The Sopranos first burst onto our screens on HBO in January 1999, and the cast have come a long way since then
This American crime drama first exploded onto our screens in January 1999 and due to its phenomenal popularity, it ran on HBO for 86 episodes until 2007. The Sopranos showcased some savage deaths – 88 to be precise – along with numerous twists, territorial disputes and stellar performances.
Series creator David Chase was instrumental in launching the careers of several cast members including Gandolfini, Edie Falco and Lorraine Bracco, and paved the way for violent crime shows like The Wire, Breaking Bad and Mad Men.
A quarter of a century after its debut, the series continues to be broadcast on Sky Atlantic in the UK, with the entire series available on Now TV. Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranos, a two-part documentary on the iconic mob drama The Sopranos and the visionary behind the series, will premiere on September 7.
Many of the cast are still acting or have switched career paths – including one actress who set up an OnlyFans account, a professional poker player and one who even established their own vegan pasta company, reports the Mirror.
The Sopranos first burst onto our screens on HBO in January 1999, and the cast have come a long way since then
This American crime drama first exploded onto our screens in January 1999 and due to its phenomenal popularity, it ran on HBO for 86 episodes until 2007. The Sopranos showcased some savage deaths – 88 to be precise – along with numerous twists, territorial disputes and stellar performances
Series creator David Chase was instrumental in launching the careers of several cast members including Gandolfini, Edie Falco and Lorraine Bracco, and paved the way for violent crime shows like The Wire, Breaking Bad and Mad Men.
A quarter of a century after its debut, the series continues to be broadcast on Sky Atlantic in the UK, with the entire series available on Now TV. Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranos, a two-part documentary on the iconic mob drama The Sopranos and the visionary behind the series, will premiere on September 7.
Many of the cast are still acting or have switched career paths – including one actress who set up an OnlyFans account, a professional poker player and one who even established their own vegan pasta company, reports the Mirror.
James Gandolfini – Tony Soprano
The central character of the famous series, Tony is inspired by Vinny Ocean, a real-life mobster from New Jersey. As the de facto head of the crime family, Tony faced the constant challenge of managing familial strife alongside his underworld duties.
Despite his cold-blooded nature and sociopathic tendencies, Tony also dealt with panic attacks, leading him to seek professional help from psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi, acted by Lorraine Bracco. His vulnerabilities did little to curb his violence, which only escalated as the series progressed on HBO.
Tony’s fate remained ambiguous at the series’ conclusion, leading to widespread speculation about his death. Creator David Chase has since confirmed Tony’s demise without having displayed it explicitly.
Chase expressed his irritation in an interview: “What was annoying was how many people wanted to see Tony killed. That bothered me. They wanted to know that Tony was killed. They wanted to see him go face-down in linguini, you know? “.
“And I just thought, ‘God, you watched this guy for seven years and I know he’s a criminal’. But don’t tell me you don’t love him in some way, don’t tell me you’re not on his side in some way. And now you want to see him killed? “.
James Gandolfini, who immortalised Tony, received numerous accolades for his portrayal, including three Emmy Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Golden Globe.
Post-Sopranos, Gandolfini explored opportunities behind the scenes as a producer and featured in various films such as All the King’s Men, In the Loop, Where the Wild Things Are, and Zero Dark Thirty. Tragically, the esteemed actor passed away from a heart attack in Rome in 2013, at the age of 51, while vacationing with his family.
Michael, the son of James Gandolfini, stepped into his father’s shoes to play a younger version of Tony Soprano in the prequel film The Many Saints of Newark.
Edie Falco – Carmela Soprano
Edie Falco portrayed Carmela Soprano, Tony’s wife who was fully aware that their wealth was built on blood money. Despite her husband’s infidelity and violent tendencies, she chose to ignore these problems while raising their children, Meadow and AJ.
Falco’s performance as Carmela earned her three Emmy awards, two Golden Globes, and five Screen Actors Guild Awards. She also starred in Law and Order, Oz, Sunshine State, Nurse Jackie from 2009 to 2015, Avatar: The Way of Water, Impeachment: American Crime Story, and Tommy.
Jamie-Lynn Sigler – Meadow Soprano
Jamie-Lynn Sigler played Meadow Soprano, Tony’s spoilt and troubled daughter who was conscious and resentful of her family’s involvement in her father’s criminal activities. As the series progressed, she began to understand the repercussions of their lifestyle and was planning her wedding to Patrick Parisi, the son of one of her father’s capos, by the end of the show.
In 2022, Sigler and Robert Iler, who played AJ, briefly reunited on screen for a 60-second Super Bowl commercial overseen by creator David Chase. Sigler also appeared in Broadway productions of Beauty and the Beast as Belle between 2002 and 2003 and Cinderella at Madison Square Garden in 2001.
She’s made guest appearances on hit shows like Entourage, How I Met Your Mother, and Ugly Betty, and even featured in a music video for The Lonely Island.
The star tried her hand at a music career, but her album ‘Here to Heaven’ was a commercial failure, leading her to later confess it was “embarrassing”.
Diagnosed with multiple sclerosis at the age of 20, Sigler started a podcast with Christina Applegate called ‘MeSsy’, centred around their bond formed through shared MS diagnoses.
Robert Iler – AJ Soprano
Tony and Carmela’s youngest, AJ, was portrayed as a perennial underachiever battling self-esteem issues.
Initially struggling to meet his father’s high expectations, AJ’s journey took a turn as he grappled with depression after the facade crumbled.
Post-Sopranos, actor Robert Iler has appeared on Law and Order, Saturday Night Live, and even starred in Pizza Hut adverts.
In 2001, Iler faced legal trouble, arrested for robbing two teenagers and marijuana possession. He pleaded guilty to larceny and received three years’ probation.
Since the show’s finale, Iler has fought addiction and has been sober since 2013. Stepping back from acting, he’s been a guest on various podcasts, including ones with Jamie-Lynn Sigler.
Christopher Moltisanti – Michael Imperioli
Christopher was Tony’s distant cousin and protege who climbed the ranks throughout the series. Tony played a paternal role to Christopher, who was known for his volatility and impulsiveness, often feeling frustrated by his lack of fame.
Christopher battled severe drug and alcohol addictions and had a tumultuous relationship with his long-term girlfriend Adriana La Cerva, whom he intended to marry. The relationship ended tragically when she admitted to being a mole to Tony, leading to one of the series’ most shocking deaths.
Christopher, battling drug addiction, was meant to be Tony’s successor but crashed while driving the mob boss home. Shocked by his cousin’s condition and the potential danger to his stepchildren, Tony refrained from calling 911 and suffocated him.
Michael Imperioli returned to the world of The Sopranos in the prequel film The Many Saints of Newark as the narrator. He also co-hosted a podcast with Steve Schirripa titled Talking Sopranos, where they shared behind-the-scenes details episode by episode of the hit series.
Actor Michael Imperoli, already known for his role in the gangster film Goodfellas, won a Primetime Emmy for his portrayal in 2004.
Imperioli, who played Detective Ray Carling in the American version of BBC’s police drama Life On Mars, also joined his fellow Sopranos cast members in the Law and Order series. He was given a leading role in the second season of The White Lotus and won a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.
Tony Sirico – Paulie Gualtieri
Tony Sirico, known as Paulie ‘Walnuts’, was one of Tony’s most trusted men, executing hits on his boss’ enemies and disloyal friends. As the main henchman, he climbed the ranks to become the underboss of the crime family, showing unwavering loyalty to Tony.
Paulie was famous for his witty remarks and jokes among his friends, which nearly got him into serious trouble when he made fun of Johnny Sack’s wife Ginny Sacrimoni’s weight.
Actor Tony Sirico initially auditioned for the role of Uncle Junior but agreed to play Paulie on the condition that his character would not turn into a rat.
With a criminal past involving robbery, assaults, and extortion, acting steered Tony back onto the right path. He has portrayed gangsters in several films, including Goodfellas, Mob Queen, and Mickey Blue Eyes.
The actor also lent his voice to Vinny Griffin in Family Guy – the new pet dog who replaced Brian for one episode. Tony Sirico passed away on July 8, 2022, in an assisted living facility in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, aged 79.
The cause of his death remains unknown, but he had been diagnosed with dementia many years before his death.
Often heralded as the best series of all time, The Sopranos saw a mob boss struggle to balance family life while running a dangerous criminal organisation. (Image: Channel 4)
Steven Van Zandt – Silvio Dante
Silvio Dante was the owner of the Bada Bing!, a strip club which served as the gang’s headquarters and hideout. He was a key figure in The Sopranos as consigliere and second in command. He was often chosen to carry out high-level assassinations for Tony, including on Christopher’s girlfriend Adriana.
Steven Van Zandt, who portrayed Silvio, was already well-known as a member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, where he played guitar and mandolin. In 2014, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for his work with Springsteen and also founded his own band – Little Steven and The Disciples of Soul.
Post-The Sopranos, the music producer and songwriter starred and co-wrote Netflix series Lilyhammer and appeared in The Christmas Chronicles in 2018. In April 2024, Steven had a street in Middletown, New Jersey named after him – Van Zandt Way.
Steven R. Schirripa – Bobby ‘Bacala’ Baccalieri
Steven R. Schirripa played Bobby ‘Bacala’ Baccalieri, a character who stood out amidst the adultery, murders and criminal schemes.
Unlike other mafia members, Bobby was loyal to his wife, kind-hearted and had a love for model trains.
Bobby ended up caring for his former boss when he suffered from cancer and rose up the ranks of the organisation. He even became Tony’s brother-in-law when he married his sister Janice.
He also co-hosted a podcast with Michael Imperioli titled Talking Sopranos where the pair provided behind-the-scenes information episode by episode of the hit series.
Steven R. Schirripa, known for his role as Detective Anthony Abtemarco in Blue Bloods, has transitioned from acting to producing and writing books that play on his mob persona, as well as children’s stories.
In 2014, he launched his own line of organic vegan pasta sauces under the business name Uncle Steve’s Italian Specialties Group.
Dominic Chianese – Corrado ‘Junior’ Soprano
Dominic Chianese played Corrado ‘Junior’ Soprano, also known as Uncle June, who was the stubborn and old-fashioned boss of the family – but only in name. Tony allowed his uncle to take the title of boss to prevent a civil war, allowing him to run things behind the scenes without attracting law enforcement attention.
However, Junior resented this arrangement and attempted to assassinate his nephew in the later stages of Season 1. In subsequent seasons, he was convicted of criminal behaviour and began to suffer from dementia.
Dominic Chianese, famous for his role as Johnny Ola in The Godfather Part II, went on to appear in Boardwalk Empire and The Good Wife.
Andrea Donna de Matteo – Adriana La Cerva
Andrea Donna de Matteo portrayed Adriana La Cerva, the long-time girlfriend and later fiancee of Christopher. The vain club manager was enamoured with the Mafia lifestyle and had an obsession with money and fame.
Adriana was targeted by the FBI as a weak link in the crime family and was effectively coerced into becoming an informant. This predicament spanned the latter stages of season three and throughout season five, but she refused to divulge her deepest secrets out of loyalty to Christopher.
However, when the pressure from the FBI became unbearable, Adriana confessed to Christopher, who responded with violence. Despite her belief that they could escape New Jersey and start afresh, Christopher’s loyalty to the mob outweighed his commitment to his partner.
Christopher informed Tony of the situation, leading to Adriana being taken to a secluded woodland area by Silvio and tragically shot dead.
Robert Iler attends The Sopranos 20th Anniversary screening and discussion in 2019 (Image: LightRocket via Getty Images)
Actress Andrea Donna de Matteo, who portrayed Adriana, went on to play Gina, Joey Tribbiani’s sister in the Friends spin-off, Joey. She also appeared in Sons of Anarchy, Desperate Housewives, CSI: Miami, and Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. De Matteo revealed that she had declined to receive the Covid-19 vaccine, which resulted in a lack of acting opportunities.
De Matteo stated that this was the primary reason for her decision to open an OnlyFans account. The income generated from this platform enabled her to pay off her mortgage and bills.
Lorraine Bracco – Jennifer Melfi
Dr Jennifer Melfi, Tony’s psychiatrist, was a central character in The Sopranos. She was privy to all of Tony’s darkest secrets after he began consulting her due to his struggle with panic attacks.
However, his family members were concerned that she knew too much and could potentially testify against him in court.
Despite being both repelled and intrigued by Tony’s confessions, Jennifer became a trusted confidante and continued to assist him despite warnings to the contrary.
Actress Lorraine Bracco, who played Jennifer, had already achieved fame in a gangster film, portraying the troubled wife of main character Henry Hill in Martin Scorsese’s 1990 epic, Goodfellas.
Actor James Gandolfini (R) portrays the character Tony Soprano in a scene from the HBO drama cable television series The Sopranos, along with co-star Michael Imperioli who plays character Christopher Moltisanti (Image: HBO)
Originally, Lorraine was set to play Tony’s wife Carmela, but she opted for a more challenging role as a psychiatrist, not wanting to replicate her Goodfellas character. The actress, who has been nominated for Academy, Emmy and Golden Globe awards, has also appeared in Rizzoli and Isles, Blue Bloods, Law and Order and BoJack Horseman.
Joseph Siravo – Giovanni ‘Johnny Boy’ Soprano
Joseph Siravo, who portrayed Giovanni ‘Johnny Boy’ Soprano, was one of two actors to play the role of Tony Soprano’s late father. He first appeared in an episode of Law and Order in 1997 before landing his role on The Sopranos in 1999.
Siravo featured in five episodes, with flashback scenes revealing Tony’s tumultuous relationship with his parents and his initial steps into the mob world.
Siravo later played real-life mobster John Gotti in the 2015 film The Wannabe and portrayed Fred Goldman, father of murder victim Ron Goldman, in the TV drama The People v. O.J. Simpson.
In addition to his screen roles, he regularly performed onstage, both on and off Broadway, and toured the US with the hit musical Jersey Boys.
Sadly, Joseph passed away at the age of 64 in 2021 after a long battle with cancer. His death was confirmed by fellow actor Gerry Pastore, who paid tribute to Siravo on Instagram.
