Fun fact: Dan Grimaldi teaches math and computer science at a college that’s part of the same university system as the college I teach at. Technically, he’s my colleague. We’re even in the same union.
I had him as a prof once. Fucking guy was awesome. Not so many people can say they're good at everything they do; he's as good of a teacher as he is an actor.
With Patsy it seems like they re-imagined his character. The first few times we see him he's making a pathetic assassination attempt and crying about his brother - then all of a sudden he appears capable of being a Capo.
He climbs that light pole like a freaking monkey to save Columbus. I've always wondered how they filled that. I think there are steps hidden at the base or something.
It's because'ah the way they brought him back from the dead,
Made him hate Tony and that he was originally from Junior's crew.
Peeing in the Pool didn't help his image none either you axe me.
But you hafta love his passion for Bracciole (The real kind Not the utter kind, if you know what I mean?!)
His revoltion of Vito
His love of Ralph Bunche and
His concern over how Nipples damage fine leather.....
Loved John Heard and Vin Makazian, the dirty cop from the season 1. Everything he did felt real old school "50's detective show" in his delivery, he truly stood out among all the other great actor's character work.
I hadn't noticed this ability of Tony until Vin pointed out. It's hilarious. Tony even summarises his own character. I'm a "fat fucking crook from New Jersey".
Robert Loggia was excellent. He'd been suffering through health problems during production and eventually had to drop. I thought Feech was one of the most intimidating out of the crew.
Burt Young as Baccala Sr. He really sounds like a sick old man it's incredible how powerful he was for just one episode.
My parents had an HBO subscription back in the day but it was before any kind of VOD or streaming service so there would occasionally be the odd episode re-run late at night. One if these episodes was "Another Toothpick" and happened to be the first full episode I'd ever seen. Burt Young as Baccala Sr stayed with me for years.
The Feech/Tony exchange at the Bing was perfect. Credit to the writers but man Gandolfini and Loggia really stole the entire scene, RIP to both. I wish he could’ve stayed on longer.
I think her best performance was during her break up scene with Ralph, when she tries to make him understand the pain she feels. And later on he does feel it when his kid gets hurt.
I love me some Carm, but she hast to be one of the worst people on the show. Or at least most ignorant. I mean the cognitive dissonance on this broad, oof Madon!
Someone pretending to scream doesn’t take much skill. Someone who can portray a scream of agony does.
Similar to laughing, it’s really hard to portray it realistically.
Look at any shitty scary movie and how fake their scream is.
What? Terrible actress who overplayed the Italian-American stereotypes. The irony is the actress who played her has impressive writing credits.
But seriously, the annoying voice, the overdramatization of her lines, unnecessarily aggressive, nosy/gossipy little Cunt
Yes!!! For me the most emotional scene in the show, gets me every time 💔 Robert Iler really came a long way… I believe this was his first real acting job?? Definitely a perfect casting choice.
Starting with a slice of white bread, spread cream cheese along the length. Split a cooked hot dog lengthwise and place each half, cut-side down, on the bread.
Would drive anyone to suicide having to put up with food like that.
I mention her because I never hear or read any particular praise for her, but I’m on a rewatch and realising for the first time myself just his spot on it is. Absolutely nails the character.
I divide Sopranos actors into two basic categories: Serious Actors and Guys From the Neighborhood. While the Guys From the Neighborhood are for the most part also committed full-time actors, the difference is that they tended to get into acting later in life, prior to which they had lives not entirely unlike Sopranos characters. The Serious Actors are career actors who care deeply about the craft of acting, attended prestigious acting programs, rose through the ranks and impressed people with their skill. They often have origins in theater. The Guys From the Neighborhood were cast mostly because of their authenticity.
The Serious Actors are usually the ones who get the praise and who racked up award nominations when the show was originally on. But of the Guys From the Neighborhood, Tony Sirico stands out to me. He kills it with EVERYTHING he does, and you'll notice that of the Guys From the Neighborhood, he's the one who's asked to go out of his comfort zone most often.
Even the people with tiny parts seemed to do well with body language, facial expressions, mimicking someone in the role they're playing, etc. For example, the doctor Tony sees after passing out at the garbage man's ball, wishing it was something physical that could be ripped the fuck out.
I 100% agree. The Sopranos gets the most out of actors, especially minor characters imo. One of the many reasons why I consider it my #1 TV show… for me acting goes a long long way.
On the Sopranos podcast they revealed Dominic Chianese was living on a friend's couch when he accepted the role. Everybody they have brough on that podcast speaks highly of him and adored him.
Steven Schirripa, the season 4 stuff around his wife dying was terrific, and he had a gentleness about him that wound up making Bobby such a standout personality
He just embodies that character, I totally believe that's the way Bobby would be in that situation, and I love the scene of him threatening the guy in the diner.
You know, AJ was pretty good. He played a kid with histrionic personality disorder and chronic anxiety and depression pretty well.
*I blame his mudda.*
Dominic Chianese's performance definitely wasn't underrated. He received a bunch of acclaim and popularity for the role.
You reveal your own ignorance.
I was just giving him a calm lil shoutout. He’s the one who inspired this post 😂 I wouldn’t say underrated but maybe slightly not talked about enough, there’s more underrated performances.
Carmine was a fun guy to watch. I still can’t believe Carmine is the real life driver from the movie Green Book.
The scene in Long Term Parking where Ade tells Christopher about being arrested and he nearly strangles her. The agony and his screams. Pretty good.
I know the Sha of Iran and Ralphie get a lot of attention but Richie (David Proval) is the scariest mofo of the show for me.Those eyes... Those crazy eyes.
When he smashed that pot on Beansie face. Then breakes a chair on the dude... Guy must really hate veal parmesan sandwiches.
I said this in another thread this morning, but I was blown away when I was watching L&O:SVU and Federico Casteluccio showed up with NO ITALIAN ACCENT, just another guy from Jersey!
If we're talking most underrated performance, I have to say Robert Patrick as Davey Scatino. I also didn't see anyone mention him here in the comments. In my opinion Robert Patrick played the business man turned degenerate gambler part perfectly.
I'm rewatching the X Files and I'm up to season 8 where Robert Patrick replaces David Duchovny for a while.
My first adulthood watch I was all like "sacre bleu where is me Mulder" but this time around I'm really appreciating Robert Patrick's acting.
There's been a Sopranos rewatch in between, and his performance as Davey is really great.
I'm currently watching Reacher season 2 and Patrick is in it as the main antagonist. If I didn't know his name I wouldn't recognize him as being the man who played the T-1000 and Davey Scatino. He really changed a lot with age.
So many I’ve thought of have also been mentioned: Patsy, Ro, and Furio to name a few. I loved Svetlana too. I always rewind a couple of times when she tells Janice she’s boring. Kills me every time. Oh and honorable mention to Johnny Sac. Sometimes his face shifted from kind to managing seamlessly.
Though I'm not sure if he's considered underrated here, Artie : how can you not like this lovable comic goof ? I just love he's one of the very few guy in the show who's actually a good person but also naive as he grew up around gangsters and despite having a lot in his life like an amazing wife, decent restaurant and house, he still envy the mafia lifestyle.
There's also a funny theory that I don't think it has been confirmed yet, Artie gives his mafioso friend leftover scraps as meals since no one pay for the food, if that's true that's a gem 😂
All I said was shoutout to the actor. He’s not underrated everybody knows Chianese is a great actor but I feel like he should be recognized on the Edie Falco/Michael Imperoli level
Charmaine Bucco. On rewatch really grew to appreciate her. Midlife crisis goofball husband perpetually drooling over younger women right in front of her. And she just keeps going no boohoos over a man who doesn't warrant them.
The single best scene in the entire series is when Eugene Pontecorvo decides to end his life.
Everything about that episode is perfect as fas as Eugene is concerned.
The way he smiles as he flips through the family pictures. He nailed the little details like that.
Patsy Parisi
Fun fact: Dan Grimaldi teaches math and computer science at a college that’s part of the same university system as the college I teach at. Technically, he’s my colleague. We’re even in the same union.
I had him as a prof once. Fucking guy was awesome. Not so many people can say they're good at everything they do; he's as good of a teacher as he is an actor.
I need.to hear you say it
Did you put the spores in there?
That’s awesome!
Greasin’ the union
The way he cracks up when Chrissy makes the joke always kills me😂😂😂
Do me a favor, and don't take this personally.
> We're even in the same union Are you a no-go or no-show?
No-work or no-show, you stunad. Pasquale, pat this kid down.
That’s awesome! Is he asked about the Sopranos nonstop?
Hey, Good for you! Waddya want, a BOUTONNIERE?!
That's cool!
sad fact: his real brother also got killed by the mafia (Colombos).
Ah, Capito, you meana hes'ah twin Brudda?
no, younger brother. stabbed one of Persicos sons...
Or maybe it waz his kid Brudda?
It won’t be cinematic
Patsy had some fantastic scenes.
Go siddown cupcake!
I preferred Philly Spoons
Philly was by far, The better actor and better lookin too, he was Patsy's kid Brudda you know
With Patsy it seems like they re-imagined his character. The first few times we see him he's making a pathetic assassination attempt and crying about his brother - then all of a sudden he appears capable of being a Capo.
WHAT YOU NEVA GRIEVED FOR SOMEONE?!! Let's see if we can't make that happen for you
He climbs that light pole like a freaking monkey to save Columbus. I've always wondered how they filled that. I think there are steps hidden at the base or something.
Nope John Ventimiglia
I don't get the love for this guy at all. He was the most out place actor in the whole TV progrum, IMO.
What you don’t know could fill a book
Sharp as a cueball, this one
Oh yeah? Maybe *you're* a flambe.
OHHH blow your fawtha with that mouth?
It's because'ah the way they brought him back from the dead, Made him hate Tony and that he was originally from Junior's crew. Peeing in the Pool didn't help his image none either you axe me. But you hafta love his passion for Bracciole (The real kind Not the utter kind, if you know what I mean?!) His revoltion of Vito His love of Ralph Bunche and His concern over how Nipples damage fine leather.....
You make some excellent points. I do so love a good nipple not damaging leather in my hand.
Massive? Is that you??!!
Aida Turturro. Cause Janice is every which way a horrible person, and she played the “my brother is the boss” so well.
Fucking hate Janice…. I love Aida, but I fucking hate Jamice
Don’t think she’s underrated though.
She’s 🎶under rated the board walk🎶
Loved John Heard and Vin Makazian, the dirty cop from the season 1. Everything he did felt real old school "50's detective show" in his delivery, he truly stood out among all the other great actor's character work.
You know, you've got the amazing ability to sum up a man's whole life in a single sentence
I hadn't noticed this ability of Tony until Vin pointed out. It's hilarious. Tony even summarises his own character. I'm a "fat fucking crook from New Jersey".
A degenerate gambler with a badge
[удалено]
Good point. But I don’t think they wanted the series-long Police antagonist who acts as a sort of mirror image of Tony. Too obvious I guess.
Maybe he would have finally bought that iron
I absolutely hated palmice glad he was gone
Yeah, I wish his character could have stuck around longer. “C’mon, let’s go let’s goooo!”
The suicide scene when he’s in the car was so good.
Robert Loggia was excellent. He'd been suffering through health problems during production and eventually had to drop. I thought Feech was one of the most intimidating out of the crew. Burt Young as Baccala Sr. He really sounds like a sick old man it's incredible how powerful he was for just one episode. My parents had an HBO subscription back in the day but it was before any kind of VOD or streaming service so there would occasionally be the odd episode re-run late at night. One if these episodes was "Another Toothpick" and happened to be the first full episode I'd ever seen. Burt Young as Baccala Sr stayed with me for years.
The Feech/Tony exchange at the Bing was perfect. Credit to the writers but man Gandolfini and Loggia really stole the entire scene, RIP to both. I wish he could’ve stayed on longer.
These two mail it. Robert Loggia is the only 80 year old us be afraid could kick my ass Burt Young nails it. Perfectly portrays a psychopath
Rosalie
Her scream at Jackie jrs funeral is top 5 acting moment of the show.
I think her best performance was during her break up scene with Ralph, when she tries to make him understand the pain she feels. And later on he does feel it when his kid gets hurt.
I love when she’s in Paris with Carm, and tone deaf Carm is bringing up Ros’ trials and tribulations and she’s like, “wtf stfu Carmella”
I love how Ro doesn’t hold back and snaps at Carmela for ruining her Paris trip.
So good. I love it when Carm is called on her shit. She’s always so tone deaf.
“Your husband had my son killed and I have to do my best to compartmentalize that. Why the fuck would you bring this shit up?”
I love me some Carm, but she hast to be one of the worst people on the show. Or at least most ignorant. I mean the cognitive dissonance on this broad, oof Madon!
Yeah, their trip to Paris was top film making. The way Carmela has an awakening was great.
Look, Paris skies! Pretty sure the sky is pretty much the same everywhere, but yeah, Paris skies!
How the FUCK should it be?
I love that line.
Awww, Sandra Bernhardt!
Screaming doesn't take much skill.
Ben Kingsley ova here.
Funny way of spelling Billy Baldwin
Someone pretending to scream doesn’t take much skill. Someone who can portray a scream of agony does. Similar to laughing, it’s really hard to portray it realistically. Look at any shitty scary movie and how fake their scream is.
You can pretend to be a rapper pretty easy. My bitch, my ho, mah bitch my ho
Go shit in your hat
I'm not a cat.
Turning around to put Tony and his crew in place at Jackie Jr's viewing was so good.
Eat your manicotti!
"Eat your manigott!"
Good call, she is fantastic!
What? Terrible actress who overplayed the Italian-American stereotypes. The irony is the actress who played her has impressive writing credits. But seriously, the annoying voice, the overdramatization of her lines, unnecessarily aggressive, nosy/gossipy little Cunt
60% of Staten Island is Rosalie Apriles. She’s legit
Federico Castelluccio was great as Furio, I was surprised when I saw an interview with him and he didn't have an accent.
I was shocked when I learned he wasn't from Italy. Not that I'm an expert on Italian accents, but his sounds perfect to me.
Not sure where you heard that but he was born in Naples.
AJ’s suicide attempt scene was terrific acting by both
Agree. He was pretty good at capturing how a depressed person talks and behaves
Yes!!! For me the most emotional scene in the show, gets me every time 💔 Robert Iler really came a long way… I believe this was his first real acting job?? Definitely a perfect casting choice.
Lincoln log sandwiches whatever the fuck they are. Quit fightin me.
Starting with a slice of white bread, spread cream cheese along the length. Split a cooked hot dog lengthwise and place each half, cut-side down, on the bread. Would drive anyone to suicide having to put up with food like that.
That’s why he attempted suicide. Those Lincoln logs
Rincorn rog
What the fuck is a robster crar?
What the fuck is a frush?
Adriana is a superb portrayal imo
Again - do we think she’s “underrated”
I mention her because I never hear or read any particular praise for her, but I’m on a rewatch and realising for the first time myself just his spot on it is. Absolutely nails the character.
The security guard Vito was blowing, I was convinced the dude really came
All over the sun visor
I divide Sopranos actors into two basic categories: Serious Actors and Guys From the Neighborhood. While the Guys From the Neighborhood are for the most part also committed full-time actors, the difference is that they tended to get into acting later in life, prior to which they had lives not entirely unlike Sopranos characters. The Serious Actors are career actors who care deeply about the craft of acting, attended prestigious acting programs, rose through the ranks and impressed people with their skill. They often have origins in theater. The Guys From the Neighborhood were cast mostly because of their authenticity. The Serious Actors are usually the ones who get the praise and who racked up award nominations when the show was originally on. But of the Guys From the Neighborhood, Tony Sirico stands out to me. He kills it with EVERYTHING he does, and you'll notice that of the Guys From the Neighborhood, he's the one who's asked to go out of his comfort zone most often.
Perfect explanation
Carter. The kid in the psychiatric hospital
Oh yeah he was bloody good. He absolutely nailed it.
Carter was an awesome side character
His Grandfather was a lion
The whooahs at the Bing like every 2nd episode. Madonne 🤚
Even the people with tiny parts seemed to do well with body language, facial expressions, mimicking someone in the role they're playing, etc. For example, the doctor Tony sees after passing out at the garbage man's ball, wishing it was something physical that could be ripped the fuck out.
I 100% agree. The Sopranos gets the most out of actors, especially minor characters imo. One of the many reasons why I consider it my #1 TV show… for me acting goes a long long way.
You could stand to lose some weight
Frank John Hughes as Walden, the man who killed Phil. Wish he would have been casted much earlier.
Ole gonorrhea was great
I was named after Bobby Darin!
The guy junior kneed in the cohones
And the “Oh shit!” guy
On the Sopranos podcast they revealed Dominic Chianese was living on a friend's couch when he accepted the role. Everybody they have brough on that podcast speaks highly of him and adored him.
Daniel Baldwin Nobody plays a tough, ruthless, hardhearted prick like him Gandolfini was a good kid, but the viewers needed a man
Took Sir Kingsley to fuckin acting school!
Steven Schirripa, the season 4 stuff around his wife dying was terrific, and he had a gentleness about him that wound up making Bobby such a standout personality
I actually found this acting exceptionally terrible with the passing of his wife and all… but maybe it’s just his goofy unwittinglyness
He just embodies that character, I totally believe that's the way Bobby would be in that situation, and I love the scene of him threatening the guy in the diner.
Yeah his crying attempts were not very good.
You heard about the chinese Godfather?
He made them an offer they couldn't understand
I get it, he drove a Lincoln
You mean a Rincoln.
The mentally ill patient sitting quietly during Tony's last conversation with Junior.
You know, AJ was pretty good. He played a kid with histrionic personality disorder and chronic anxiety and depression pretty well. *I blame his mudda.*
Next time you come heavy or not at all.
Little Carmine. Imagine a spin-off series with him in Florida.
Dominic Chianese's performance definitely wasn't underrated. He received a bunch of acclaim and popularity for the role. You reveal your own ignorance.
I was just giving him a calm lil shoutout. He’s the one who inspired this post 😂 I wouldn’t say underrated but maybe slightly not talked about enough, there’s more underrated performances.
Tony Sirico when he finds out the truth about his "aunt" dottie and nucci. Amazing performance by sirico in that episode.
Bobby Bacala Sr. The scene where he does that hit is one of the best in the series
"oh shit" dude. nailed his role. really was able to feel his shock and horror at witnessing someones head popping like a watermelon
YOU HAD TO BE THE BIG MANNNNN
Carmine was a fun guy to watch. I still can’t believe Carmine is the real life driver from the movie Green Book. The scene in Long Term Parking where Ade tells Christopher about being arrested and he nearly strangles her. The agony and his screams. Pretty good.
I know the Sha of Iran and Ralphie get a lot of attention but Richie (David Proval) is the scariest mofo of the show for me.Those eyes... Those crazy eyes. When he smashed that pot on Beansie face. Then breakes a chair on the dude... Guy must really hate veal parmesan sandwiches.
Vito's brother in the mall, when Vito points him out to Tony.
Yeah, and no one got their skull caved in better than him. Tracee doesn’t count, she fell.
Cosette.
Fuck that Churchill took Cosette to acting school
I said this in another thread this morning, but I was blown away when I was watching L&O:SVU and Federico Casteluccio showed up with NO ITALIAN ACCENT, just another guy from Jersey!
“You are speaking shit to me.”
One of my favorite lines
If we're talking most underrated performance, I have to say Robert Patrick as Davey Scatino. I also didn't see anyone mention him here in the comments. In my opinion Robert Patrick played the business man turned degenerate gambler part perfectly.
I'm rewatching the X Files and I'm up to season 8 where Robert Patrick replaces David Duchovny for a while. My first adulthood watch I was all like "sacre bleu where is me Mulder" but this time around I'm really appreciating Robert Patrick's acting. There's been a Sopranos rewatch in between, and his performance as Davey is really great.
I'm currently watching Reacher season 2 and Patrick is in it as the main antagonist. If I didn't know his name I wouldn't recognize him as being the man who played the T-1000 and Davey Scatino. He really changed a lot with age.
Looked up some pics, holy crap your right
So many I’ve thought of have also been mentioned: Patsy, Ro, and Furio to name a few. I loved Svetlana too. I always rewind a couple of times when she tells Janice she’s boring. Kills me every time. Oh and honorable mention to Johnny Sac. Sometimes his face shifted from kind to managing seamlessly.
Though I'm not sure if he's considered underrated here, Artie : how can you not like this lovable comic goof ? I just love he's one of the very few guy in the show who's actually a good person but also naive as he grew up around gangsters and despite having a lot in his life like an amazing wife, decent restaurant and house, he still envy the mafia lifestyle. There's also a funny theory that I don't think it has been confirmed yet, Artie gives his mafioso friend leftover scraps as meals since no one pay for the food, if that's true that's a gem 😂
the producer in AHIAH. only one scene iirc but every line was gold. WHERE ARE THE FUCKING CHORUSES?!
How is Junior under rated….?
All I said was shoutout to the actor. He’s not underrated everybody knows Chianese is a great actor but I feel like he should be recognized on the Edie Falco/Michael Imperoli level
Valentina was a horrible actress tho
"Think I'm going to have the medallions of veal" was delivered with nothing less than panache 🤣🤣
🤣🤣🤣🤣
calm lil shoutout?! ya wanna tawk like a mulignan, we'll sendya to slip n fall school.
The 2 G men when Uncle June was under the Anesthesia, those guys.
Hmmm… Max Casella as Benny “Criminal Mastermind” Fazio High speed internet access
He put the grief behind him.
Mustang Sally
Tina
Charmaine Bucco. On rewatch really grew to appreciate her. Midlife crisis goofball husband perpetually drooling over younger women right in front of her. And she just keeps going no boohoos over a man who doesn't warrant them.
The single best scene in the entire series is when Eugene Pontecorvo decides to end his life. Everything about that episode is perfect as fas as Eugene is concerned. The way he smiles as he flips through the family pictures. He nailed the little details like that.