FRANK VINCENT WAS SOMEONE SCORSESE

Filmmaker Martin Scorsese paid a moving tribute to his “good friend” Frank Vincent, who died on Wednesday

Martin Scorsese, who directed actor Frank Vincent three times, in Raging Bull (1980), Goodfellas (1990), and Casino (1995), has come out with a heartfelt tribute in writing for his dear friend.

“Frank Vincent was someone I could count on. He was a natural who was at ease in front of the camera on a set or on a stage. He made it look easy in all respects. He was genuine,” Scorsese wrote in a statement.

Vincent died on Wednesday of complications from heart surgery. He was 78.

Scorsese’s statement continued, “We worked together on three pictures, each time with his old partner Joe Pesci, and I always marveled at his genius for improvisation. He was a hard-working actor, he understood the world we were portraying so well that he really didn't appear to be acting at all.”

The filmmaker concluded by saying, “I will always marvel at his artistry, and consider myself lucky to have had the chance to work with him and to know him.”

Scorsese is the latest Hollywood figure to pay tribute to Vincent. Actor Frank Sirico, who worked with Vincent on the popular TV show The Sopranos, also gave an endearing message for the late star.

“All I can say is we had a lot of fun. On the show, his character was working with another mob and I didn’t get a piece of the action with Frank before Leotardo [Vincent’s character] died. But, everybody loved Frankie,” said Sirico.

Frank Vincent was 78.