The Sopranos cast now – tragic deaths, arrest and Bruce Springsteen connection

11/19/2023

Bookmark

Thank you for subscribing!

We have more newsletters

The Sopranos burst onto our screens on January 10 1999 and changed the world of TV shows forever.

Fans were first introduced to the cast of the franchise over two decades ago, not knowing how much we would love or hate them.

But where are the iconic actors and actresses 24 years down the line?

READ MORE: Want more showbiz? Daily Star has just the thing for you!

READ MORE: Want more TV? Daily Star has just the thing for you!

From a rocky relationship with substance abuse, to a tragic death and having to be written out of the series to starring in four Al Pacino movies – this cast has had a colourful past, present and future.

Daily Star has take a look to see where the famous cast members are up to now.

James Gandolfini – Tony Soprano

If you think of The Sopranos then James Gandolfini's face is the first thing that pops into your mind. The iconic Italian-American actor was the heart and soul of the show winning him three Emmy Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and one Golden Globe Award.

His work as Tony Soprano was widely billed as one of the greatest performances by any actor in the history of television. James sadly passed away in June 2013 at the age of 51 after suffering a heart attack while on a trip to Rome, Italy.

Lorraine Bracco – Jennifer Melfi

An esteemed actress, Lorraine Bracco played Jennifer Melfi in the iconic series, but this wasn't her only rodeo.

She has also popped up in the likes of Rizzoli & Isles from 2010 to 2016, and also had a recurring role in CBS' Blue Bloods from 2017 to 2018.

As well as the above, you might recognise her distinctive voice from Netflix’s BoJack Horseman in 2016.

Away from the big scream Lorraine has two daughters – Margaux with her ex-husband Daniel Guerard and Stella with ex-boyfriend Harvey Keitel.

Edie Falco – Carmela Soprano

Edie Falco was best known as Tony's long-suffering wife Carmela Soprano during the run of the HBO show.

After the end of the Italian crime boss series, she became the title role Nurse Jackie Peyton in Nurse Jackie.

She then played Hillary Clinton alongside Beanie Feldstein and Sarah Paulson in Impeachment: American Crime Story.

Edie filmed several scenes for The Sopranos prequel movie The Many Saints of Newark, but they ended up on the cutting room floor.

However, she did still attend the Tribeca Film Festival premiere with the rest of the cast.

Michael Imperioli – Christopher Moltisanti

Although known widely for his portrayal of Christopher Moltisanti, Michael has starred in many award-nominated TV shows and feature films.

From 2005 until 2006 he starred in Law & Order, between 2008 and 2009 he popped up in Life on Mars and more recently in 2020 he starred in Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector.

Also in 2020 he appeared in the Oscar-nominated film One Night in Miami.

When he's not acting on screen he co-hosts the podcast Talking Sopranos.

Dominic Chianese – Corrado "Junior" Soprano Jr.

Dominic Chianese was born on February 24, 1931.

He is best known for his roles as Corrado "Junior" Soprano in The Sopranos a role he portrayed from 1999 until 2007.

The actor and musician has appeared in four movies with Al Pacino: The Godfather Part II in 1974 – as Johnny Ola; Dog Day Afternoon in 1975 – as Sonny's Father; …And Justice For All in 1979 – as Carl Travers; and Looking for Richard in 1996 – as himself.

More recently in December 2018, Dominic co-authored a biography with Matthew Sargent named Twelve Angels: The Women Who Taught Me How to Act, Live, and Love.

Vincent Pastore – Sal "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero

With almost 200 acting credits, Vincent is best known for his Sopranos role as Tony’s friend Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero.

With a humungous back catalogue of roles, you might also know Vincent from reality shows like the American version of Celebrity Apprentice in 2008.

Since The Sopranos he also opened his own food business – Vincent Pastore’s Italian Sauce. As well as his booming business, he's a family man too and shares a daughter, Renee, with ex-wife Nancy Berke.

Steven Van Zandt as Silvio Dante

Probably best known for playing Tony’s friend Silvio Dante on The Sopranos, you may or may not know that Steven was a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band.

While in Bruce Springteen's band, he experienced the group get inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2014.

Steven has been married to Maureen Santoro, who played his wife on The Sopranos, since 1982.

Tony Sirico as Paul "Paulie Walnuts" Gualtieri

Join the Daily Star Soaps WhatsApp for all the latest spoilers and exclusives

Tony Sirico portrayed Tony’s associate Paul “Paulie Walnuts” Gualtieri, but you might recognise his voice from somewhere else.

Some might recognise Tony's voice from Family Guy, because he voiced the Griffin family’s dog Vinny from 2013 to 2016.

Not only has he had a cartoon stint, but he has also starred in the Woody Allen movies Café Society in 2016, and Wonder Wheel the year after in 2017.

Away from the screen he has two children named Joeanna and Richard.

Robert Iler as Anthony Soprano Jr.

Robert played Anthony Soprano Jr in The Sopranos, but took a step away from the limelight after his stint in the series.

He ended up moving to Las Vegas after the hit show, with the hopes to pursue a career as a poker player.

The actor-turned-poker-player ended up struggling with substance abuse for a number of years.

In July 2001, he was arrested for the robbery of two teenagers and for possession of marijuana.

He pleaded guilty to a single charge of larceny and received three years' probation.

Nowdays, he can be found hosting the podcast Pajama Pants with his onscreen sister, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, and YouTube sensation Kassem G.

Jamie-Lynn Sigler as Meadow Soprano

Although Jamie-Lynn Sigler starred in The Sopranos, you might know her better from Ugly Betty in 2009.

Jamie-Lynn was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when she was only 20, but only spoke out publicly about her condition in 2016.

The American actress has two children, Beau and Jack, with husband Cutter Dykstra, whom she married in Palm Springs in 2016.

Nancy Marchand as Livia Soprano

Nancy Lou Marchand was a famous American actress who began her career in the world of the theatre in 1951.

Best known for her role in The Sopranos, Nancy sadly passed away in 2000 after suffering from both lung cancer and emphysema.

She passed away on June 18, 2000, a day before her 72nd birthday, in Stratford, Connecticut.

Her character's death was written into the third season story line of The Sopranos.

Her husband, actor Paul Sparer, had died the previous year at 75, also from cancer.

Suzanne Shepherd as Mary DeAngelis

Suzanne Shepherd played Carmela Soprano's mother Mary DeAngelis (Edie Falco) in The Sopranos. The veteran also played the mother of Karen Hill (Lorraine Bracco) in crime hit Goodfellas alongside Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Ray Liotta.

Goodfellas is widely thought to be one of the greatest films of all time and was nominated for five Oscars, with Pesci winning Best Supporting actor.

Shepherd enjoyed a successful acting career spanning over 35 years. Her first role came in the 1988 flick Mystic Pizza, where she played Aunt Tweedy. Her granddaughter Isabelle announced her tragic death in November 2023. The cause of death is yet to be revealed.

For more of the latest showbiz and TV news from the Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here

The Sopranos

Source: Read Full Article