when you hire a real criminal to act

Known to most as Paulie “Walnuts” Gualtieri - Tony Sirico helped Sopranos change the landscape of modern television.
But what some may not know is that Tony Sirico’s background is closely similar to his portrayed character. Before Sopranos Sirico was a gangster associated with the Colombo family. In this video we dive deeper into Sirico’s past and how it influenced his appearances in Sopranos, Goodfellas, Miami Vice and Godfather 2.
#sopranos #tonysirico #videoessay

[@FatrickAteman]

Imagine having Tony Sirico threaten to carve his initials into your forehead and then later in life getting to watch him threaten and shoot other actors on TV.

[@xhagast]

Those actors didn't need to act much.

[@skizmo13]

It'd be one hell of an autograph.

[@TokeStorm024]

@@skizmo13lmao 😄🤙

[@Daniel-po8eb]

He's fortunate he didn't threaten the wrong asshole.

[@storybard4438]

@@skizmo13You win today’s internet sir 🎉

[@TheGreatman12]

Tony proved that when you're a criminal, it's not about sounding serious or looking serious, it's about BEING serious. The way he talks isn't as scary as James Gandolfini's menacing demeanor, but you know when he makes a threat, he means it.

[@metal87power]

James' body itself was threatening. Tony as a much smaller, fragile person had to learn to be serious.

[@hazardeur]

he was smaller than tony for sure but I wouldn't exactly call that "fragile" lol @@metal87power

[@tjayk9127]

You don’t make threats you make promises.

[@rekietabeatslc9980]

Brilliant acting

[@TheGreatman12]

@@tjayk9127 facts

[@None-lx8kj]

I think what made Sirico special wasn't just that he could do 'comic relief' and 'menacing', but he could somehow do both convincingly at the same time.

[@TheRealRusDaddy]

He’ll beat your ass and make you laugh at the same time

[@xxmemewizardxxps2902]

At first I was busting balls, but now you're beginning to worry me.

[@mdogg094]

Best gangster movie actors do this. See Joe Pesci for another obvious example

[@BasedR0nin]

@@TheRealRusDaddykind of like Arthur Morgan

[@JohnTaranto-vp8vs]

Gandolfini was great at this too, from the first episode hitting the guy with the car, and as he's wailing Tony Soprano says "Shut up" in that Shad Up way with disgust and mockery it even made my mom laugh

[@politic1148]

I had an old friend Lenny Mirro who was a 72 year old Italian who used to be a roller derby star back in the 60s and I cut the Condos he lived in and one day in 2003 he came outside and said sit down have some water. He was from Jersey and had the exact mannerisms and style that Tony Sirico did and I sat on the couch and he asked me if i wanted to drive to Cali with him! He wasnt kidding, I went and tracked my pops on the rider mower and asked him and he said yeah. So 2 weeks later I drove all the way to Monterey, California where his daughter was a Real Estate agent for 17 mile drive and I got to go on the 18th Hole at Pebble Beach, even got to go in the lockerroom and saw Tigers trophy he won at the 2000 US Open. It was one of the best times i ever had in my life and if youre looking down Lenny, I love ya and thanks for a once and a lifetime experience. You will never be forgotton. RIP

[@DDDaDDDaDDD]

Cool story... it's "once in a lifetime" btw

[@masoncampbell3314]

Damn that sounds amazing I can just imagine driving for days with a “Paulie Walnuts” like character like that. 😂 That’s how my great gramps was. And a successful businessman. Some people’s legs probably got broke along the way but 🤷🏻‍♂️ sometimes ya gotta break a few eggs to make an omelette… anyways RIP to your friend Lenny Mirro sir.

[@masoncampbell3314]

@@DDDaDDDaDDD Why u feel the need to correct people on minor things? And “cool story”? Get tf outta here smartass

[@politic1148]

@@DDDaDDDaDDD aww thats cute, you know I graduated college and have written many many 20 page essays. Im so glad you were able to grade my story. You missed a lot more than that one sweetheart. I actually meant to write "once and a lifetime". It was an inside joke between me and my ol friend. So now all thats left for you to do, is to politely go fuck off with that baby dick energy, Capeash? I love when ignorant people show how vast their ignorance really is. Good Day✌🏼♥️😁

[@politic1148]

@@masoncampbell3314 oh it was once "and" a lifetime for real. Ive traveled all over this country and I will always recommend driving across the country at least once in your life. Ive also taken a train from Philly to The Rockies. And drove to Wisconsin in 2012 and got to work in Green Bay for 30 days, got to take a tour of Lambeau field and got to go to a preseason game as well. You never know what your passions are until you try something new. Thanks for your kind words about my friend Lenny, he was a character, looked like Paulie too. It was his attitude that did it for me. Another funny story, we had just got to Albuqurque, NM and I wanted to drink a 40 cause Florida never had them. I get back to the hotel and open the door and this 72 year old is butt naked just walking around.😂Im like "Yo Lenny is mine gonna shrivel up like that when im old?" I said, "man put your damn towel on man!" He was funny ol dude.

[@dannypitcherenterprises2414]

I can't lie, Tony Sircio looked sharp as hell in the Sopranos even though he was in his late 50s early 60s

[@mrtibbz10]

Solid as a rock

[@yaboosnubs]

Tony Sirico had the makings of a varsity athlete

[@LordTalax]

He had style.

[@dannypitcherenterprises2414]

@LordTalax you don’t see a lot of guys like that in his age.

[@faitaccompli5878]

What makes The Sopranos classic, is that the casting of every character is perfect.

[@hiren8325]

Jesus was a made guy…🤌🏼🤔🤣

[@CertifiedSlamboy]

Especially Janice imo. She's just perfect.

[@UnCreativeDeconstructionism]

@hiren8325 . .and we weren't. And we just had to deal with it. His mother couldn't even have an open casket."

[@ajax3310]

​@RepentandbelieveinJesusChrist0 🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡🤡

[@bbbbbbb51]

I'll never be able to appreciate it and I've seen the whole thing. Mobster settings and Italian Americans are both incredibly annoying to me.

[@jimbosc]

Thank goodness Sirico was open to being the comic relief in so many great scenes. Didn't take himself too seriously and provided a perfect balance of tough guy and someone you had to laugh at.

[@Night5225]

Honestly, Paulie was one of the more pathetic characters. I think it’s to Sirico’s credit that he didn’t just bring a “tough guy” performance, but was able to undercut his own background with his acting skills.

[@themadtitan7603]

​@@Night5225 Yeah, some of his pathetic, petty moments & genuine emotional scenes (him crying outside the room after seeing Jason Barone's mother) sell me to him as a capable actor. One who's able to bring out some of more nuanced dynamics and emotion to portray an iconic side character by playing more than just himself.

[@themadtitan7603]

I actually look back on him as a pathetic, insecure but a "loving Uncle" type character who genuinely cares for his friends (though ultimately looking out for his best interests) and often feels lonely. Not too much him as a menacing gangster even though I see that he is.

[@srgetem]

@@themadtitan7603 if a man crying after seeing something seriously bothering is "pathetic" you're not a real man yourself realistically

[@themadtitan7603]

​@@srgetem I wasn't calling that moment pathetic. In fact, I cited him crying after stating "genuine emotional scenes..." I'm saying he sold the character to me through capturing all the vulnerability, pathetic moments, even the superstitions and quirks.

[@ianbrisland1982]

You could see Chrissie actually taking bits from Tony's real life - the acting classes. Hats of to Tony, bloody brilliant actor.

[@slappy8941]

*off

[@tims7894]

As would Christopher as his character in the show. He looks up to Tony and Paulie and picks up some of their traits as he spends more time with them

[@silentz0r]

He didn't have the makings of a varsity athlete though

[@bubblegum1948]

You can say that again, boss. Absolutely!

[@diogenes.]

Don't let me pull rank on you kid ..

[@John_Doe4269]

What a life. From a loan shark enforcer to an actor in one of the best TV shows in American history and into someone who spent his time and money trying to help other people out, leaving this place with a big loving family, lots of friends and admirers, not to mention the lives he touched by helping out. All because of theater classes in prison. If that's not art giving way to true reforming, I don't know what is.

[@xbman1]

That’s what you called Then American Dreams.

[@LoneRider1969]

Well said, I so agree !! 👏

[@PhiLLyPhiLLz]

He’s an authentic guy. I went to junior high school with his niece and my mom ran into him on my Avenue at a track betting spot. She told him that I love him in the show. (This was many years ago). Even after his fame & fortune, he never forgotten his roots or his people.

[@TheDunestrider]

I'm glad that Paulie Walnuts was one of the few to have survived The Sopranos.

[@lorf9303]

Paulie was the only unmarried guy, all the main male characters from the mob died one way or another (or went into a coma or got dementia or smth). I realised that at some point while rewatching, puts some real emphasis on the point made in this video, that he's only afraid of being alone and it actually coming true. All the wise guys who wouldn't have been alone in their later days never got to see those days, their families forever doomed to spend their holidays and whatnot without their husbands/fathers. In some way him never fathering children or marrying was the only reason he survived.

[@TSOL2023]

Spoiler alert- Ohhhhhhhh!!!!!!

[@HereticHydra]

@@lorf9303 He didn't look sad at all to me. Paulie's final scene looked sad from the audience's perspective because he's the only main character left but Paulie himself was just relaxing as if it were still season 2 or 4. I'm part of the camp who thinks that Patsy & Paulie sold out the Dimeos to the 5 families so I don't read loneliness in his final scene. Even in the actual episode it's played for laughs because of his superstition of that Adrianna cat who's obsessive over the Chris picture.

[@Liverpool5095]

The main reason his character survived was because he (Tony Sirico) put pressure on the writers and show staff that they couldn't kill off his character. Most Sopranos fans know that he made sure they couldn't make him an informant, but he also had another rule that they couldn't kill him off. The actors who played AJ and Meadow said how they saw him with their own eyes regularly approach newly hired writers for the show and tell them in a serious manner they were not allowed to kill him. So sadly, it was hard headedness that truly caused that. Similar to Silvios character, he was supposed to die in that shooting, but they changed it to a coma because Silvios actor put up a fuss. By the way, I'm not trying to demonize Sirico and am a huge fan of him and the show. It's just a fact.

[@jugo1944]

He probably got tony killed is why

[@jamieholtsclaw2305]

Tony Sirico was by far the funniest character on the show. Paulie took himself dead seriously while being ridiculous.

[@jimdaw65]

Indeed. The character never knew how funny that made him. The actor had the discipline not to "funny it up". Compare and contrast "Airplane" with "Police Academy".

[@wyldhowl2821]

@@jimdaw65 Yeah, but one of the great things in Airplane is how many of the actors are totally the "straight man" type playing their role seriously - it's the situations that are ridiculous, and their seriousness is what makes it funny.

[@harpoonhunter1683]

Say bye bye pop pop

[@mazzith]

One thing you missed was how he always stood with his hands in front of him. That’s from his days in the can and being ready to protect yourself. It’s a fighting position.

[@Youtubeuser1aa]

Ok

[@dddgtsd]

interesting, I always stand with my hands behind me. I've had an easy life though.

[@krystalharris79]

Some traits stemming from "habits" can not be un-learned, especially when established during formative years. Interesting how you caught that - but he may have developed that habit even before he spent time paying back his debt to society!

[@allysonpewterschmidt]

“When my time comes will I stand up?” Hits every time. Rest easy Sirico

[@Skanko]

I never understood that line

[@MD-kz9mi]

​@@SkankoThe lines meaning is up for debate. A common belief Is it being a nod to the future scene later in the series, where Paulie is in the boat with Tony and Tony is seriously thinking of killing him. After he interrogates Paulie about whether he was the one who passed information to New York, Paulie can then see that he is in serious trouble and his life is danger. Then when Tony is behind him and thinking about hitting him from behind, Paulie can feel the tension and he 'stands up' from his seat and walks to the edge of the boat. Many viewers think that quote was his subconscious mind pondering about what he will do in that exact situation that arose later in the series when he believed he was about to be killed. Paulie felt his time had come, so he stood up and accepted his fate.

[@serbkebab2763]

@MD-kz9mi Interesting analysis. I want to rewatch that boat scene.

[@jonathananderson3897]

The episode in the snow, in the woods is possibly the best episode of TV ever. 👍

[@JustChiminin]

Is that when he lost his shoe looking for the interior decorator from Czechoslovakia?

[@ivoshandor6859]

@@JustChiminin😂

[@noreo4961]

C'est là que la dérision dans cette situation arrive à son apothéose.

[@itchy...claypit]

Pine Barrens

[@ASHISHCR7VK18]

Fucking A . ..haha😂

[@ku-fc5nj]

Paulie Walnuts is one of my favorites supporting characters ever.

[@Toxodos]

he's got this almost childlike innocence to him. An evil, fkd up child, but you almost can't be mad with him

[@biden_warr3nx767]

One of the best!

[@buak809]

Supporting? Back up there Bluto, he did all the heavy lifting.

[@psygonzo7974]

Hes a murderer, but ok..You Muricans love that ey?@@Toxodos

[@pablozee6359]

Commendatori!

[@bikefixer]

I knew Tony Sirico casually in the early 1990s. There was a New York bar called Columbus where a lot of actors and production people hung out. In those days, he was known as "Junior" Sirico (ironically). One Monday night (when I wasn't there), a popular movie star was holding court, telling everyone what a headbreaker he was back in his teamster union days. He was saying things like, "If you talked too much, I'd knock your teeth out." At a certain point, Junior heard enough tough guy talk and challenged the star to a fight, ("I wanna see what you're made of"). The other patrons, grabbed their glasses, and followed the actors onto the street. In a few seconds, Junior knocked out the movie star, leaving him bloody on the sidewalk. The bartender and owner dragged the star back into the club before any more crowd gathered. But this is the crazy part. A couple of weeks later, Sirico got a part in the movie Goodfellas. The patrons at Columbus thought they saw a fight. Tony saw it differently, for him it was an audition.

[@masoncampbell3314]

Damn that’s a great f*cking story bro thank u for sharing that. Tony was a real life gangster haha

[@ApPillon]

He did his best with the cards he had

[@slizzysluzzer]

Can't have been early 90s if it was a part for Goodfellas since that was shot in 1989

[@r3doctave657]

@@slizzysluzzer What? Why would someone lie about such a thing on the internet? :P

[@wilburgraham6260]

Warnie knew him too Sean 😉 🤣

[@TheRealNormanBates]

7:28 funny that Paulie would say that. If you recall, near the end of the show, Paulie and Tony go out on a "one on one" cruise. Paulie kinda figured Tony was taking him out in more ways than one, and Tony definitely thought about it. When Tony went to get some more drinks, he sees that knife.. and what does Paulie do? He stands up to get a good view of the ocean.

[@P-Bass_Pete]

He was saying to Tony without saying it. "I'm a stand up guy". Even if Tony would have killed him right then and there, he was showing him he wasn't going out weak kneed and sitting down like Puss, or down on his knees begging for his life. To a man like Tony, that says very strongly that even if Paulie got pinched for something that would send him to jail forever, he took the oath seriously and wouldn't be flipped. There's always so much nuance in David Chase productions, that's what makes him great.

[@dstfno]

@@P-Bass_Pete Didn't Paulie collude with Sack at one time? He to me seemed like a character who only really cared about himself.

[@masoncampbell3314]

@@dstfno True. He was two faced at times and only cared about himself. And he killed that old lady and robbed her. So he wasn’t this amazing guy but he did have balls of steel. I feel like he would never flip for the sole reason that it would ruin his reputation.

[@dangerose9210]

He was slighted and disrespected by Tony. Paulie helped himself to no more than what he felt entitled to, his moves against Tony were no different from how season 1 moved against junior. The series frames it differently but Paulie had a legitimate argument

[@bearsuitClan]

@@P-Bass_Petewas puss sitting down? And did he know he was being taken out I forgot. Gotta rewatch here soon. Fave show

[@79Bobola]

R.I.P. Tony Sirico, great actor and my all time favorite character on Sopranos ❤️

[@yingyang1875]

Same here. He made the show great

[@DevSharma-h7w]

Rip😢😢

[@silverfox3031]

As someone who grew up in an Italian community I can 100% say that their mannerisms and way about is truly how Italians in America are, I got a little giddy when I watched it for the first seeing how close they are to my family

[@AoKodo]

That line “Idk…fucking slander you ask me!”

[@Thraith]

Yep. No one could deliver that line like he could.

[@stormblessed2321]

🤘

[@chrislaverick6413]

David chase’s ability to mix comedy with drama is unmatched, and Pauly walnuts is the heart of that

[@Agent1W]

Comedrama!

[@fullmetalheel]

​@@Agent1W Commendatori!

[@BroodYouth]

Poison Ivy, I can fell it all ova!!

[@wagu7003]

The epitome of that example is when he was stuck and freezing in the van . His way with words and facial expression were comedy gold

[@guguigugu]

@@wagu7003 that entire episode in the forest is comedy gold

[@armandbiro2954]

You have a good feel for mixing together your own narration and interviews of the actual people you're talking about. I didn't even realise I was watching a small channel. Keep it up!

[@jacksonabroad]

I second. Great production, it's very slick.

[@Nomzai]

Good point.

[@batfly]

You mean a REAL you tuber?

[@jpm199]

There are no small channels only shitty videos

[@internetperson9121]

Agreed, keep it up

[@MAVERICK_JAC]

It's easier to teach a criminal how to act than it is to teach and actor how to be a criminal.

[@AlumniQuad]

0:49 "With the setting of the show being set..."

[@tothemax0729]

In new jersey

[@MasqueofFlesh]

It opens a glimpse..

[@CrownAero]

To the American-Italian Heritage..

[@S3c7io81]

You get to see the small everyday details

[@matthewleflar7577]

From traditional Sunday dinners laden with pasta and red wine

[@vay2654]

Small, bite-sized 8 minute video yet filled with context, scenes and commentary, condensed into a quality sopranos video. Subscribed.

[@GNMbg]

yeah most youtubers would make a 2 hours essay out of this haha

[@rb6120]

Yea I’m w/ you. Great video

[@JayStudda]

Understatement

[@masoncampbell3314]

Yep I like this format. I’m about to subscribe too.

[@philiplee1119]

@@GNMbg OH AND YOU CANT FORGET THE OBNOXIOUS WAY THEY SAY EVERY SINGLE SENTENCE THE SAME TRYING TO SOUND INTELLIGENT AND ENTERTAINING LOL

[@shannonmcstormy5021]

I worked as a Doctoral-level Clinician (ret) helping ex-cons who wanted to walk away from the life. I did this for nearly half-a-century and the success stories like Paulie's are rare. The reasons for their rarity are complex, but I always felt that we needed to recognize and celebrate the wins. To be clear, the client always does the heavy lifting. While we tried to help, it was always, always the client who was responsible for their success. Thank you for sharing the above video.

[@sammik3959]

" You good doc, yes you good"!

[@charlesharper897]

Rip to a real OG 🙏🏻

[@br3akstuff]

You are a great person!

[@xhagast]

If you watch The Sopranos you will notice the large number of young cons who croaked along the way. And the ones said to be doing LONG sentences. And then the ones who didn't make it half way to old. And those who did who were croaked. They just didn't have time to walk out. Same with color gangsta. Before they are mid-twenties most are feeding daisies from beneath or in the can.

[@n.s.3812]

A lot of it comes down to whether or not they went through “the system”/were institutionalized and criminalized or not. I also do something tangential to this field for my career now, but I also went down this road for almost a decade on my late teens to twenties, complete with a heroin addiction. I think the biggest reason I was able to turn it around was largely due to luck and being able to avoid prison. I was caught a number of times but always wiggled my way out. My last hurrah found me facing 4 years due to getting caught with dope while already on a deferred sentence in drug court. My only way to avoid it was by voluntarily entering a long term (year) treatment facility, and there were still no guarantees. I did that year, and because I took it seriously and wanted to change, my counselor was sending weekly letters to the court on my progress, and the judge basically said what you did: that I was unfortunately the “exception and not the rule” but he was so happy to see a success story that he dropped everything (and even found a loophole to help me avoid the thousands in court fees). But I know hundreds of others that didn’t meet the same fate, and in my opinion (some qualitative analysis/interview projects I did back this up, but obviously can’t be proven), it was largely due to them having spent time in prison. That, as the cliche goes, is school for criminals, and it locks you into that world and system. Your prospects in the real world instantly diminish while your prospects in the criminal world are elevated. So most go the path of least resistance, unfortunately. Simple policy changes could fix this, which is why I ended up dedicating my life to public policy, but we are so far away from making the impact needed.

[@mikeytrains1]

My grandfather grew up with Tony Sirico around the neighborhood; he was about how you see it in the Sopranos in a way

[@BarrickMacready]

That's wild.

[@St4yfaded]

Fuuuckouttaheee 🤚

[@PietroVillaverde]

without a doubt he's one of the best characters of the Soprano's and by far it's one of the most "natural" in the show....I didn't know about his criminal past life and now it's make more sense to me. Nice video

[@sforza209]

The thing I love about the The Sopranos, the more you get to know each character, the funnier and funnier the show gets. I rewatch the sopranos once every 3-4 years.

[@AshPaddyM]

Playing a character that is intimidating and menacing, but is also the comedic relief, is almost an impossible role, but Tony somehow pulls it off. This is testament to his charisma and acting skills.

[@joerectifier]

it's not impossible when you have lived that way - internally - your whole life. When you grow up in a blue collar italian dominated family your whole life, most of fellas are very blunt, honest and hot headed but also tremendously fair and loving. You don't even realize it until you go out into the world

[@jeffgachihi8225]

_"Kid...you kicking up to Don Borko?"_🤟

[@gregoryporch8395]

"Heh Heh"

[@mitchellwright5478]

The Borko Crew? They’re a bunch of pygmys, a glorified crew. We serve Don Cerelious here, you fanook

[@logosmedia9942]

Borko really controls the sopranos KZbin clip game. This guys gotta kick up some points

[@kukuV.3]

Borko doesn't compromise like Phil

[@NotableSavage2]

It’s like Tommy used to be one of them but…now…he’s one of us.

[@3.2Carrera]

I couldn't agree more. My family is from Brooklyn so when I was young we shared holidays with several family members that were members of "other families" if you get my drift. I had trouble watching The Sopranos at first because I found the supporting characters to me more of what I experienced rather than the main ones. Tony Sirico the most accurate by a long shot. Probably because the Brooklyn accent and mannerisms are not easily copied along with his "Napoli Don" look. Some not 100% accurate for the New jersey mob, but for me it was spot on in my experience. Whatever happened on the street, the ones I knew had some or all of the traits of Tony Sirico's characterization. He was indeed the real deal and an excellent casting choice.

[@jhoughjr1]

Everything I see her says stereotypes are absolutely true. We glorify these guys and demonize the cartels

[@kimmehamehaaa7241]

If this were really true you wouldn't be spilling your guts about it on social media. 🤐

[@JayStudda]

@@kimmehamehaaa7241if you get my drift 😂

[@pico3378]

Who was the girl in the back in pink at 0:10

[@rossneil4413]

Unhinged question

[@ChepeTorres077]

Lmao

[@mr.snawley]

You’re either trolling or wayyyyy too desperate. Get outside more. I genuinely mean this, not as hate.

[@maamamamamamama]

@@mr.snawleyDoubt hes gonna see this lol this was 6 months ago

[@mr.snawley]

@@maamamamamamama yeah I don’t really care too much, hopefully others that agree with him will eventually. I get where you’re coming from though.

[@Dr_Kenneth_Noisewater]

Paulie was the best. Sirico made that character fantastic. Funny yet terrifying in an instant.

[@JH-lo9ut]

How can you not love the character of Paulie? Tragic, goofy, menacing and loyal. Tony Sirico did an amazing job.

[@humaamahamed6953]

tragic and loyal? He was an asswipe of the highest order

[@drewlovelyhell4892]

Well said.

[@chocobolinh8481]

Loyal is kinda overwhelmed in this case

[@surroundsoundfreak13]

I always loved hearing his chuckle that drove Tony nuts.

[@adamtschmidt4303]

Hehe

[@beckyp867]

In the episodes where the crew goes to Italy. The director needed some additional B roll footage so he went to Tony's hotel room last minute and said he needed some shots of him walking around Rome. So Tony left the room as is for the shots, he wore what he was wearing in real life, not a set costume. It's the shots you see of him wearing the mob style jogging outfit, he really dressed like that. lol

[@gsamalot]

it one of the best story of a man who lived a life of crime, an turn it around for the better of himself and later in his life use what he gain to help others. Tony is a real trooper, an while he can not be wipe away what he done in his past he still became a better man.

[@donkeysaurusrex7881]

“Don’t that make up for the evil I done?!” “Can’t none of us make up for the evil we done.”

[@malcolmschnauzer1054]

Born in Newark, N.J., grew up in Belleville, N.J. (home of uncle Junior) The Sopranos was filmed in and around my neighborhood. There were many times when roads would be closed, when businesses were closed, all to accomidate filming. We didn't care. We were all so proud to be able to see the filming and meet many of the cast and crew. Us Italians were so proud of The Sopranos! And yes, a lot of the strories were true, but don't ask me which ones...I'm not a rat!

[@18jk]

David Chase in the first few seconds of the vid. Never noticed till way after.

[@user-cp9id1mj8b]

same

[@darshin95]

he's also on the plane at the end of Luxury Lounge S6

[@DeclanDewar]

​@@darshin95always thought his only Cameo was in the Italy episode very well noticed

[@unclephillymya]

Commendatori ☕️

[@JB-xl2jc]

"David Chase, he is a keen observer..."

[@clocksurfer]

I was born on the South side of Chicago. I was privileged to know some wonderful Italian people (not connected, as far as I know). The culture and people were absolutely charming.

[@br3akstuff]

I'm intrigued by Italian-American culture because I live in the South where we really don't have many

[@girl24689]

@@br3akstuffIt’s wonderful! My Irish grandpa was practically taken in by an Italian family as a kid growing up in NYC and they would have him over for dinner every Sunday, and he and my grandma continued the tradition, having Sunday Italian dinners with us every week growing up in Baltimore ❤

[@BlazingOwnager]

I never thought about Pualie's fear of being alone. I always viewed him as the winner of the show, the last man standing - but in a way, that might have been worse on him.

[@Gunners_Mate_Guns]

Tony was an incredible actor and an ever more incredible human being. RIP, you legend.

[@GhostofEight]

0:08... purple top walking in the background. WHOAAAA hAAAAAA!!

[@milesmayhem5440]

In my book, you get points for staying out of the can.

[@garrybarry4286]

more points for not being a rat

[@zak1306]

Good thing for me then, that your book don’t mean OOGATZ to me

[@SimpleFoosball]

@@zak1306NOW DO YOURSELF A FUCKING FAVOUR AND GET THE FUCK OUTTA MY STORE!

[@thatpart]

Biscott? ​@@zak1306

[@jeremyweems4916]

"He was an interior decorator"

[@BigMoney23223]

Just another example of you never know what the future holds. Tony turned his life around later on, the founder of KFC wasn’t know until he was like 70. Fascinating what his life was, and what he turned it into. Legend

[@milesmayhem5440]

Tony worked for KFC?

[@shutemdwn]

He was a interior decorator too.@@milesmayhem5440

[@btf1287]

Clint Eastwood and Gene Hackman too I think

[@grammarnazi9440]

Nobody knows what the future holds sure Except Quasimodo He predicted all this

[@BigMoney23223]

@@grammarnazi9440 good one guy

[@Pointlesshandle48]

David Chase to the fans: 0:03

[@Srsgaming_1234]

I never knew that was him 😂

[@MrBossFML]

Why are comments with timestamps usually the first comments you see now

[@patrickcho791]

@@MrBossFMLbecause its kino

[@MrBossFML]

@@patrickcho791 i guess it's got the makings of a varsity athlete

[@OrwellianDystopia1984]

David Chase to Sopranos lore while making Many Saints.

[@AlanSmith88888]

Paulie walnuts is a fckin icon in NYC

[@thefreestylefrEaK]

RIP Tony July 8, 2022. Godspeed.

[@casteltheghettomonk4392]

Sopranos greatest casting ever , every actor on point ... Unlike so many other shows ....

[@bored7743]

This was touching in a way. Good on you paying him the respect he deserves. RIP

[@kriscreations4]

Very nicely put together.

[@Wa3ypx]

We are a German/English family. Growing up next to Italians, then working with them, they made me feel one of them. Can REALLY relate to these guys. Wonderful times.

[@michaelfontanelli2450]

There’s such a thing as redemption. I’m glad Tony “Junior” Sirico had a happy third act. R.I.P.

[@garrybarry4286]

Thanks for that, I loved everything about this clip, the title, the content, the sentiment, 10 out of ten

[@BlazingOwnager]

I'm sure he'd done fine as Uncle Junior but man he's so much better cast as Paulie. Plus Junior's actor was perfect, too.

[@istapleton11]

As a New Yorker I think he was my favorite character. He had the most depth and growth of anyone else over the series. Good video man.

[@Cartbalsam]

My mom met him at a funeral. She said he introduced himself and said he was in a show called the Sopranos. They had just released the first season that year. She told him I haven’t heard of it! It went on to be her favorite show.

[@robertandrews6555]

Every couple of years i watch the sopranos start to finish, just finished it again recently, it is without doubt the best thing ever to grace our screens,, absolute number 1. So many layers it just never ages

[@GiacomoSorbi]

2:38 - In an interview later in his life, Sirico himself mentioned being arrested 28 times and convicted only twice as a sign of his acting skills: zero remorse, zero fucks given 😎

[@legendarycheekymonkey]

Still my favourite character and favourite show of all TV I've watched in over 40 years. I watch The Sopranos through at least once a year and in my opinion it is absolute peak TV. It has everything. Paulie is so entertaining to me and so well acted by Sirico.

[@BEATNIKMACHINE]

I like your subtle ode to the show by finishing off by fading to black suddenly

[@nk6971]

the algorythm lords have spoken your channel deserves to grow

[@ScholarsInk]

Something you overlooked but might be interested in: the priest is his brother. And either Father Sirico or Tony once talked about a classic film about a family where one brother is a mobster and the other is a priest, and how the mobster brother turns from his ways. Really interesting (and super Italian-American) dynamic there.

[@joe18750]

That's a Robert DeNiro (plays the Preist) and Robert DuVall movie called, True Confessions.

[@jackofall2305]

He did time in sing sing correctional. I worked at green haven correctional facility we had a program called rehabilitation through the arts (RTA) They would put on plays with the inmates as the cast. Elected officials would come in to watch them. The guy who ran it was the actor who played the mayor in super troopers since it was actually filmed around here

[@txgunguy2766]

Audie Murphy literally played himself in the war movie about his WW2 experience. For the rest of his life he couldn't sleep without a handgun under his pillow.

[@gerardanthony9834]

This was terrific! Well done. My favorite character. Enjoyed every second with delightful asides and insights. Thanks!

[@VersusArdua]

The Sopranos casting was one of those special experiences where everybody was utterly irreplaceable in their roles. Truly lightning in a bottle in every sense

[@techster1852]

I haven’t watched a KZbin video in a long time and thought “man that was great” in a long time!!! Good stuff man!

[@yerrrrrrr3413]

Is that David Chase in the first clip? I never noticed if so

[@juma__]

yes, it's him

[@yerrrrrrr3413]

@@juma__ love it

[@josepartida1711]

Commendatore!

[@TruthTALKA]

I grew up in North Jersey and always been a fan of Mob movies. It wasn't until I moved to Texas a few years back that I actually gave Sopranos a watch. I'm so dmb for never watching it, I knew about it but I never had HBO at home. KZbin clips actually put me on it. I've watched it every year now from season 1 to finish as a yearly tradition lol Funny thing is I actually went to the strip club they filmed bada bing at , ate at lodi pizzeria and my whole life visited the garden state mall they filmed at.

[@donkeysaurusrex7881]

Livin the dream!

[@DavidFobare]

The Sirico genes were strong. We see Tony’s brother Robert in the video but do not learn *his* story. Robert is a renowned priest and founder of the Acton Institute. Acton provided much of the intellectual ballast for the American Catholic Right in the 80s & 90’s and arguably had more influence than George Wiegel.

[@crabwilde]

dont forget 'scumbag'

[@repealthepatriotact]

So....his brother was a cult leader?

[@DavidFobare]

@@repealthepatriotact why would you say that? Was JP2 a cult leader? Your bigotry is showing.

[@repealthepatriotact]

@@DavidFobare Why would I say he's a cult leader?? Because a priest is, by definition, LITERALLY a cult leader. What's wrong with you??

[@repealthepatriotact]

@@DavidFobare Who is JP2? You mean the pope? LMAO 🤣🤣🤣. The pope is the leader of the largest cult the world. This is not an opinion, it is an indisputable proven FACT. Do you not know the definition of the word "cult"? Just because you believe what the cult says doesn't change the fact that, by definition, it is still a cult. You may need to speak with a deprogrammer.

[@bradt8019]

He was definitely my favorite character on the Sopranos. 🤔👍

[@daskommandantkrieger2503]

And in the end, David Chase took a giant shit on top of his own head. That Saints of Newark flick SUCKED.

[@m.kultra4101]

Dying alone, and living a life knowing you’ll die alone is a fate that even the hardest man will cringe at.

[@th3R0b0t]

Or dying alone inside, surrounded by "family" or "friends"

[@Alexvander10]

Nice video and tribute. Had no idea he passed away in 2022. One of the funniest and simultaneously scary character actors. Even his gray "wings" added so much to his persona.

[@ScottyMania313]

This is awesome! I never knew about the charity work. That's great. Thank you for the video, it made me feel great after watching. R.I.P. Tony

[@jadedone6900]

This was very well done. I like learning more about the real people behind the actors... especially the ones you see a lot of, but who aren't necessarily "famous".

[@BerylSapir]

He had unknowingly taken up sleepwalking as a nighttime hobby.

[@MetalheadBrjann]

They did the same with Happy in Sons of anarchy. He is or was a member of the Hells Angel's. Was only meant to be a liaison on teaching them to ride bikes.

[@amanpreetsingh2725]

There's a reason the algo has this blowing this up, keep up the great content!

[@VapurVlad]

Just saw this one blew up for you!!! Yay love your content dude

[@truegrit7697]

There will never be another series as compelling as the Sopranos. I miss that show.

[@atodamadre3197]

Im my opinion, Paulie and Tony are the main reason the sopranos is so easy to rewatch

[@Broccoli_32]

Walter is not an Anti-hero he’s a menace 💀

[@medlyman6513]

Guys the sopranos inspired game of thrones more than the books did this is crazy

[@Monumentum616]

Great video, enjoyed that!

[@andyh2783]

Paulie was always my favorite character on the show.

[@SLYZANY]

I love this fucking guy! Nothing beats authenticity.

[@JohnBennett-xq4rb]

Excellent video!!!

[@Payman64]

6:26 it’s 1989

[@libertyforall5764]

0:24 Looks like the Russian rat symbol in the background, along with the colors.

[@PavluchoProductions]

Womp womp

[@Deuce4200]

Paulie Walnuts was awesome in the Sopranos, and all of the other movies he was in!! He will be missed!!

[@va3dxv]

@2:04 had to search to find out what film that was with Buscemi and Sirico - It's "The Search for One Eyed Jimmy (1994)". Samuel Jackson and Sam Rockwell in it too, along with John and Aida Turturro and Jennifer Beals - decent cast

[@hattorihongzo]

I worked on a Sopranos licensed video game & traveled to NJ to see the show set. Mr. Sirico happened to be there when our little group was being given a mini tour. He was gregarious and engaging with us, gave me a nice compliment on my hair LOL. His real life way of talking was exactly like his characters - animated with the hand gestures. A genuine guy.

[@Jago-Shogun]

I think he was always a generous soul. A lot of people "on the edge" are just doing it out of survival. But once they make it, they're cozy enough to help those around them. Not just in big gangs, but any friends you make while poor help you appreciate family and loyalty. It's all you got.

[@Throgman33]

Really just goes to show, authenticity is unparalleled in the arts.

[@dankill9131]

Wow, I can't imagine the show with Sirico as Junior. Paulie is definitely my favorite character in the show and that is all because of Sirico.

[@soapbox187]

Fun fact! The first guy with the cigarette is the shows creator, David Chase. Sopranos is a drama incomparable to any other. Ive seen the series about 5 times and it never gets old. The only other shows I never get tired of watching are Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul, Boardwalk Empire and Silicon Valley.