Anthony John Soprano Sr. is a fictional character and the protagonist of the HBO crime drama television series The Sopranos, and portrayed by James Gandolfini. Soprano is a member of the Italian-American Mafia and, especially later in the series, acts as the boss of the fictional North Jersey DiMeo crime family (later called the Soprano family). Usually referred to as Tony, the character was conceived by Sopranos creator and showrunner David Chase, who was also largely responsible for the character's story arc throughout the show's six seasons. Gandolfini was ultimately cast in the role ahead of several other actors including Steven Van Zandt and Michael Rispoli. The character is loosely based on stories from and about an assortment of La Cosa Nostra figures and especially on real-life New Jersey mobsters Ruggerio "Richie the Boot" Boiardo, boss of the North Jersey Genovese crime family, and Vincent "Vinny Ocean" Palermo, a former caporegime and de facto boss of the DeCavalcante crime family.[1] Bobby Boriello and Mark Damiano II portrayed Tony Soprano as a child in one episode each and Danny Petrillo played the character as a teenager in three episodes. William Ludwig portrayed him as a child and James Gandolfini's son Michael Gandolfini portrayed a teenage version of the character in the 2021 prequel film The Many Saints of Newark.
In the first season, Tony is a caporegime and also serves as acting underboss for ailing acting boss Giacomo "Jackie" Aprile in the DiMeo crime family. Between the first and second seasons, he is promoted to street boss, a position he retains until the sixth season; his uncle Corrado "Junior" Soprano is the official boss up until early in the sixth season but has little or no actual power. Throughout the series, Tony struggles to balance the conflicting needs of his actual family—wife Carmela, daughter Meadow, son A.J., and mother Livia—with those of the Mafia family he controls. He often displays behavior traits characteristic of a violent sociopath, struggles with depression, and is prone to panic attacks. In the first episode of the series he seeks treatment from Dr. Jennifer Melfi, a character Chase modeled after his own psychiatrist, and remains in therapy on and off up until the penultimate episode of the series.[2]
Both the Tony Soprano character and Gandolfini's performance garnered widespread critical acclaim, with Soprano often being cited as one of the greatest and most influential characters in television history. Gandolfini, for his portrayal of the character, won three Emmy Awards for Best Lead Actor in a Drama Series, three Screen Actors Guild Awards for Best Male Actor in a Drama Series and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama as well as two additional SAG Awards for Best Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series.[3]
^"Before there was a Tony Soprano, there was Richie the Boot, Sam the Plumber and Vinny Ocean. Jersey's real-life Sopranos". nj.com. September 24, 2019.
^Dana, Will (March 10, 2006). ""Sopranos" Creator Shoots Straight". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on November 8, 2008. Retrieved December 6, 2013.
crime family (later called the Soprano family). Usually referred to as Tony, the character was conceived by Sopranos creator and showrunner David Chase...
Pastore. Big Pussy was a longtime close friend and mob enforcer for TonySoprano, and was also shown to be close friends with fellow DiMeo crime family...
The Sopranos is an American crime drama television series created by David Chase. The series revolves around TonySoprano (James Gandolfini), a New Jersey-based...
Livia Soprano (née Pollio), portrayed by Nancy Marchand, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. She is the mother of TonySoprano. A...
Soprano (née DeAngelis), played by Edie Falco, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. She is married to Mafia boss TonySoprano....
Saints of Newark. She is the eldest sibling of the show's protagonist, TonySoprano (James Gandolfini). On the show, she is portrayed by Aida Turturro, and...
Corrado John "Junior" Soprano Jr., portrayed by Dominic Chianese, is a fictional character from the HBO TV series The Sopranos. Usually referred to as...
best known for his portrayal of TonySoprano, the Italian-American Mafia crime boss in HBO's television series The Sopranos (1999–2007). For this role, he...
December 30 1982, Meadow is the first-born child of Tony, played by James Gandolfini, and Carmela Soprano, played by Edie Falco. She was active in extracurricular...
Cemetery in Queens, New York. "'Sopranos' actor Tony Sirico dies at 79". NPR. July 9, 2022. Retrieved July 26, 2022. "Tony Sirico Biography". The Biography...
The Sopranos is an American crime drama television series created by David Chase. The series follows TonySoprano (James Gandolfini), an Italian-American...
"Two Tonys" is the 53rd episode of the HBO original series The Sopranos and the first of the show's fifth season. Written by David Chase and Terence Winter...
on November 24, 2009. The season introduces DiMeo Crime Family Capo TonySoprano and his family, as well as his troubled relationship with his mother...
teenage nephew, TonySoprano, in the midst of the city's 1967 riots. It stars Alessandro Nivola as Dickie and Michael Gandolfini as Tony, the character...
played the role of TonySoprano, which was originally portrayed by his late father James Gandolfini in the television series The Sopranos. Gandolfini was...
April 8, 2007. James Gandolfini as TonySoprano Lorraine Bracco as Dr. Jennifer Melfi * Edie Falco as Carmela Soprano Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisanti...
Imperioli, is a fictional character on the HBO TV series The Sopranos. He is TonySoprano's protégé and a member of the DiMeo crime family, rising from...
especially mob boss TonySoprano, who confronts a spiritual awakening following a near-death experience. The second part focuses on the Soprano crime family...
preceding episode. James Gandolfini as TonySoprano Lorraine Bracco as Jennifer Melfi Edie Falco as Carmela Soprano Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisanti...
the crime family and Tony's extramarital affair with another one of Dr. Melfi's patients, Gloria. James Gandolfini as TonySoprano (13 episodes), the underboss...
is released from prison and causes trouble for Tony and his business. James Gandolfini as TonySoprano (13 episodes), the underboss of the DiMeo crime...
"Junior" Soprano. Throughout the series, he rises through the ranks of the organized crime organization, becoming a captain, as well as TonySoprano's brother-in-law...
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