Michael Imperioli talks Sopranos
Michael Imperioli has spent a lot of time thinking about “The Sopranos” since it wrapped up nearly twenty years ago, especially on his podcast “Talking Sopranos.” Now, he’s sharing who he thinks was the funniest actor on set during the filming of the HBO show.
Imperioli told People that Tony Sirico, who played Paulie Walnuts, often cracked up his co-stars, even if it wasn’t always on purpose. He mentioned that it had a lot to do with Sirico’s personality.
Sirico passed away in July 2022 at 79 years old in an assisted living home in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Tony Sirico Made Everybody Laugh
“He was such a one-of-a-kind guy, a wonderful person that we all loved and called a good friend,” Imperioli said about Sirico in an article released on Wednesday.
The “Goodfellas” star added, “He was a bit of a hypochondriac and kind of paranoid and egotistical, just like Paulie Walnuts, which led to some really funny moments.”
Imperioli and Sirico worked together through all six seasons of the beloved mob drama that aired from 1999 to 2007.
In his chat with People, Imperioli was joined by his former co-star Steve Schirripa, who played Bobby Baccalieri, and he also had great things to say about Sirico.
“He knew when he was being funny or not — he was really one of a kind,” Schirripa said.
Back in March 2023, Imperioli voiced his frustration with the Oscars for leaving out Sirico, as well as Paul Sorvino and Tom Sizemore, from the “in memoriam” segment that honors stars and Hollywood figures who passed away in the last year.