American actor James Gandolfini, as Tony Soprano, smokes a cigar while he stands in pool, in publicity still for the HBO cable TV series 'The Sopranos,' 1999. (Photo by Anthony Neste/Getty Images)
On January 10, 1999, the iconic TV show ‘The Sopranos” debuted on HBO. This series about a New Jersey mob boss stuck between his duties to his family and his “Family” would captivate viewers for years to come.
Though the show is off the air, its worldview seems to crop up with growing frequency in our stranger-than-fiction politics, including through the reported dealings of people like Rudy Giuliani and Bob Menendez — two bosses hailing from the same region as the Soprano family, but lacking in the finesse that Tony Soprano was known for.
The location of the Bada Bing in Lodi, New Jersey
Original Caption: The Satin Dolls go-go bar, the location used for ‘Bada Bing’ in the filming of ‘The Sopranos” series, June 20 2013, Lodi, New Jersey. Gandolfini passed away on June 19, 2013 while on vacation with family in Italy. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)
James Gandolfini on set in New York
Original Caption: Actor James Gandolfini (R) and crew members walk to the set of ‘The Sopranos’, Queens, New York City, January 30, 2002. (Photo by Arnaldo Magnani/Getty Images)
The Family visits a graveyard
Original Caption: Actors from left: Tony Sirico, Steven Van Zandt, James Gandolfini, Michael Imperioli & Vincent Pastore in a publicity still for TV series ‘The Sopranos’, circa 1999. (Photo by Anthony Neste/Getty Images)
Tony Soprano at home
Original Caption: Actor James Gandolfini in scene from HBO TV drama series The Sopranos. (Photo by Anthony Neste/Getty Images)
Junior Soprano having lunch
Original Caption: Actor Dominic Chianese, right, in scene from TV series ‘The Sopranos’, circa 1999. (Photo by Anthony Neste/Getty Images)
Tony and Christopher
Original Caption: Actors James Gandolfini, left, and Michael Imperioli in a scene from the TV series ‘The Sopranos’. (Photo by Anthony Neste/Getty Images)
Big Pussy and Paulie at the Bada Bing
Original Caption: Actors Vincent Pastore, left, and Tony Sirico playing cards in scene from TV series ‘The Sopranos’, circa 1999. (Photo by Anthony Neste/Getty Images)
Tony, Silvio and Paulie at Satriale’s Pork Store
Original Caption: (L-R) Actors Tony Sirico, Steven Van Zandt and James Gandolfini in a publicity still for the HBO TV series The Sopranos. (Photo by Anthony Neste/Getty Images)
The cast at The Golden Nugget, Las Vegas
Original Caption: ‘The Sopranos’ cast, back row: Vincent Pastore, Michael Imperioli, John Ventimiglia, Steve Schripa, Vincent Curotola and seated: James Gandolfini, Drea de Matteo, Tony Sirico and Roger S Haber pose during a press event at The Golden Nugget, Las Vegas, Nevada, June 12th 2004. (Photo by Denise Truscello/WireImage)
Tony and his therapist, Dr. Melfi, in her office
Original Caption: The Sopranos, Hbo’s Hit Series About A Modern-Day Mob Boss Caught Between Responsibilities To His Family And His “Family,” Debuts New Episodes On Sunday Nights. Pictured: Series Regulars Lorraine Bracco And James Gandolfini. (Photo By Getty Images)
Tony and Carmela
Original Caption: The Sopranos, Hbo1S Hit Series About A Modern-Day Mob Boss Caught Between Responsibilities To His Family And His “Family,” Debuts New Episodes On Sunday Nights. Pictured: Series Regulars James Gandolfini And Edie Falco. (Photo By Getty Images)
Carmela and her son A.J.
Original Caption: Actors Edie Falco, left, and Robert Iler holding umbrellas during a scene from TV series ‘The Sopranos’, circa 1999. (Photo by Anthony Neste/Getty Images)
Tony Soprano and his sister, Janice
Original Caption: Actors Aida Turturro and James Gandolfini during a scene from ‘The Sopranos’, circa 2000. (Photo by Anthony Neste/Getty Images)
Paulie and Tony at Satriale’s Pork Store
Original Caption: Tony Sirico and James Gandolfini during filming of ‘The Sopranos’, Satriale’s Pork Store, Kearny, New Jersey, March 20th 2007. (Photo by Bobby Bank/WireImage)
The Soprano children, A.J. and Meadow
Original Caption: The Sopranos, Hbo1S Hit Series About A Modern-Day Mob Boss Caught Between Responsibilities To His Family And His “Family,” Debuts New Episodes On Sunday Nights. Pictured: Series Regulars Robert Iler And Jamie-Lynn Sigler. (Photo By Getty Images)
Christopher and Adriana
Original Caption: (L-R) Actors Michael Imperioli & Drea De Matteo in scene from HBO cable TV series The Sopranos. (Photo by Anthony Neste/Getty Images)
Tony in his iconic pool
Original Caption: American actor James Gandolfini, as Tony Soprano, smokes a cigar while he stands in pool, in publicity still for the HBO cable TV series ‘The Sopranos,’ 1999. (Photo by Anthony Neste/Getty Images)
Tony and Carm at home
Original Caption: Actors James Gandolfini and Edie Falco in a scene from TV series ‘The Sopranos’, circa 2000. (Photo by Anthony Neste/Getty Images)
Tony and his mother, Livia Soprano
Original Caption: Actors (L-R) Nancy Marchand and James Gandolfini in a scene from the HBO TV series The Sopranos (Photo by Anthony Neste/Getty Images)
The cast at a press event in Atlantic City
Original Caption: Actors of the ‘Sopranos’ tv series at the Atlantic City Hilton and Resorts Casinos during a press promotion: James Gandolfini, Michael Imperioli, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Tony Sirico, Steve Schirripa, John Ventimiglia and Vincent Curatola, June 23rd 2007 (Photo by Tom Briglia/FilmMagic)
The cast at the SAG awards in 2000
Original Caption: The cast of the TV series ‘The Sopranos’ including James Gandolfini (1961-2013) holding their awards during the Sixth Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards, Shrine Exposition Center, Los Angeles, California, March 12th 2000. (Photo by Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images)
Christine Frapech
is TPM's designer and event planner based in New York.
