Robert LuPone, known for his recurring role on hit TV show The Sopranos, has died aged 76 following a three-year battle with pancreatic cancer.
The news of the actor's death was shared by off-Broadway MCC Theatre - which he helped founded - who paid a touching tribute.
The statement read: “The MCC Theater community mourns the loss of our much loved and uniquely inspiring partner, colleague, and dear friend, Bob LuPone, who lived fearlessly and with great curiosity, good humor, a boundless passion for connection, and a whole lot of heart. We will miss him deeply and always."
Brother of theatre icon Patti LuPone, Robert played Bruce "Cooze" Cusamano, neighbour and family doctor of the notorious mobster Tony Soprano, in the iconic HBO Mob drama.
The veteran TV actor and Broadway star also appeared in another HBO classic, as neighbour to TV sex symbol Samantha Jones in Sex and The City.
LuPone starred in multiple US soap operas, which included Guiding Light and All My Children, earning a Daytime Emmy nomination fort the latter.
Throughout his career he performed in a number of Broadway shows, including the original line-up of Chorus Line, which he gained a Tony Award nomination for, the Mirror reports.
Other Broadway credits include A View from the Bridge, True West, Minnie's Boys, The Magic Show, and others.
The TV veteran was also founder of the off-Broadway MCC Theatre, which shared the news of his death and paid a touching tribute.
The statement read: “The MCC Theater community mourns the loss of our much loved and uniquely inspiring partner, colleague, and dear friend, Bob LuPone, who lived fearlessly and with great curiosity, good humor, a boundless passion for connection, and a whole lot of heart. We will miss him deeply and always."
According to Deadline, LuPone led MCC along with Bernie Tesley and Will Cantler for nearly 40 years, producing shows like Frozen, Hand to God and the Pulitzer Prize-winning Wit.
The publication reported he had a three-year battle with pancreatic cancer. The Sopranos actor graduated from Juilliard in 1968, landing his Broadway debut that same year in Noel Coward's Sweet Potato.
Tributes poured in after news of his death from fans and former colleagues. One person said: "Very sad to hear of Bobby Lupone’s passing. So much talent and heart in one lovely man. He will be missed."
A twitter account called The Sopranos Club paid homage to LuPone's role in the series, writing: "Surprisingly, the character Dr Bruce Cusamano was only in The Sopranos for 6 episodes. "However, he fitted the role perfectly and it felt like so many more. Robert was also leader of the off-Broadway company MCC Theatre."
Another person, who had been taught by LuPone, said: "Noooooo! Robert LuPone passed away.
"He was the first original Zach in A Chorus Line, he was in many other things like commercials, guest appearance on SATC, and one of my teachers at The New School when it came to public speaking. Thank you, Bob & Rest In Peace!"
A fourth person said: "Sad to hear about the passing of Robert LuPone. My condolences to Patti and his the rest of his family. He was a talented, and humble man I was honored to know."
LuPone is survived by his wife and son, as well as sister Patti and brother William."
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