"Sopranos" gangster: Paul Herman dies at the age of 76

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Paul Herman with James Gandolfini in The Sopranos

Photo: Moviestore Collection / mauritius images / Alamy

US actor Paul Herman has died at the age of 76.

According to media reports from the "Evening Standard" and the "Daily Mail", the actor died on his birthday.

"Our friend and colleague Paul Hermann has left us," confirmed his fellow actor Michael Imperoli on Instagram.

The circumstances of his death are so far unclear.

“Paulie has lived around the corner from me for the past few years,” says Imperoli.

'I'm glad we were able to spend some time together before he left.

I will miss him."

Herman is best known for his appearances as a gangster in films like "American Hustle" or "Goodfellas".

He was also seen in the two drama films »Crazy Heart« and »The Color of Money« as well as in the US crime thriller »The Irishman«, together with Robert de Niro.

Imperoli praises him as a "first rate storyteller" and "damn good actor".

In the mafia series "The Sopranos" he was in front of the camera in several episodes with Imperoli.

There he played Peter "Beansie" Gaeta, who runs his own pizza chain after a career as a drug dealer.

Actress Loraine Bracco also said goodbye to Herman on her Twitter account.

Bracco played mafia boss Tony Soprano's therapist on The Sopranos.

"A loving soul with a great sense of humor," wrote Bracco.

"Rest in peace."

The US film series "The Sopranos" tells the story of the Soprano mafia family - with James Gandolfini in the leading role of Tony Soprano.

The series had a total of six seasons until 2007.