‘Sopranos’ stars Lorraine Bracco, Michael Imperioli tearfully pay tribute to James Gandolfini at Emmys 2024
They woke up this morning … and decided to get some of the gang back together at the 2024 Emmy Awards.
Lorraine Bracco and Michael Imperioli reunited onstage to present the nominee for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series, which ultimately went to Imperioli’s “The White Lotus” co-star Jennifer Coolidge.
“Speaking for Michael, myself and the entire cast and crew, it was an honor working with ‘Sopranos’ creator David Chase,” Bracco, 69, said.
As she appeared to get choked up, she added: “And, of course, the great James Gandolfini.”
Imperioli, 57, for his part, noted that they were “fortunate” to work on the iconic show.
HBO’s “The Sopranos” ran for six seasons from 1999 to 2007 and cemented its actors in television history. The mob drama was such a success that it wasn’t until 2014 that it was surpassed as the channel’s most-watched show, by “Game of Thrones.”
In honor of the show’s 25th anniversary, the network just dropped behind-the-scenes footage from the show that equals five hours of new content and 15 deleted scenes.
Ahead of their reunion at the Emmys, creator David Chase, Bracco, Vincent Pastore, Kathrine Narducci, Aida Turturro, Steven Van Zandt and Steve Schirripa, among others, gathered to celebrate the major milestone at New York City’s Da Nico Ristorante.
Two of the show’s major players were missed: late stars Gandolfini and Tony Sirico. Gandolfini’s son, Michael, who took over the Tony role in the 2021 prequel film “The Many Saints of Newark,” blended in seamlessly with his father’s former co-stars. Noticeably absent were Edie Falco, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Robert Iler, Michael Imperioli and Drea de Matteo, who played major roles in the series.
“The Sopranos” followed the life of Tony Soprano (James Gandolfini), a New Jersey mob boss struggling to balance his family life — both blood and crime. The delicate balance of maintaining a happy home and the peace within his mob organization leads him to reluctantly start therapy sessions to deal with the resulting anxiety.
In 2019, Schirripa, who played a member of Tony’s crew and his brother-in-law, said of the show’s continuing popularity: “I think it’s because it was about family. And I think it was one of the few times you see mob guys with real problems, family problems like we all have. Sons and daughters and wives and in-laws. I think people could really relate to it.”
Gandolfini passed away from a heart attack at age 51 in 2013. Following his death, his former castmates honored the Soprano patriarch.
Falco, who played his on-screen wife, said, “He was a man of tremendous depth and sensitivity, with a kindness and generosity beyond words. I consider myself very lucky to have spent 10 years as his close colleague.”
Show creator Chase said, “He wasn’t easy sometimes. But he was my partner, he was my brother in ways I can’t explain and never will be able to explain.”
His on-screen daughter, Sigler, said, “Jim had the ability, unbeknownst to Jim, to make you feel like everything would be alright if he was around. I treasure my memories with him and feel so honored that I was an up-close witness to his greatness.”
On the 10-year anniversary of his death, they continued to honor the man who helped them change TV’s landscape. Imperioli, who played Tony’s protégé, wrote on Instagram: “Would love to have shot one more scene or had another laugh or one more late-night chat. Forever grateful to have done so much work together, to have spent so much time in your company and for all the generosity and kindness.”
Michael — only 14 years old when his dad passed — honored him on Father’s Day by sharing a throwback photo on Instagram, writing: “Happy Father’s Day Dad. I love you. Today, tomorrow, and everyday. I miss you. I love you.”
The show reinvigorated or launched the careers of its cast. Falco led the drama “Nurse Jackie” for seven seasons and recently joined the “Avatar” franchise with “Avatar: The Way of Water.” She’s set to reprise her role in the third installment next year.
Imperioli, for his part, found success at HBO again in “The White Lotus” Season 2 (no word yet on if he’ll make an appearance in Season 3).
In July 2023, Sigler teamed up with her on-screen little brother, Iler, for the podcast “Not Today, Pal.”
Stream “The Sopranos” and “The Many Saints of Newark” on Max.
