ravens' , watched his son graduate from Villanova, attended a @NYRangers playoff game and been inducted into a N.J. HOF.43270Tony Siragusa, a defensive anchor on the Ravens' Super Bowl XXXV team, was 55 and had so much more life to live.Over the past few months, he celebrated the Ravens' 🏆, watched his son graduate from Villanova, attended a @NYRangers playoff game and been inducted into a N.J. HOF. https://t.co/uxB69lETZIKevin Boilard@KevinBoilardTony Siragusa was the original star of Hard Knocks.RIP to a legend 16729Tony Siragusa was the original star of Hard Knocks.RIP to a legend 🙏 https://t.co/w5SDx2I5m3Julia Palazzo@JuliaPalazzoTVMy dad has called Tony Siragusa a friend for 20+ years. My brother and I first met him in 2003 when he gave us the chance to act in a Halloween segment for The NFL Show. I’ll never forget it. RIP Goose I’m shocked &amp; heartbroken for his family. Please keep them in your prayers.12210My dad has called Tony Siragusa a friend for 20+ years. My brother and I first met him in 2003 when he gave us the chance to act in a Halloween segment for The NFL Show. I’ll never forget it. RIP Goose 💔 I’m shocked &amp; heartbroken for his family. Please keep them in your prayers. https://t.co/ywr7PL6PYDDonny Football@DonChed54RIP Tony Siragusa.“Goose”Undrafted to starter on one of the most dominant defenses of all-time.Tony Soprano’s bodyguard.“If I wanted to learn a school song,would've gone to Notre Dame orPenn State. I want to kill people on the football field. That's why I came to Pitt.”14128RIP Tony Siragusa.“Goose”Undrafted to starter on one of the most dominant defenses of all-time.Tony Soprano’s bodyguard.“If I wanted to learn a school song,would've gone to Notre Dame orPenn State. I want to kill people on the football field. That's why I came to Pitt.” https://t.co/c1jYhnWIPcWarren Sharp@SharpFootballthis is chillingTony Siragusa just passed away at 55 years oldhere he is talking about his dad’s heart attack at age 48 &amp; how he held his dad in his arms as he passedTony talking about his own mortality &amp; wanting Sinatra played is RIP Goosetwitter.com/jjjjjjvideo/st…2332424this is chillingTony Siragusa just passed away at 55 years oldhere he is talking about his dad’s heart attack at age 48 &amp; how he held his dad in his arms as he passedTony talking about his own mortality &amp; wanting Sinatra played is 💔RIP Goosetwitter.com/jjjjjjvideo/st…Jason La Canfora@JasonLaCanforaTremendously sad day in Baltimore with the loss of Tony Siragusa and Jaylon Ferguson. RIP680109Tremendously sad day in Baltimore with the loss of Tony Siragusa and Jaylon Ferguson. RIPEverything known about Tony SiragusaTony Siragusa was signed as a defensive tackle by the Indianapolis Colts. He played 13 games, started six, and recorded one sack, 36 total tackles, and one fumble recovery as a rookie.He was an important part of the Colts team that lost the 1995 AFC Championship Game. He left the team after coach Ted Marchibroda gave him a no-raise and no-extension contract.Siragusa visits 'The Opie &amp; Anthony Show' at SiriusXM Studio (Image via Astrid Stawiarz/Getty Images)Siragusa was part of the 2000 Baltimore Ravens defense that allowed the fewest total points in NFL history for the 16-game season. He was then fined $10,000 for illegally hitting Oakland Raiders quarterback Rich Gannon, which left Gannon injured during the 2000 AFC title game.He led the Ravens to their first Super Bowl during Super Bowl XXXV where they defeated the New York Giants. He retired after the 2001 season and worked as a sideline reporter and analyst for Fox during NFL games.He played a minor role in The Sopranos and the 2002 drama film, 25th Hour. That apart, he collaborated with Michael Romanelli and launched a restaurant chain, called Tiff’s. He was also the host of a Discovery Channel documentary, Megamachines.He is survived by his wife Kathy and three children – Samantha, Ava, and Anthony Jr.

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