He was an associate of Tony's father, John Francis 'Johnny Boy' Soprano until he supported Johnny during the unrest of 1983. He operated an auto body shop with his brother Edward 'Duke' Bonpensiero. He was called 'Big Pussy' to distinguish from Gennaro 'Little Pussy' Malenga.
The son of Lino Bonpensiero, Salvatore Bonpensiero started out as a cat burglar, and was affectionately known as Pussy, in reference to those talents. Samson Moeakiola portrays a young Bonpensiero in the 2021 prequel film, The Many Saints of Newark. In the tie-in video game it is revealed he has an illegitimate son named Joey LaRocca. Big Pussy was a longtime close friend and mob enforcer for Tony Soprano, and was also shown to be close friends with fellow DiMeo crime family mobsters Paulie 'Paulie Walnuts' Gualtieri, Silvio Dante, and was once a close friend to Tony's uncle Corrado 'Junior' Soprano. Salvatore 'Big Pussy' Bonpensiero is played by Vincent Pastore. Main article: Junior Soprano Salvatore 'Big Pussy' Bonpensiero 1.2.19 Robert 'Bobby Bacala' Baccalieri.1.2.6 Salvatore 'Big Pussy' Bonpensiero.
