Its star, James Gandolfini, won accolades for his portrayal of Tony Soprano. And while it may be hard to imagine anyone but Gandolfini in the role, producers weren't so sure. Series creator David Chase initially approached Australian actor Anthony LaPaglia for the role.

Who turned down the role of Tony Soprano?

1 Steven Van Zandt

Prior to The Sopranos, Van Zandt was best known for playing guitar in Bruce Springsteen's band. In an interview with Cleveland.com, Van Zandt revealed that he was in the running because Chase “wanted unusual, new faces,” but his lack of experience ended up being the reason he didn't get the role.

Who is Tony Soprano supposed to be?

Tony Soprano from The Sopranos was inspired by real-life gangsters, adding realism to the character. Vincent "Vinny Ocean" Palermo is widely believed to be the real-life inspiration for Tony Soprano.

Who could play Tony Soprano now?

Just like James Gandolfini before him, Chiwetel Ejiofor has had a long career on stage. He is suited to take on the challenge of playing Tony Soprano and find out what makes Tony tick. Ejiofor is no stranger to groundbreaking drama, having starred in the Best Picture winner, 12 Years a Slave.

Was James Gandolfini supposed to be in the office?

James Gandolfini was considered to replace Carell on The Office, but ultimately declined due to his unfamiliarity with the show and uncertainty about how to play the character.

How much money does Tony Soprano make?

Was James Gandolfini anything like Tony Soprano?

Winter recalled Gandolfini telling him he was "exhausted" by the role. "He lived in the Tony Soprano headspace but James Gandolfini was not Tony Soprano," Winter said. "James was a kind and funny person but Tony got into his head and lived there for nine months. That was exhausting in a lot of different ways."

How much money did James Gandolfini make from The Sopranos?

He eventually landed on an agreement with HBO to make $1 million per episode (or $13 million per season.) The reason for Gandolfini signing the agreement had everything to do with his Sopranos cast members, the book claims.

Who else auditioned for Carmela Soprano?

The Sopranos almost looked very different. Oscar nominee Lorraine Bracco, Dr. Jennifer Melfi, Tony Soprano's (James Gandolfini) psychiatrist on the hit HBO series, was originally offered a very different role: Carmela Soprano. So why did she turn down the role that eventually went to Edie Falco?

What mental condition does Tony Soprano have?

This analysis uncovers a range of maladaptive psychological patterns exhibited by Tony Soprano, encompassing antisocial and borderline personality disorders, pervasive anxiety, chronic depression, anger management issues, narcissistic tendencies, and unresolved childhood trauma.

Who auditioned for Junior Soprano?

The intense, multilayered character analyses of the titular Sopranos and the other gabagool-seeking characters on the show helped make the HBO series synonymous with “the greatest of all-time.” Tony Sirico and Frank Vincent were an important part of that even if they lost out on the role of Uncle Junior, and Dominic ...

What do mobsters think of The Sopranos?

Members of the organized crime operation can even be heard praising the series in one of several FBI recordings obtained via sting operation. Updated by Timothy Blake Donohoo on January 18, 2024: The Sopranos, which is now celebrating its 25th anniversary, is still considered a classic television series.

Who betrayed Tony Soprano in the end?

Summary. Tony Soprano's death in the controversial Sopranos finale may have been a result of betrayal by his longtime friend, Paulie. Paulie's demotion and shifting power dynamics give him motives to resent Tony and potentially look to New York for a better role, leading to his betrayal.

Who else auditioned for Christopher Moltisanti?

Almost Played It: Christian Maelen

While Michael Imperioli was David Chase's first choice for the role of Christopher Moltisanti, if he'd been unable to take the part for some reason, Chase's second choice was Christian Maelen.

Who got fired from The Sopranos?

However, Kessler was fired by Chase midway through the show's run. Per Yahoo News, Kessler has revealed that Gandolfini treated him to dinner after he was fired from The Sopranos.

Who took over the soprano family after Tony died?

After Tony's death in The Sopranos ending, Silvio could have regained consciousness. After several months of rehabilitation, he would take responsibility for the entire family.

Do Tony and Dr Melfi sleep together?

Jennifer Melfi in The Sopranos was of the most complex in the series, but why Tony never sleeps with Dr. Melfi has been debated even after the show concluded. This bipolar relationship proves more than complicated, as in one moment Tony may profess his love for her, and the next he is shouting and shoving her in anger.

What is Tony's IQ in The Sopranos?

He craved power and dominance over everyone. While Tony Blundetto's IQ was 158, Tony Soprano's was probably more in the mediocre range. He certainly had street smarts, though.

Is Tony Soprano a toxic person?

His Behavior Towards His Children

Even though he tries to drive away his life of crime from his children, Tony turns out to be a toxic, manipulative, and emotionally abusive parent.

Who was the best actor in Sopranos?

Lead actor James Gandolfini and lead actress Edie Falco received the most nominations and wins of the ensemble cast, including three wins each for the Primetime Emmy Award, in their respective categories; as well as Falco winning the Golden Globe Award in 2000 and 2003, and Gandolfini winning in 2000.

What did Little Paulie do to Christopher?

When Little Paulie steals again from the hardware store, Christopher tracks him down and throws him out of a third-floor window. He survives, but with six broken vertebrae. Paulie then vandalizes Christopher's landscaped front garden with his Cadillac CTS.

Who is Carmela Soprano in real life?

Edith Falco (born July 5, 1963) is an American actress. She is best known for portraying Carmela Soprano on the HBO series The Sopranos (1999–2007), and Nurse Jackie Peyton on the Showtime series Nurse Jackie (2009–2015).

Do the actors of The Sopranos get royalties?

De Matteo claimed that the cast doesn't get residuals for the HBO show, likening it to actors striking last year for similarly being shafted in streaming distribution deals. De Matteo departed the show before its final season, but Gandolfini's kindness didn't stop.

What happened to James Gandolfini after The Sopranos?

In 2012, Gandolfini reunited with The Sopranos creator David Chase for Not Fade Away, a music-driven production set in 1960s New Jersey, and the latter's feature film debut. Two films which Gandolfini completed before his death in June 2013 were released posthumously.

What did James Gandolfini leave his son?

The will is straightforward and the relevant portions are summarized below: Gandolfini's clothing and jewelry went to his son, Michael. All other personal property, other than currency, went to his wife, Deborah Lin.