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Summary
The Sopranosdebuted onHBOin 1999 and became one of the greatest television shows of all time, ushering in the ‘Golden Age of Television’. James Gandolfini played Tony Soprano, a Mob boss who goes to a psychiatrist after suffering from panic attacks. The series ran for six seasons and ended in 2007.The DeMeo Crime Family was the New Jersey outfit run by Tony Soprano, and it featured a hierarchy of Mafioso enforcers,consisting of an Underboss, a Consigliere, Capos and Soldiers.
The DiMeo crime family was founded by Ercole DiMeo in the early 1940s, and he actively ran it until he was sent to prison in 1995.Jackie Aprile became acting boss, but there was a transition of power inThe Sopranosseason 1when he died of stomach cancer, with Tony and his uncle, Junior ‘Corrado’ battling it out for the top job.
The Boss
Tony Soprano
Tony Soprano wasn’t the official ‘boss’ of the DeMeo crime family until much later in the series.Junior ‘Corrado’ Soprano was the official boss, but Tony was essentially running things from the start, under the title of ‘acting street boss’, due to Junior’s legal troubles.
Junior Soprano
Despite being the ‘official’ boss, Junior was never really in control, and he secretly knew it.He tried to have Tony whacked in the first season,but continued to run the family business with his nephew until he shot him in season 6, nearly killing him. This led to the end of their relationship, and Tony assumed power as Junior was now in a mental institution.
Ercole DeMeo
Ercole DeMeo was never seen on screen inThe Sopranos,but he was played by the creator of the show, David Chase, in a brief cameo in the prequel movie,The Many Saints of Newark. DeMeo founded the family in the 1940s, but had to take a step back when he was incarcerated in 1995.
Jackie Aprile Sr
Jackie took over as acting boss of the DeMeo crime family when Ercole DeMeo went to prison, but he only ran things for four years, as he died of stomach cancer in 1999.
Underboss
Bobby Bacala
Tony Soprano was essentially the underboss of the DeMeo crime family until he took over as the official leader when Junior lost control of his mental faculties. This left a place open for his brother-in-law, Bobby Bacala, buthe didn’t hold the position for long as he was gunned down during the New York-New Jersey War in 2007.
Consigliere
Silvio Dante
Silvio Dante was a calming influence on Tony, withthe ‘consigliere’ position designed to offer counsel to the boss of the family.He was also adept at killing off ‘rats’, with the murder of Adriana LaCerva being his most significant kill.
Mikey Palmice
When Junior assumed power of the DiMeo crime family, the role of ‘consigliere’ went to former soldier, Mikey Palmice. However, he didn’t last long as he was gunned down by Paulie and Christopher on direct orders from Tony, after he conspired to have him whacked.
Capos
Paulie ‘Walnuts’ Gaultieri
Paulie is one of the most loyal members of the DeMeo crime familyinThe Sopranos,and he was a surviving member of Tony’s father, Johnny Boy Soprano’s era, back in the 70s. In the final season, he is given the role of Underboss after Bobby Bacala’s death, and depending on what happened to Tony in the finale, he might’ve ended up as the boss of the family.
Christopher Moltisanti
Christopher (Michael Imperioli) was a ticking time bomb throughout the series, buthe finally became a made man in season 3, but his drug addiction ultimately led to his downfall,when he crashed a car while under the influence. Tony was a passenger in the car, and suffocated Christopher in one ofThe Sopranos' major deaths.
Richie Aprile
Richie was the older brother of Jackie Aprile, and had spent many years in prison, and upon his release in season 2, he caused no end of trouble for Tony. He had a volatile relationship with Tony’s sister, Janice, who shot him dead after he smacked her around.
Ralphie Cifaretto
Tony reluctantly promoted Ralphie to Capo after Gigi Gestone died.Ralphie was a good earner but also an unhinged psychowho beat a Bada Bing dancer to death. Things came to a head when Ralphie killed Tony’s horse, Pie-O-My, and Tony beat him to death.
I could see if it was his daughter or a niece of his, but all this over some dead wh***
Other Notable Capos In The DeMeo Crime Family
Soldiers
Sal ‘Big Pussy’ Bonpensiero- Killed by Tony, Paulie and Silvio after it was discovered he was an FBI informant.
Furio Giunta- Fled to Italy after developing feelings for Tony’s wife, Carmela.
Patsy Parisi- His twin brother was killed on Tony’s orders, but he continued as a loyal DeMeo soldier.
Walden Belfiore- The man who killed antagonist, Phil Leotardo.
Eugene Pontecorvo- Hung himself after being told he couldn’t leave the DeMeo crime family.
Benny Fazio- A low-level soldier who carried out various brutal killings.
The Sopranos
Cast
James Gandolfini, Lorraine Bracco, Steven Van Zandt, Michael Imperioli, Tony Sirico, Edie Falco, Robert Iler, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Dominic Chianese, Steve Schirripa, Drea de Matteo and Vincent Pastore
Written by
David Chase, Terence Winter, Mitchell Burgess, Robin Green and Matthew Weiner
