'The Sopranos' Actor Robert LuPone Dies After Years Of Battling Pancreatic Cancer

Hollywood veteran Robert "Bob" LuPone has passed away.

The Brooklyn native was best known for his Broadway performances such as "A Thousand Clowns," "A View from the Bridge," "True West," Saint Joan," "Late Nite Comic," and "The Magic Show."

Additionally, he appeared in various television programs, including "The Sopranos," "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," the NBC musical "Smash," and the drama "Billions" on Showtime.

In recent years, the actor has been away from the acting scene, seemingly due to his battle with pancreatic cancer. It was recently announced that LuPone has passed away and is survived by his wife Virginia, son Orlando, sister Patti, and brother William.

LuPone passed away over the weekend after battling pancreatic cancer for three years. His demise came at the age of 76, 42 years after he helped form the Manhattan Class Company, popularly known as MCC Theater.

The theater house issued an official statement about the Broadway icon's death and paid tribute to him for his impact on the Great White Way over the years.

"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," the statement read, per Page Six.

Throughout his career, LuPone performed in a variety of Broadway productions, including the first run of "A Chorus Line," for which he was nominated for a Tony Award. His other credits include "Minnie's Boys," "The Rothschilds," "The Magic Show," "A View from the Bridge," "True West," and "A Thousand Clowns," among others.

Following LuPone's death, showrunners Bernie Telsey and Will Cantler, who helped the Broadway icon shape MCC into the theatrical powerhouse it is today, also issued an emotional eulogy to him in a letter posted on their official website.

The letter read in part, "Bob was a force, an advocate, complex in the richest ways, overflowing with a youthful enthusiasm, and deeply wise as he looked into our souls. He was our best friend. It is hard to believe that we will never sit down with him again and say, let's talk."

The trio had met in the early 1980's, and their passion for the art inspired them to combine forces to create MCC. Over the years, the theatre house has produced productions like "Frozen," "Reasons to be Pretty," "Hand to God," "the African Mean Girls Play," "The Snow Geese," "The Other Place," and the award-winning "Wit."

On MCC's official Instagram page, fans of the Broadway icon also sent in their tribute to mourn his shocking demise. The comments were penned in a post from the theater house, which also showed off different pictures of LuPone from over the years.

"Such loss. Bob was a true gent with a huge heart. He will be missed. We are lucky to have known him," one fan said.

"My condolences to his family, friends, and artists he came in contact with. Still remember our last conversation," another fan mentioned.

"So sorry to read this. He was a life force on and off the stage. A man who was fiercely passionate about his artistic vision and so deeply dedicated to his love of theater," one more fan commented.

"What awful news. I have such fond memories of the early days and your camaraderie. His passion and enthusiasm was so infectious," Another fan mourned.

LuPone, who was born in Brooklyn on July 29th, 1946, dedicated his life to the arts, working as an arts educator and founding co-artistic director of MCC Theater, in addition to his illustrious career as a dancer, stage performer, and actor.

Apart from his Broadway appearances, LuPone had cameos on the small screen in several hit series including, "Ally McBeal," "Law & Order: Criminal Intent," "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit," "Gossip Girl," "The Affair," "Billions," "The Sopranos" and "Odd Mom Out."

His most prominent small screen features came in the nineties in CBS' "Search For Tomorrow" and ABC's "Loving," starring in 79 episodes and 24 episodes, respectively. LuPone leaves behind his wife Virginia, son Orlando, sister Patti, and brother William.