HBO’sThe Sopranosis still regarded as one of the greatest television dramas of all time and is also one of the most rewatchable shows to date.
Created byDavid Chase,The Sopranosfollows New Jersey mob boss, Tony Soprano, played by the irreplaceableJames Gandolfini, who tries to balance his unconventional work in “waste management” and his personal life as a family man without ending up behind bars or six feet under.
Gandolfini is joined by an impressive supporting cast includingEdie Falco,Michael Imperioli, andDominic Chianese, who all play unforgettable characters in this iconic series.While most of the characters inThe Sopranosaren’t meant to be a likable and lovable bunch, fans still gravitate towards them and their unique qualities, which essentially provide the show’s allure.
Even though the show features an array of top-notch characters, there are some, such as Silvio Dante, Paulie Walnuts, and Johnny Sack, who reign as the best in the series.
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Cast
15Janice Soprano
Played by Aida Turturro
There’s a saying that if someone who is playing a villain or catalyst is generally despised by viewers, then they’re doing a pretty damn good job.
Morally, Tony Soprano’s oldest sister, Janice Soprano (Aida Turturro), is far from the best and beloved, but when it comes to conveying a surrogate to Tony’s mother with her constant conflict and drama, Janice hits the nail on the head.
While she may not be the fans' number one favorite character, Janice always manages to stir the pot with her manipulation and passive-aggressive behavior which makes her a crucial character.
Aside from viewers being able to count on her to be a pain in Tony’s ass, Janice also brings an intriguing element to the table as she transitions into a life as a mother and wife.Her behavior as a spouse and caregiver serves as a preview of Livia’s early days and the influence she had over her children and husband, adding a bit more of an insight into the dysfunctional dynamics within the Soprano family.
14Ralph Cifaretto
Played by Joe Pantoliano
Let’s face it, every fan loves to hate Ralph Cifaretto, who typically gets his kicks out of stirring the pot with his dark and twisted behavior.
While Ralphie is behind several unfortunate events, he is one of Tony’s best earners and his wicked sense of humor brings an element of shock and awe to the show.
Played byJoe Pantoliano, Ralphie made his initial appearance in the show in Season 3, episode 2, “Proshai Livushka,” where he expresses his sympathies to Tony about the loss of his mother.
While Ralphie doesn’t make much of a fuss in the beginning, he soon becomes the source of all of Tony’s problems, ranging from the senseless murder of a Bada Bing girl, Tracee (Ariel Kiley), to telling an insensitive joke about Johnny Sack’s (Vincent Curatola) wife.Even though Ralphie is a borderline sociopath, there’s no denying the character brought a certain dramatic qualityand sarcastic humor to the show which ultimately makes him one of theall-time best villains inThe Sopranos.
Image via HBO
13Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpenserio
Played by Vincent Pastore
First things first, yes, Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpenserio was a rat, but by the end of the show, it’s revealed that almost everyone in Tony’s crew was talking to the Feds.
Of course, fans were disappointed by Big Pussy’s betrayal, but it also brought the organized crime element of the show to a realistic point.
It was also the first major turning point in the series for Tony, who drives himself crazy trying to figure out whether his best friend is an FBI informant.
Image via HBO
Vincent Pastoregives a beyond compelling performance as a man who genuinely loves his family and friends and, while he’s torn between his oath and his freedom, deep down, he knows whatever he chooses, it will end up costing him his life.
Aside from flipping, Puss was also a humorous and jolly guy who brought comic relief to intense scenarios, specifically in Season 1, episode 2, “46 Long,” when he and Paulie are trying to track down AJ’s science teacher’s car.There’s something to be said about Pastore’s character and, while he did the worst possible thing a gangster could do, he was still a crucial characterwho essentially raised the stakes of the show to a new dramatic height.
12Adriana La Cerva
Played by Drea de Matteo
Even though Adriana La Cerva (Drea de Matteo) made the fatal mistake of providing information to the FBI, there is no denying her devotion to Christopher (Michael Imperioli), and that she is one of few characters who would genuinely be okay with living a normal life.
Image via HBO
She’s honestly the only person in Christopher’s life who is loyal and supportive towards him, but instead of realizing the gem he has, he constantly degrades her and takes his frustrations out on her.
Out of all the wives in the show, Adriana is essentially the only one who doesn’t aspire to be just a mother and wife and has the ambition to have some sense of professional independence.
She actually has a voice and a brain that she doesn’t want to go to waste and her determination to make something of herself is a rare quality in the show’s female characters.
Image via HBO
While she does make some major mistakes,Adriana still has some favorableand admirable characteristics that fans can’t ignore, making her one of the series' best characters.
11Herman “Hesh” Rabkin
Played by Jerry Adler
Prominent loan shark and savvy businessman, Hesh Rabkin, is one ofThe Sopranos' most underrated characterswho doesn’t take crap from anyone and has a confident, straightforward attitude that makes him one of the best.
Played byJerry Alder, Hesh made his first appearance in the show’s pilot episode and was a former friend and associate of Tony’s father, Johnny, who now serves as an outside mentor of sorts for Tony.
Image via HBO
Between his insightful wisdom and unwavering loyalty, Hesh is one of Tony’s most valuable assets, which he eventually takes for granted.
As the show progressed, Hesh’s appearances started to dwindle, but compared to other minor players, he still played a solid role in the episodes he appeared in, most notably in Season 1, episode 10, “A Hit is a Hit.”
Even though he wasn’t a main character,Hesh was one fans could always could on for a good laugh or a spout of wisdom, cementing him as one of the best characters inThe Sopranos.
Image via HBO
10Bobby Baccalieri
Played by Steve Schirripa
Even though Bobby Baccala is the target of Tony’s relentless insults and verbal abuse, he isone of the few characters who remains entirely loyal to Tony and this thing, which is what essentially earns him a spot on the list.
Bobby made his initial appearance in Season 2, episode 2, “Do Not Resuscitate,” and was primarily responsible for taking care of Tony’s uncle, Junior Soprano (Dominic Chianese).
Compared to the rest of the guys, Bobby is a unique player who has a sensitive, gentle demeanor and, even though he doesn’t fit the traditional tough mafioso, he is still capable of violence and being aggressive when pushed to a certain point.
Image via HBO
In Season 6, episode 13, “Soprano Home Movies,” Tony finally goes too far with Bobby after insulting his sister (and Bobby’s wife) Janice, and the two get into a brutal brawl with Bobby coming out as the victor.
Considering everything Bobby puts up between Tony and Janice, Bobby has immense patience and self-control that makes him a one-of-a-kind character.
9Christopher Moltisanti
Played by Michael Imperioli
Christopher Moltisanti is one character who fans, half the time, absolutely loath and, the other half, feel sorry for, but at the end of the day, he is one of the show’s most complex characters who never ceases to shock viewers.
image via HBO
Despite also being one of themost evil characters inThe Sopranos, Chrissy symbolizes the new generation of young gangsters who genuinely believe that their lives are meant to play out like a mobster movie.
The complexity of the character stems from his unrealistic expectations of life as well as his constant search for validation from others that he can never achieve.
Besides his flaws and negative qualities, Christopher does have a humorous wit and a secret sense of vulnerability that keeps audiences fully invested in him.
Image via HBO
As stated before, none of these characters are meant to be admired or idolized, and while Chrissy is responsible for some of the most deplorable acts in the series,his well-constructed arc and Michael Imperioli’s emotionally driven performance is what makes him a top-tier character.
8Carmela Soprano
Played by Edie Falco
At the beginning of the show, Tony’s wife, Carmela (Edie Falco), isn’t very likable and portrays a typical mob wife who enjoys the perks and status that come with her husband’s position.
As the show progresses, she begins to realize the reality of her situation and, while she can’t control Tony and his career choice, she does choose to make something of herself and begins to push back against her domineering husband.
Image via HBO
Like most characters in the series, Carmela isn’t perfect and definitely has her flaws, but her overall transformation from an abiding housewife and mother to an aspiring independent career woman is one of the show’s best storylines.
As she grows tired of playing by the rules that her husband constantly breaks, it’s a trip to see her journey of self-discovery which ultimately leads to some of the most pivotal moments in the show.She may not be a conventional mother and wife, but Carmela taking control of her life and finding her voiceis essentially what earns her a spot on this list.
7Johnny Sacrimoni
Played by Vincent Curatola
New York underboss turned boss, Johnny Sack, played byVincent Curatola, is the epitome of the traditional gangster who was partially inspired by the Dapper Don, John Gotti.
Between his stylish suits and no-nonsense attitude, Johnny is a hell of a force to be reckoned with and a master manipulator who knows exactly how to play both sides against each other without facing any consequences.
While Johnny is the definition of a classic mafioso,he’s also a family man who refuses to turn state’s witness and takes his punishment like a champ, solidifying him as one of the best characters inThe Sopranos.
At a time when most guys were flipping left and right to avoid lengthy sentences, it’s hard not to admire Johnny for his adamant decision to do his time and sacrifice his family to uphold his oath, which isn’t that surprising from a man of Johnny’s caliber.
Despitefacing a bittersweet ending, Johnny leaves viewers with an unforgettable impression of pride and loyalty that cements him as one of the show’s finest characters.
6Dr.
Jennifer Melfi
Played by Lorraine Bracco
Dr. Jennifer Melfi is the only character who manages to see or put Tony in his most vulnerable situations, making her a vital and unique player in the show.
As an outsider looking in, she basically serves as the voice of what most viewers are thinking when it comes to Tony and his world of organized crime.
She is the only one who is able to decipher and unravel the problems Tony faces throughout the series and treats Tony like a normal person rather than a mob boss.
Her dedication to her profession and choosing the well-being of her patients over her ownis what makes Melfi one of the best characters in the show.
In Season 3, episode 4, “Employee of the Month,” Melfi is brutally attacked in a parking garage and when an error in procedure forces the police to let the suspect go, she is distraught and feels helpless.
She’s soon faced with the dilemma of telling Tony about what happened, knowing he would take care of it, but instead, she refuses to cross that line from professional to personal, knowing it could potentially have a negative impact on her ability to treat Tony.
