‘The Sopranos,’ ‘Mean Streets’ star Richard Romanus dead at 80

Actor Richard Romanus has died at the age of 80. “The Sopranos” star died at a Volos, Greece, hospital on Dec. 23, his son Robert confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter . A cause of death has not yet been announced. Romanys played a slew of tough guy characters throughout his career, including Richard LaPenna in “The Sopranos” (1999 2002), Michael Longo in “Mean Streets” (1973) and Harry Canyon in “Heavy Metal” (1981).

He also appeared in “Point of No Return” (1993), “Oscar” (1991) and “Sitting Ducks” (1980), as well as the television series “Mission: Impossible” (1989), “Strike Force” (1991 1982) and “Foul Play” (1981). The actor, born Feb 8, 1943 in Barre, Vermont, earned a philosophy degree in 1964 from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, before heading to law school, only attending for a year before pursuing acting at New York’s Carnegie Hall with fellow actor Lee Strasberg.

Romanus is survived by his son, who he shares with his first wife, actress and singer Tina Bohlmann; his younger brother Robert Romanus, of “Fast Times at Ridgemont High” fame; and his second wife Anthea Sylbert, an Oscar nominated costume designer who he wed in August 1985. Sylbert and Romanus moved to Skiathos, Greece, more than two decades ago, where the couple wrote and produced two Lifetime telefilms — “Giving Up the Ghost” (1998) and “If You Believe” (1999) — and became honorary citizens of Skiathos in 2021.

Romanus also penned multiple books set in the country: “Chrysalis” (2011), “Matoula’s Echo” (2014) and his memoir “Act III: A Small Island in the Aegean” (2011). This is a developing story..