Rare Photos From the Set of 'The Sopranos'
Attention to detail was everything on the Sopranos set, even down to the smallest props.
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As iconic as the characters were on The Sopranos, the locations are almost just as memorable—from the Bada Bing! to Dr. Melfi's office to the Soprano family's New Jersey home. But in real life, these sets were not as they appeared on TV. Take a tour of the studios where the HBO drama was filmed and see the behind-the-scenes photos we found of James Gandolfini, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, and more of the cast filming on location across the Tri-state Area in the 2000s.
Father and Son on Set
Gandolfini walks on set in New York with his son, Michael, in 2003. Eighteen years later, Michael reprised his father's iconic character in the prequel, The Many Saints of Newark.
"I had grown up on the set," Michael said on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. "But set to me was being in my dad's trailer, and Tony Soprano was no more than like my dad eating a sandwich in a robe."
A Memorable Location
Real fans will take one look at that tablecloth and know exactly where Gandolfini and Tony Sirico, who played Peter Paul "Paulie Walnuts" Gualtieri, are filming: Satriale's Pork Store.
Steven Van Zandt's Casting
The E Street Band member, who played Silvio Dante—seen here on set in Brooklyn in 2006—was set to play Tony Soprano, before HBO shut it down. "As it turns out, [creating Silvio Dante] was collaborative because ['The Sopranos' creator David Chase] cast me as Tony and HBO said, 'Are you out of your f---ing mind? This is the most expensive show we'll ever do, we can't have a guy that never acted before,'" he told Fox News. "So, wiser heads prevailed, thankfully, and one of the greatest actors ever, [James] Gandolfini, got the gig."
The Soprano's Front Door
That's right, Tony's home was shot in a studio. Just outside of his elegant front door was nothing more than a sound stage, filled with wooden boards and ladders.
The Kitchen, Part 1
Fans will recognize the floral curtains, wooden chairs, and beige walls of the Soprano's eat-in kitchen. Zoom out further and you'll find panels of studio lights and an open sound stage ceiling.
The Kitchen, Part 2
From its green countertops to the black refrigerator, the family's kitchen was very on-trend for the time.
The Living Room
Nestled between two side tables, the carefully-chosen sofa in the crime family's living room was surprisingly cozy.
The Refrigerator Reveal
Ever wonder what Tony eats when he's not leading a life of crime? The prop fridge features orange juice, butter, milk, apple sauce, and plenty of Gatorade.
The Food Props
Another piece of TV magic? The fake fruit.
The Backyard
The pool in the backyard was shot on location—not in the studio. But the set featured fake greenery and lights to make the exterior seem more real.
In the Makeup Chair
James Gandolfini gets a final touch up before filming.
Goofing Around
And afterwards playfully turned the brush on his then-girlfriend, Lora Somoza.
Guest Stars on Set
Sandra Bernhard (left) and Janeane Garofalo (right) play themselves, as they film a scene within a scene in the episode titled "D-Girl."
Shooting Stunts
A stuntman, playing a bicyclist, flips over a car door, while filming on location in Brooklyn.
The Brains Behind the Show
The creator of The Sopranos, David Chase, stands next to the cameras, as he watches a scene unfold.
Tanning Time
Tony Sirico gets some rays, while filming on location outside of Satriale's Pork Store in Kearny, New Jersey.
On-Set Discussions
Sirico kicks up his feet, as he discusses a scene with Gandolfini and the show's creator, David Chase.
The Bada Bing! Books
Attention to detail was everything on the Sopranos set, even down to the smallest props. Here's the accounting book used in the Bada Bing!
Clocking In
Also in the back room of the club? Employee time clock record stubs. Because when you work for Silvio Dante, you can't be late.
The Back Room
The back room of the Bada Bing! served as the location for many iconic moments on the show and was shot at Silvercup Studios in Queens, New York.
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