Sopranos Actor John Costelloe Is Found Dead

John Costelloe, an actor who was best known to viewers of “The Sopranos” for his role as the gay lover of a mobster, has died, apparently of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, The Associated Press reported. Citing a New York City police spokesman, the A.P. said Mr. Costelloe, 47, was found dead in his Brooklyn home on Dec. 18. Mr. Costelloe, a former New York City firefighter, was cast in “The Sopranos” in 2006 as a short-order cook, Jim Witowski, known as Johnny Cakes. His character was involved with Joseph Gannascoli, who played Vito Spatafore, a mob henchman seeking to keep his gay life secret.

The 47-year-old former New York City firefighter gained fame in 2006 when he was cast as short-order cook Jim "Johnny Cakes" Witowski opposite Joseph Gannascoli, who played gay mobster Vito Spatafore on the hit HBO show.Costelloe was performing as a hustler in a theater production of "Gang of Seven" at the time of his death.