With so many incredible TV shows coming in the last decade, there are many series that are sometimes overlooked or forgotten. The Sopranos feels like one of those shows, but many people who watched it in its entirety would put it up there (or even ahead) of the likes of The Wire or Breaking Bad. Exceptional writing, controversial protagonists with loose morals, explosive drama, and superb acting are just a few reasons why The Sopranos won so many awards and is considered an important piece of 2000’s American pop culture.
Today, we are celebrating The Sopranos by highlighting 15 lesser known facts about one of HBO’s biggest hits. Enjoy!
15. Steve Schirripa Wore a Fat Suit For The First Three Seasons
Bobby “Bacala” Baccalieri (Steve Schirripa) was the subject of many fat jokes from Tony Soprano over the course of the show. However, Schirripa was somewhat confused when first reading the script as he was not much larger than Gandolfini. Days before shooting, Schirripa was fitted for a fat suit which he would wear throughout the first three seasons. Speaking to Vanity Fair, Schirripa stated: “and then I guess, in season four, David thought I was fat enough on my own, so he let me get rid of it.” Unlike almost all the other male characters, Bobby is kind-hearted, shy and even-tempered. Due to this, he was a likable and sympathetic character and even Tony occasionally apologized to him for his comments. He gradually climbs the ranks, however, becoming an underboss to Tony as well as his brother-in-law when he married Tony’s sister Janice.
Source: Screenshot via HBO