Photo:HBO/Courtesy: Everett Collection.
HBO/Courtesy: Everett Collection.
The Sopranospremiered on Jan. 10, 1999, heralding a new era of television at the turn of the millennium. In its time, the series scored 21Primetime Emmys, fiveGolden Globesand two Peabody Awards, among other accolades.Though the diner went dark on June 10, 2007, a 2021 prequel film,The Many Saints of Newark—starringJames Gandolfini’s son,Michael Gandolfini, as a young Tony Soprano — welcomed a new generation of fans and kept interest in the series going.In January 2024, the show celebrated its 25th anniversary, and the creator,David Chase, reminisced with PEOPLE about the impact of his legendary plot. “I still feel this tremendous sense of gratitude that it’s still going on,” he said. “I can’t remember this happening with any other television show ever.”“It’s the best thing I’ve ever done,” Chase added. “It’s probably the best thing I ever will do.”Here are all the details on what the cast is up to now.
The Sopranospremiered on Jan. 10, 1999, heralding a new era of television at the turn of the millennium. In its time, the series scored 21Primetime Emmys, fiveGolden Globesand two Peabody Awards, among other accolades.
Though the diner went dark on June 10, 2007, a 2021 prequel film,The Many Saints of Newark—starringJames Gandolfini’s son,Michael Gandolfini, as a young Tony Soprano — welcomed a new generation of fans and kept interest in the series going.
In January 2024, the show celebrated its 25th anniversary, and the creator,David Chase, reminisced with PEOPLE about the impact of his legendary plot. “I still feel this tremendous sense of gratitude that it’s still going on,” he said. “I can’t remember this happening with any other television show ever.”
“It’s the best thing I’ve ever done,” Chase added. “It’s probably the best thing I ever will do.”
Here are all the details on what the cast is up to now.
01of 12
James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano
HBO/Courtesy: Everett; Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic
Before his big break as Tony — which earned him three Emmys, threeScreen Actors Guild Awardsand a Golden Globe — the actor had been working for nearly a decade, with small parts in a number of films, includingAngie(1994), alongside Aida Turturro, who would later play his sister Janice onThe Sopranos.
Post-Sopranos, Gandolfini executive produced several HBO projects, includingHemingway & GellhornandThe Night Of(with a posthumous credit).He continued to star heavily in mob dramas, such asKilling Them Softly(2012) andThe Drop(2014), released posthumously.
Gandolfinidied unexpectedly from a heart attackin 2013. He was 51.
From 1999 to 2002, the actor was married to producer Marcy Wudarski, with whom he shared his son Michael. He later wed model-actressDeborah Linin 2008, with whom he welcomed his daughter Liliana.
Over 10 years after his death,Lorraine Bracco, who played Tony’s psychiatrist, Dr. Melfi, reflected on her favorite moments with Gandolfini. For the show’s 25th anniversary in 2024, the actress told PEOPLE that she remembers Gandolfini as a “very committed actor.”
“I would forget that I was in the scene with him,” she said. “And I would watch him, because he had a lot of monologues, which is very rare in television, and he would want to shoot them all together in one go.I used to love to watch him do that.”
02of 12
Edie Falco as Carmela Soprano
HBO/Courtesy: Everett; Jamie McCarthy/Getty
Edie Falcohad a number of parts in crime and mob dramas before landing the starring role ofTony’s wife, Carmela, in which she painted a brutal yet brilliant portrait of the pair’s marital roller coaster.
Falco earned three Emmys, three SAG Awards and two Golden Globes for her turn as the OG Jersey housewife. She went on to star as a drug-addicted nurse onNurse Jackie,which ran from 2009 to 2015 and earned her another Emmy.
She also played former first ladyHillary Clintonon 2021’sImpeachment: American Crime Storyand portraysPete Davison’s mother, Amy, on the Peacock seriesBupkis, based on the comedian’s life. In 2022, Falco appeared in theOscar-nominatedAvatar: The Way of Waterand will reprise her role in the film’s sequel,Avatar 3.
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Jamie-Lynn Sigler as Meadow Soprano
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Sigler was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) at age 20. As a spokesperson for the pharmaceutical company Novartis, the actress has devoted her life to helping others living with the disease.
“A lot of the times with a diagnosis it can be fear, depression, sadness, grief,” she told PEOPLE in 2023. “I really came to this place of understanding, processing those feelings, and stepped into this place of acceptance. … People really like to be helpful. People really want to help.”
Sigler shares sons Beau and Jack Adam with husbandCutter Dykstra, whom she wed in 2016. She was previously married to A.J. DiScala from 2003 until 2005.
“Robert is my best friend. He’s my kid’s Uncle Rob,” she told PEOPLE in January 2024, for the show’s 25th anniversary. “He spends Thanksgiving and Christmas with me and my family every single year. He followed me to Austin and moved there.”
She added, “We have a unique chemistry and bond that just goes beyond Meadow and A.J.”
04of 12Robert Iler as A.J. SopranoHBO/Courtesy: Everett Collection; Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via GettyA spoiled slacker with an underlying anxiety disorder, Iler’s A.J. was always causing trouble in the HBO series. Two years after the show ended, Iler guest-starred on an episode ofLaw & Orderbut otherwise stepped away from the spotlight to pursue a career in the professional poker world in Las Vegas.“The only thing I have done sinceSopranosis I got called to do jury duty and I didn’t want to do jury duty … so twice, to get out of jury duty, I did an episode ofLaw and Order,“he toldThe Hollywood Reporterin a rare interview in 2020. He also spoke out about his past of substance misuse and addiction, revealing that he was seven years sober at the time.He and Sigler co-hosted thePajama Pantspodcast with YouTuber Kassem G, which ended in December 2022.
04of 12
Robert Iler as A.J. Soprano
HBO/Courtesy: Everett Collection; Lev Radin/Pacific Press/LightRocket via Getty
A spoiled slacker with an underlying anxiety disorder, Iler’s A.J. was always causing trouble in the HBO series. Two years after the show ended, Iler guest-starred on an episode ofLaw & Orderbut otherwise stepped away from the spotlight to pursue a career in the professional poker world in Las Vegas.
“The only thing I have done sinceSopranosis I got called to do jury duty and I didn’t want to do jury duty … so twice, to get out of jury duty, I did an episode ofLaw and Order,“he toldThe Hollywood Reporterin a rare interview in 2020. He also spoke out about his past of substance misuse and addiction, revealing that he was seven years sober at the time.
He and Sigler co-hosted thePajama Pantspodcast with YouTuber Kassem G, which ended in December 2022.
05of 12
Lorraine Bracco as Jennifer Melfi
HBO/Courtesy: Everett Collection; Heidi Gutman/ABC via Getty
As Tony’s psychiatrist, Bracco’s character was privy to information — however couched in metaphor or sanitized details — that no one else in his life was. Through all their scenes together, Bracco told PEOPLE in 2024 that she and Gandolfini “pranked each other a lot.”
Bracco was nominated for three Golden Globes, three Emmys and three SAG Awards for her turn as Dr. Melfi. Having been in the industry for two decades whenThe Sopranosfirst aired, Bracco was already famous for her role in another mob project,Goodfellas(1990).
From 1979 to 1982, Bracco was married to Daniel Guerard, with whom she welcomed a daughter, actress Margaux Guerard. She welcomed her second child, daughter Stella Keitel, with actor Harvey Keitel in 1985. The actress later married actorEdward James Olmosin 1994, and the couple divorced in 2002.
06of 12
Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisanti
HBO/Courtesy: Everett Collection; Vivien Killilea/Getty
Michael Imperioli’s swaggering, erratic Christopher was one of the show’s most iconic characters. Before his turn as Tony’s nephew and would-be successor — which earned him an Emmy and two SAG Awards — Imperioli starred as Spider inGoodfellas.
Since 1996, Imperioli has been married to Victoria Chlebowski, with whom he shares three children.
07of 12
Drea de Matteo as Adriana La Cerva
HBO/Courtesy: Everett Collection; Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty
Drea de Matteoearned an Emmy for her heart-wrenching turn as Christopher’s girlfriend-turned-fiancée-turned-FBI informant. After her time onThe Sopranos, she took on the role of Gina Tribbiani, Joey Tribbiani’s sister, on his eponymousFriendsspinoff from 2004 to 2006.
In 2020, the actress co-hosted a podcast,Made Women, with longtime friend Chris Kushner, which often delves into behind-the-scenes moments fromThe Sopranos. The co-hosts also launched a mob-themed wine, “Gangster Goddess” Pinot Noir.
De Matteo shares two children, daughter Alabama Gypsy Rose and son Waylon Albert, from her previous relationship with musician Shooter Jennings, to whom she was engaged. Since 2015, the actress hasbeen engagedto former Whitesnake bassist Michael Devin.
08of 12
Tony Sirico as Paulie Gualtieri
HBO/Courtesy: Everett Collection; Ben Gabbe/Getty
Paulie “Walnuts” was one of Tony’s right-hand men as a captain and, later, a particularly violent underboss in the DiMeo crime family. Tony Sirico and many of hisSopranoscostars also previously starred inGoodfellas.
AfterThe Sopranos, he appeared in a handful of short films, with his most notable roles being inWoody Allen’sCafé Society(2016) andWonder Wheel(2017). He did voice work, including onFamily Guy— voicing the family dog, Vinny — from 2013 to 2016, andAmerican Dad!, voicing mobster Enzo Perottifrom 2017 to 2019.
On July 8, 2022, Sirico’s familyannounced his deathat age 79. In a tribute on social media,SopranoscostarImperioli wrote: “Tony was like no one else: he was as tough, as loyal and as big hearted as anyone I’ve ever known.”
09of 12Steven Van Zandt as Silvio DanteHBO/Courtesy: Everett Collection; Monica Schipper/GettyAnother member of Tony’s inner circle,Steven Van Zandt’s Silvio eventually became the mob boss’s consigliere, or advisor. Van Zandt continued tapping into mafia-related roles, including as a New York mob boss onLilyhammer, a Norwegian American series that aired from 2012 to 2014, and inThe Irishman(2019), alongsideAl Pacinohimself, whomSilvio often impersonated.Offscreen, Van Zandt is most famously known as “Little Steven,” the guitarist ofBruce Springsteen’s E Street Band. He also published a memoir,Unrequited Infatuations, in 2021.He has been married to actress Maureen Santoro since 1982.
09of 12
Steven Van Zandt as Silvio Dante
HBO/Courtesy: Everett Collection; Monica Schipper/Getty
Another member of Tony’s inner circle,Steven Van Zandt’s Silvio eventually became the mob boss’s consigliere, or advisor. Van Zandt continued tapping into mafia-related roles, including as a New York mob boss onLilyhammer, a Norwegian American series that aired from 2012 to 2014, and inThe Irishman(2019), alongsideAl Pacinohimself, whomSilvio often impersonated.
Offscreen, Van Zandt is most famously known as “Little Steven,” the guitarist ofBruce Springsteen’s E Street Band. He also published a memoir,Unrequited Infatuations, in 2021.
He has been married to actress Maureen Santoro since 1982.
10of 12Vincent Pastore as Salvatore “Big Pussy” BonpensieroAnthony Neste/Getty; Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/WireImageWhile his time on the show was briefer than many of the other members of Tony’s inner circle,Vincent Pastore’s “Big Pussy” — named for his character’s early career as a cat burglar — had a lasting impact.Pastore has more than 180 acting credits to his name, including a stint onGeneral Hospitalin 2008 and a slew of appearances in films likeMickey Blue Eyes(1999),The Family(2013) andSpinning Gold(2023).Apart from acting, Pastore launched his own line of pasta sauce, Vincent Pastore’s Italian Sauce, in 2019. He has one child, daughter Renee, from his previous marriage to Nancy Berke.
10of 12
Vincent Pastore as Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero
Anthony Neste/Getty; Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/WireImage
While his time on the show was briefer than many of the other members of Tony’s inner circle,Vincent Pastore’s “Big Pussy” — named for his character’s early career as a cat burglar — had a lasting impact.
Pastore has more than 180 acting credits to his name, including a stint onGeneral Hospitalin 2008 and a slew of appearances in films likeMickey Blue Eyes(1999),The Family(2013) andSpinning Gold(2023).
Apart from acting, Pastore launched his own line of pasta sauce, Vincent Pastore’s Italian Sauce, in 2019. He has one child, daughter Renee, from his previous marriage to Nancy Berke.
11of 12Dominic Chianese as Corrado “Junior” SopranoHBO/Courtesy: Everett Collection; Dominik Bindl/GettyDominic Chianese got his start as Johnny Ola inThe Godfather Part II(1974) before famously portraying Tony’s Uncle Junior, a mentor who is the technical head of the family for much of the series.AfterThe Sopranos, Chianese landed roles on HBO’sBoardwalk Empirefrom 2011 to 2013, CBS’The Good Wifefrom 2012 to 2015 and NBC’sThe Villagein 2019.Chianese has also pursued a career in music, having released two albums: 2001’sHitsand 2003’sUngrateful Heart. He also authored a memoir,Twelve Angels: The Women Who Taught Me How to Act, Live, and Love, published in 2018.
11of 12
Dominic Chianese as Corrado “Junior” Soprano
HBO/Courtesy: Everett Collection; Dominik Bindl/Getty
Dominic Chianese got his start as Johnny Ola inThe Godfather Part II(1974) before famously portraying Tony’s Uncle Junior, a mentor who is the technical head of the family for much of the series.
AfterThe Sopranos, Chianese landed roles on HBO’sBoardwalk Empirefrom 2011 to 2013, CBS’The Good Wifefrom 2012 to 2015 and NBC’sThe Villagein 2019.
Chianese has also pursued a career in music, having released two albums: 2001’sHitsand 2003’sUngrateful Heart. He also authored a memoir,Twelve Angels: The Women Who Taught Me How to Act, Live, and Love, published in 2018.
12of 12
Aida Turturro as Janice Soprano
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Aida Turturro began acting in the late ’90s with roles in films includingSleepers(1996) andDeep Blue Sea(1999) before her big break as Tony’s narcissistic and drama-rousing elder sister, Janice.
source: people.com
