It's Been Two Decades, But Fans Still Recognize Steve Schirripa as 'The Sopranos' Mobster

Let me tell you a story. Steve Schirripa, the guy who played mobster Bobby ‘Bacala’ Baccalieri on 'The Sopranos,' admitted that even after 20 years since the show ended, fans still see him as that character. It’s wild, isn’t it? Shows like 'The Sopranos' really leave an indelible mark on people’s minds. Steve, now a star on 'Blue Bloods,' shared this revelation with People magazine on April 7, 2023.

And guess what? Steve isn’t the only one getting this treatment. His 'Sopranos' costar, Michael Imperioli, is right there with him. The two recently reunited for an ad campaign for Sanpellegrino’s new sparkling water line called CIAO!, inspired by Italy. Now, if that doesn’t bring back some serious nostalgia, I don’t know what will.

Steve and Michael Embrace Their Legacies

In the ad, both actors leaned into their 'Sopranos' personas, something that Steve, now 67, said still happens in real life. He told People, “People, when we’re out in a restaurant or something, they’ll come over and treat us like our TV personas. They don’t see Steve and Michael; they see Bobby Bacala and Christopher Moltisanti.”

Read also:
Does Kate Hudson Support Trump Unveiling The Truth Behind The Headlines

That’s the power of a great show, right? It sticks with you. Steve and Michael have both done incredible work since 'The Sopranos' wrapped up in 2007. Steve, for instance, recently checked off a major bucket list item: starring in a Hallmark movie called 'Sisterhood, Inc.' He told Us Weekly in February, “I never thought I’d do a Hallmark movie, but it was something I always wanted to try. You don’t see many guys making the jump from 'The Sopranos' to Hallmark, but here I am, and I couldn’t be happier.”

From Mobsters to Hallmark Romance

Steve clearly enjoyed his time on the Hallmark set and hopes to do more in the future. “It was such a nice change of pace,” he said. “No arguing, no killing—just pure joy. Even on 'Blue Bloods,' where I’ve had so much fun playing a cop, I’ve probably killed more people than I did as a mobster!”

He added, “Hallmark movies bring such a warm, feel-good vibe. Sometimes, you just don’t want to watch anything heavy. If I want to see bad stuff, I can always turn on the news. But when you want something nice, uplifting, and wholesome, Hallmark is the place to go.”

Sopranos' Steve Schirripa Says People Treat Him Like His 'TV Persona' — Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival

Steve’s career isn’t stopping there. He’s also joining the cast of 'Dexter: Resurrection,' an upcoming crime drama that serves as a sequel to the original 'Dexter' series. Production began in January 2025 in New York, with the show set to premiere on Paramount+ in the summer of 2025. Michael C. Hall, the star of the original series, returns as Dexter Morgan.

Michael Imperioli Reflects on 'The Sopranos' Legacy

Meanwhile, Michael Imperioli has been keeping busy too. Since 'The Sopranos,' he’s taken on roles in shows like 'The White Lotus' and 'Hawaii Five-0.' In reflecting on the lasting impact of 'The Sopranos,' Michael told Us Weekly, “It’s mind-blowing that this show still resonates with people, even those who weren’t born when we first aired. That kind of staying power is incredibly rare in today’s world of short attention spans and fleeting trends.”

He continued, “Shows come and go so quickly these days. It’s a testament to the writing, the characters, and the world we created that 'The Sopranos' continues to be a part of the cultural conversation all these years later.”