Yes, Tony Sirico will be always best known as “Paulie Walnuts” in The Sopranos, but the late actor who passed away this week at the age of 79 will also be known as a pivotal part of one of the biggest Family Guy serial moments in history.
In 2013, Family Guy featured a three episode arc where Brian Griffin died so the Griffin family adopts a new dog, “Vinny”. While at first this appeared to be a permanent addition to the show, Vinny would leave after a couple of episodes leading to an episode seeing Stewie going back in time and helping Brian avoid his uncertain demise. In the fifteenth season premiere, Vinny would return in a short gag, but in one where we got to see Vinny had a happy ending.
We loved Vinny, and there were numerous fans of Family Guy who even wanted the character to make a permanent return, which, unfortunately, never happened.
We offer our condolences to the family of Tony Sirico, but also remember that he was one of the biggest recurring animation stars to have ever have done it.