Vinny Vella, an actor known as the unofficial “Mayor of Little Italy” has died. He was 72. Vella is probably best known for the role of “Artie Piscano” in Martin Scorsese’s epic 1995 mafia masterpiece ‘Casino’. He also played Jimmy Petrille on the HBO show “The Sopranos”.

Grinberg News columnist Mark Gallo spoke with Vella before Christmas. This is when Vinny dropped the bombshell … He revealed he was diagnosed with Stage 4 liver cancer. Vinny Vella died on Wednesday Feb. 20, after doctors had told him further cancer treatment would be “unproductive.” He was at home, surrounded by people who loved him.