Tony Sirico voiced the character of Vinny Griffin on Family Guy (2013-2016). Genaro Anthony Sirico Jr, also known as Tony Sirico, is an American actor best known for his high-profile role as Paulie Walnuts Gualtieri on HBO's hit crime drama The Sopranos.
Family Guy is an animated comedy series. The show is Seth MacFarlane’s creation for the Fox Broadcasting Company. The series premiered on January 31, 1999. It focuses on the dysfunction of the Griffin family, which resides in Quahog, Rhode Island. The family comprises Peter and Lois as parents, Meg and Chris as children, Stewie, a baby genius, and their talking family dog, Brian.
The show has received positive reviews since its debut. The show in 2009 was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Comedy Series category. This nomination was significant as it was the first time an animated show had been nominated for this award since The Flintstones in 1961.
Why did Tony Sirico leave Family Guy?
In the 12th season episode titled Life of Brian, Seth MacFarlane and his writing team decided to add an unexpected twist to Family Guy. The twist came with the death of Brian, the Griffins' family dog, after being run over by a car. This twist led to the family adopting a new dog called Vinny, voiced by actor Tony Sirico.
Unlike Brian, Vinny was more of a street-smart dog, bringing a different comedic dynamic to the family. However, his time with the Griffins was short-lived, lasting only a few episodes. Long-time fans didn't take Brian's death too well. Following all the headlines, social media reactions, and online petitions, MacFarlane and his team decided to bring Brian back.
He had successfully shown people that anything could still happen in the show. Brian's re-entry to the show ultimately meant the end for Vinny and Tony Sirico's character.
When did Tony Sirico return to Family Guy?
Family Guy's producer was so impressed with Tony Sirico's performance as Vinny that he wanted the character to return for season 13. In the time-traveling episode entitled Stewie, Chris & Brian's Excellent Adventure, Sirico briefly appeared as himself in a live-action.
Tony Sirico eventually returned in the 15th season episode The Boys In The Band. In the episode, the ex-family dog, Vinny, sings with famous toddler Olivia Fuller after she has stolen Brian and Stewie's musical band.
Is Family Guy still running in 2024?
Yes, Family Guy is still on the air in 2024. The animated series will enter its 23rd season and return on October 14, 2024. New episodes will air on Wednesdays instead of Sundays.
The show started big and soon became a competitor of The Simpsons as one of the top animated shows for adults. The show has become a staple of American humor, offering edgy jokes, quirky characters, and a strong satire. Since its inception, the show has won over audiences with its unique blend of humor, making it one of the longest-running animated shows on television.
When did Tony Sirico die?
Actor Tony Sirico died at the age of 79 on July 8, 2022. His manager, Bob McGowan, made the news public that the actor had died at an assisted living home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Talking about the cause of his death, McGowan said:
"He couldn’t remember things as the years passed, he had been in failing health."
All previous episodes of Family Guy are currently available to stream on Hulu.
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