Lorraine Bracco and Michael Imperioli speak onstage during the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on January 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.Photo:Monica Schipper/WireImage
Monica Schipper/WireImage
The Sopranosgang is back together once again!
Anderson introduced the two former castmates as he praised the long-running HBO show, which was nominated for more than 100 Emmys, for making “television history.”
Imperioli, 57, remarked on the anniversary the cast recently celebrated of the hit drama. “2024 marks the 25th anniversary of this series that Lorraine and I were so fortunate to be a part of.”
Bracco, 69, spoke next and got emotional as she gave a shoutout to Tony Soprano himself, the lateJames Gandolfini.
“And speaking for Michael, myself and the entire cast and crew, it was an honor working withSopranoscreatorDavid Chaseand of course the great James Gandolfini,” Bracco said, her voice catching as she mentioned the late actor, who died in 2013.
While the pair stood in a makeshift set of Bracco’s character’s office, a framed photo of Gandolfini sat next to a tissue box on a small table.
Lorraine Bracco and Michael Imperioli speak onstage during the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on January 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.Kevin Winter/Getty
Kevin Winter/Getty
Bracco and Imperioli’s tribute toThe Sopranos, whichran for six seasons on HBO from 1999 to 2007, comes after the actress opened up to PEOPLE atthe cast’s 25th anniversary celebration in New York Cityon Wednesday abouthow Gandolfini’s presence was missed at the reunion event.
“I always think about him," Bracco said. “I have moments that I have in my mind, or something will happen, that Jimmy will come back to me."
Lorraine Bracco attends the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on January 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.Neilson Barnard/Getty
Neilson Barnard/Getty
She shared that if Gandolfini — who played a struggling New Jersey mob boss who sought therapy with her character, Dr. Melfi, to mend his mental health woes — had been with the cast, he’d have been up to his usual antics.
Gandolfini was “very serious” while in character, she said, “but when he was done, he turned into a maniac.”
“Oh my God. He would make such jokes, he would fool around, he would dance around,” she added. “He was very fun.”
Michael Imperioli and Victoria Imperioli attend the 75th Primetime Emmy Awards at Peacock Theater on January 15, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.Neilson Barnard/Getty
Edie Falco, Dominic Chianese,Steven Van Zandt,Tony Sirico,Robert IlerandJamie-Lynn Sigleralso starred in the show, along with Bracco, Imperioli and Gandolfini, which won 21 Emmy Awards throughout its run.
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“We’re going to be paying homage to them, having a lot of cast members come back as themselves, as these characters,” he added, “and there’s going to be a little interchange between me and them on the sets of their shows.”
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SeePEOPLE’s full coverageof the 75th annual Emmy Awards as they’re broadcasting live from the Peacock Theater at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles on FOX.
source: people.com
