“The Sopranos” Cast: Where Are They Now?
- The Sopranos has always been included in the list of the best TV shows of all time.
- The actors who played the central characters in the show have gone on to have illustrious careers.
- Here's a look at their recent projects and successes.
Once in a while, there comes along a show that takes people’s breath away. The audience hangs by a thread for a week until the next episode hits and they learn how the story unfolds. That’s the effect The Sopranos had on the masses.
Not only did the show dissect the intricacies of the life of a mafia boss but also gave an insight into how his mind worked. The titular family was at the center of the drama show that ran for six seasons before finally seeing goodbye to the fans. Nevertheless, the fan demand to revive the show has seldom calmed down, especially after that bombshell climax. Here’s a look at the actors who brought The Sopranos to life and where they are now.
James Gandolfini played Tony Soprano
The fascinating patriarch of the family, Tony Soprano, was played by James Gandolfini. He made the character intriguing and somewhat inspirational for his dedication to his family while managing a multi-million dollar criminal empire. He built his life from scratch and gave his wife and children everything he never had, epitomizing the ideal dad trope.
Soon after the show wrapped up in 2006, the actor dove headfirst into producing projects and acting in more dramas including Killing Them Softly and The Drop. However, Gandolfini was unable to watch the latter movie since a heart attack claimed his life unexpectedly in 2013. The winner of three Emmys, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Golden Globe is still remembered fondly in the industry.
Edie Falco played Carmela Soprano
Edie Falco portrayed the brilliant second half of Tony Soprano, showcasing the characteristics of a typical New Jersey housewife. The Sopranos helped her earn three Emmys, three SAG Awards, and two Golden Globes. Carmela’s character brings forth the story of a housewife who suspects her husband is up to no good. The ups and downs of their relationship are heavily covered in the show.
After The Sopranos, Falco has had an unending slurry of projects including Nurse Jackie, Bupkis, Impeachment: American Crime Story, and the Avatar franchise. Many such diverse roles have kept Falco busy as fans love seeing her tackle one project after another.
Lorraine Bracco played Jennifer Melfi
After the panic attack in the first episode, if Tony was able to keep it together for a few more years of his life, it was all because of his psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi. Actress Lorraine Bracco was behind the character as she navigated the roller coaster life of the mafia boss. She had already experienced a tryst with the fictional mafia world with the movie Goodfellas.
Bracco has also been quite active after the show wrapped up, rather than retreating from the spotlight. She enjoyed great roles in ventures including Rizzoli & Isles, Blue Bloods, Dice, BoJack Horseman, and Disney’s Pinocchio.
Jamie-Lynn Sigler played Meadow Soprano
After beginning her career in a Mariah Carey music video, Jamie-Lynn Sigler took the TV screen by storm by playing the spoilt and entitled daughter of Tony and Carmela in The Sopranos. She continues to have a close relationship with her onscreen brother Robert Iler. Emphasizing their friendship and how they developed a bond on the show, she told People,
Robert is my best friend. He’s my kid’s Uncle Rob. He spends Thanksgiving and Christmas with me and my family every single year. He followed me to Austin and moved there.
Sigler has since gone on to star in Entourage, Ugly Betty, and Big Sky. However, her diagnosis of multiple sclerosis changed her life. She now works towards making other people’s lives simpler and strives to leave a lasting legacy. Sigler continues to live with her husband Cutter Dykstra and their two kids.
Robert Iler played AJ Sopranos
Unlike his father, AJ Sopranos was no hard worker. He slacked off on most tasks and had his mother after his life for everything. The troublemaker was brought to life by Robert Iler, who retreated from his acting career once The Sopranos wrapped up. However, he told The Hollywood Reporter,
The only thing I have done since Sopranos is 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 of Law and Order.
He further struggled with substance abuse. Iler did his best to get his life together and became sober after a couple of years. He also hosted a podcast with Sigler titled Pajama Pants and later, Not Today Pal.
Michael Imperioli played Christopher Moltisanti
Bracco and Michael Imperioli worked together in Goodfellas that shot them to stardom. In The Sopranos, Imperioli played Tony’s nephew who was being groomed to take over the business. His suave and charm delighted all viewers across the board.
Steve Schirripa and Imperioli jumped on the podcast bandwagon and started one to talk about The Sopranos. After the show, Imperioli has been seen in Life on Mars, Detroit 1-8-7, Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector, and Escape at Dannemora. His recent notable role was in the second season of The White Lotus where he played a man with a s*x addiction. Imperioli enjoys domestic life with his three kids and wife Victoria Chlebowski.
Drea de Matteo played Adriana La Cerva
One of the biggest hindrances in Tony and Carmela’s marriage was his urge to have affairs and be a serial womanizer. The mafia boss was unable to shake the feeling of having multiple relations with women, including Adriana La Cerva. She later became Tony’s fiance who turned out to be a FBI informant. Tackling this complex role, Drea de Matteo did her best to display all the nuanced characteristics.
Much like Falco and Bracco, Matteo has remained in the spotlight with more unique projects to her name after The Sopranos ended. Sons of Anarchy, Desperate Housewives, A Million Little Things, and Paradise City to name a few are under Matteo’s filmography. She has been engaged to bassist Michael Devin since 2015.
The Sopranos is streaming on Max.
