Corrado John "Junior" Soprano Jr. , portrayed by Dominic Chianese , is a fictional character from the HBO TV series The Sopranos . Usually referred to as " Junior " or " Uncle Jun " (pronounced “June”), he is the boss of the DiMeo crime family for most of the series. A younger Corrado sometimes appears in flashbacks and is played by Rocco Sisto . Corey Stoll portrays a young Junior Soprano in the 2021 prequel film, The Many Saints of Newark . Dominic Chianese's performance as Junior received critical acclaim, garnering two Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series.
54-442: Junior is depicted as being intelligent, old-fashioned, stubborn and insecure about his power. Although Junior is portrayed as bitter and deceitful in season one, he shows a more considerate and humorous side of himself in the later seasons. He reveals a more sensitive aspect of his personality during his illness and house arrest. According to series creator David Chase , the name Junior was taken from one of his cousins. Chianese landed
108-477: A lemon meringue pie in her face. He also learns through Livia ( Nancy Marchand ) that Tony is seeing a psychiatrist. Junior then orders Tony's failed assassination , which, due to his fondness for Tony, upsets him. Junior vomits while discussing details of the hit and is visibly upset when his associates discuss the hit with him. Tony retaliates by having two of Junior's enforcers, Mikey Palmice ( Al Sapienza ) and Chucky Signore ( Sal Ruffino ), murdered. Junior
162-439: A 13-episode season. The show premiered on HBO on January 10, 1999, with the pilot " The Sopranos ". Thirty episodes of The Sopranos are explicitly credited to Chase; however, as the show's creator, showrunner , and head writer , he had a major role in all the scripts, including producing and touching up each script's final draft. He also directed the pilot episode and the series finale (both of which he also wrote). Of
216-640: A 21-year-old Italian immigrant who was lodging with the DeCesares since 1904. Following Evelyn's birth in 1910, Melfi and Fusco eloped to Newark, New Jersey , with their two biological children, whose surnames Melfi subsequently changed from DeCesare to Chase to obscure their background; the couple kept their own surnames and raised another five children under Fusco's name (although the 1940 census lists both their surnames as "Fusca"). The DeCesare family reportedly originates from Ariano Irpino , Campania , but Chase's biological grandfather Joseph Fusco's birthplace
270-469: A Master of Arts degree in 1971. Chase started in Hollywood as a story editor for Kolchak: The Night Stalker and then produced episodes of The Rockford Files and Northern Exposure , among other series. He also worked as a writer of 19 episodes while on The Rockford Files —a show which he worked on in various capacities for more than four years. He won several Emmy awards, including one for
324-460: A cat sitting on his lap. In the episode " The Blue Comet ", Janice ( Aida Turturro ) approaches Tony and tells him that Junior has run out of money, and will be removed from the Wyckoff therapeutic center. She implores Tony to help him out. Tony shows no sympathy for Junior and offers no support, telling Janice that she and Bobby are cut out of his life too, although it is just an empty threat. In
378-565: A child, Junior taught him how to play baseball and took him to New York Yankees games. Junior also apparently enjoys surfing . He recounts fondly teaching Tony body surfing on the Jersey Shore as a child, and purchases AJ a $ 400 surfboard for his birthday. Both Junior and Johnny dropped out of high school and turned to a life of organized crime, joining the DiMeo crime family . In the episode " In Camelot ", Junior Soprano reveals that he
432-401: A day," he stated. He described his problems as "normal, nagging, clinical depression." He also worked as a drummer during this period and aspired to be a professional musician. After two years, he transferred to New York University where he chose to pursue a career in film—a decision that was not well received by his parents. He went on to attend Stanford University 's School of Film, earning
486-401: A deal with WarnerMedia. In March 2024, it was revealed that he will be directing an untitled horror movie for New Line Cinema. The screenplay will be written with Terrence Winter. Chase has previously developed A Ribbon of Dreams , a miniseries for HBO. According to an HBO press release , the series' pilot would "begin in 1913 and follow two men, one a college-educated mechanical engineer,
540-411: A long time to become boss and, with his senior rank, feels he is next in line. Upon Jackie Aprile's death, Tony has the support to take over the family but fears Junior will start a war if he is not named boss. Tony resolves the situation by letting Junior become boss in order to steer law enforcement attention away from the rest of the family. With the support of the other captains, Tony runs things behind
594-518: A meeting to solve the problem. Junior sometimes resented having to answer to the young Aprile, who used to fetch Junior sambucas . Junior never married and had no children. He lives in Belleville, New Jersey . He tells Bobby Baccalieri ( Steve Schirripa ) that he has a problem with feet, and does not even like talking about bunions . Junior briefly takes over as caporegime of his brother Giovanni "Johnny Boy" Soprano 's crew from 1967, after he
SECTION 10
#1732790355208648-480: A television movie, Off the Minnesota Strip , the story of a runaway he scripted in 1980. His first original created series was Almost Grown in 1988, with Eve Gordon and Timothy Daly . Although the one-hour series was well received by critics, only 10 episodes aired from November 1988 to February 1989. Chase worked in relative anonymity before The Sopranos debuted. The story of The Sopranos
702-427: A truck owned by a Harrison, New Jersey , company that pays protection to Junior. Junior constantly expresses outrage and threats over the issue despite Tony's attempts to resolve it. When Brendan hijacks another truck, and the driver is accidentally killed, Junior orders Brendan's murder. He spares Christopher's life because he is a surrogate nephew of Tony's, ordering a mock execution instead. Junior has been waiting
756-660: A two-part documentary called Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranos . Not Fade Away (2012), Chase's feature film debut, was released on December 21, 2012. It centers on the lead singer of a teenage rock 'n' roll band (played by John Magaro ) in 1960s New Jersey. Described as "a music-driven coming-of-age story," the film reunites Chase with James Gandolfini (former star of Sopranos ), who co-stars as Magaro's father. Other cast members include Bella Heathcote , Christopher McDonald , Molly Price , Lisa Lampanelli , Jack Huston and Brad Garrett . Chase himself has described
810-457: Is allowed to run his old crew but must give 95% of the proceeds to Tony. Along with a bigger share from his old high-end poker game, union rackets, and car theft ring, this enables Junior to live on a subsistence level while also making enough to pay his legal fees. Finally, Tony moves two soldiers from Junior's crew, Patsy Parisi ( Dan Grimaldi ), the twin brother of Philly, and Gigi Cestone (John Fiore), over to his own crew. This leaves Junior
864-445: Is further frustrated when his injury prevents him from having sex with his comare. Humiliated and enraged, Junior secretly orders a hit on Dickie Moltisanti, knowing it will be blamed on Harold's crew. Moltisanti is shot in the head from behind in the driveway of his home by an unknown assailant. At Moltisanti's own funeral, Corrado stares coldly at his corpse, content with the knowledge that Dickie's death will never come back to him. In
918-416: Is occasionally visited by Pat Blundetto and Beppy Scerbo. Within the confines of the mental home, Junior behaves like a typical Mafia chieftain; bribing orderlies, organizing card games, and even physically abusing a rival. A young patient named Carter Chong looks up to Junior as a mentor and father figure and admires his aggressive, imposing, and rebellious nature. After Junior loses control of his bladder,
972-406: Is released from prison after serving ten years, and actively seeks Junior's friendship. Richie wants him and Junior to kill Tony and take over the crime family. While Junior wants to take back control, he is cautious of Richie's plans. Junior is conflicted over which side to favor but eventually decides that while Tony can be selfish and impulsive, Richie simply is not respected enough by the rest of
1026-633: Is saddened and frustrated that Junior is lost for good. Tony simply looks at Junior and then tearfully leaves his uncle for the last time without saying another word. David Chase David Henry Chase (born August 22, 1945) is an American writer, producer, and director. He is best known for being the creator, head writer, and executive producer of the HBO drama The Sopranos , which aired for six seasons between 1999 and 2007. Chase has also produced and written for shows such as The Rockford Files , I'll Fly Away , and Northern Exposure . He created
1080-543: Is sent to prison. At the funeral of "Hollywood Dick" Moltisanti, Junior takes Richard "Dickie" Moltisanti aside and tells him he considers them to be brothers. He offers Dickie his hand in friendship and promises to provide any favors he requires. Five years later, in 1972, Johnny Boy is released from prison and takes back the reins of his crew. To Junior's chagrin, Johnny reprimands him for apparently letting his neighborhood "fall apart" in his absence. Johnny urges his brother to follow Dickie's "example", but this only fractures
1134-469: Is spared only because the FBI arrests him on racketeering charges. Junior's acting captain, Philly "Spoons" Parisi , comments on the conflict between Tony and his uncle and also Livia's involvement, so Tony has him killed. With Junior and his main supporters either in jail or dead, Tony takes full control of the family. He lets Junior keep the title of boss while Tony runs everything as the street boss. Junior
SECTION 20
#17327903552081188-527: Is the father of actress Michele DeCesare, who appeared in six of The Sopranos episodes as Hunter Scangarelo . Chase once stated that he "loathed and despised" television shows, watching only The Sopranos and movies. However, he said in later interviews that he watched Boardwalk Empire and Mad Men , the work of former Sopranos writers and producers Terence Winter and Matthew Weiner, respectively. He said that he previously made those negative comments in part because he had been frustrated working within
1242-457: Is the uncle of Tony Soprano ( James Gandolfini ). Junior had two younger brothers, Ercole "Eckley" Soprano and Giovanni “Johnny” Soprano. Eckley was intellectually disabled and lived in a mental institution for most of his life. Junior's youngest brother was Tony's father, Johnny Soprano . Both of his brothers died in the 1980s, meaning that he outlived both of them. He tells the court-ordered psychologist, when feigning mental incompetence, that he
1296-649: Is uncertain besides also being in Southern Italy . His father owned Wright's Hardware in Verona, New Jersey . He grew up in a small garden apartment in Clifton, New Jersey , and in North Caldwell, New Jersey . He grew up watching matinée crime films and was well known as a creative storyteller. He has stated that he had many problems with his parents when he was a child. He says that his father
1350-500: The opening episode of the show , Junior plans to kill "Little Pussy" Malanga at a restaurant owned by Tony's childhood friend, Artie Bucco ( John Ventimiglia ). Tony makes many attempts to prevent the murder and eventually resorts to fire bombing the restaurant to force its closure so the hit would happen elsewhere, enraging Junior. Tensions escalate further when two of Tony's criminal associates Christopher Moltisanti ( Michael Imperioli ) and Brendan Filone ( Anthony DeSando ) hijack
1404-569: The abdomen. Frightened, Junior runs upstairs, hiding away in his bedroom closet while Tony struggles to dial 9-1-1 before losing consciousness. Junior is arrested and taken into federal custody over the shooting, but his lawyer secures him a release into a cushy mental institution , claiming he is currently unfit to stand trial. Junior remains confused and distressed, denying that he could have deliberately shot his own nephew. Junior's dementia has progressed to such an extreme state that when his great-nephew A.J. Soprano ( Robert Iler ) visits him with
1458-497: The center's administrators conclude that he is not taking his medications. Junior is confronted with the choice of either taking the medication or being moved to a less pleasant facility. Junior agrees to take the medication and begins to become more docile. He is badly beaten by his anger-prone protégé, who doesn't want to lose Junior as a mentor. In the final scene of " Remember When " Junior sits passively, black and blue, with broken glasses from his beating, silently sitting and petting
1512-465: The close relationship that Corrado once had with Dickie. It is clear that Johnny is beginning to hold Dickie favorably to his brother, who now sees Dickie as a rival, not a partner. Sometime later, Junior attends the funeral of Buddha, a made man killed by Harold McBrayer's African-American mob in a gangland hit. Corrado slips down the stairs of the mortuary, and Dickie laughs, mocking Junior as he struggles to get back onto his feet. Months later, Junior
1566-414: The crime family when Tony took over his father's crew becoming the family's youngest captain. Following the arrest of longtime boss Ercole "Eckley" DiMeo in late 1995, Junior got into a trucking dispute with new acting boss Jackie Aprile Sr . ( Michael Rispoli ). He fled to Boca Raton to avoid any possible repercussions, but Tony and Soprano soldier "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero ( Vincent Pastore ) arranged
1620-474: The crime series The Untouchables . The series is partly inspired by the Richard Boiardo family, a prominent New Jersey organized crime family when Chase was growing up, and partly on New Jersey's DeCavalcante family . He has mentioned American playwrights Arthur Miller and Tennessee Williams as influences on the show's writing, and Italian director Federico Fellini as an important influence on
1674-670: The family. Junior tells Tony of Richie's plans against him. Grateful for the warning, Tony increases Junior's take of his former rackets from 5% to 7.5%, and the two (more or less) bury the hatchet. During this time, Bobby Baccalieri becomes Junior's replacement, right-hand man, and closest confidant. Bobby accompanies Junior on hospital visits during his battles with stomach cancer , which he eventually overcomes. Junior finds various ways to get around his house arrest—using his doctor's office and lawyer's office to conduct business and attending as many funerals and family functions as possible. Despite their disputes, Tony often seeks Junior's advice as
Junior Soprano - Misplaced Pages Continue
1728-539: The film as about "a post-war, post-Depression-era parent who has given his kid every advantage that he didn't have growing up, but now can't help feeling jealous of the liberated, more adventurous destiny his son is able to enjoy." Another former Sopranos cast member, Steven Van Zandt , served as music supervisor and executive producer. Although Chase was "against [the movie] for a long time", Deadline Hollywood reported in March 2018 that New Line Cinema had purchased
1782-472: The final episode, " Made in America ", Junior is moved to a state facility. When Janice goes to visit him, Junior thinks she is her mother, Livia, and thinks that a picture of Janice's daughter is Janice herself. She tries to tell him that Bobby has been murdered, but Junior does not comprehend, thinking she means Bobby Kennedy . Tony later visits a now sick and wheelchair-bound Junior for the first time since
1836-483: The golden era of talkies and the studio system, to the auteur movement, to television, and finally to the present day." In 2021, Chase revealed that HBO agreed to proceed with the production of the miniseries but with "a cheesy budget", to which Chase refused to agree. Therefore, Chase and HBO parted ways on the project and A Ribbon of Dreams fell through. After graduating from NYU in 1968, Chase moved to California and married his high school sweetheart Denise Kelly. He
1890-530: The intention of killing him as revenge, Junior thinks A.J. is Tony and greets him with excitement. A.J.'s plan is botched when he inadvertently drops the knife on the floor. Tony pulls some strings with former Assemblyman, now State Senator, Ronald Zellman ( Peter Riegert ) to get A.J. released without charges being filed. In the Wyckoff therapeutic center, Junior begins to put his old life back together. He still collects weekly payments from his organizations and
1944-411: The intentionally ambiguous final scene of the series finale that aired on June 10, 2007, Chase said, "I have no interest in explaining, defending, reinterpreting, or adding to what is there." In 2022, Chase and Phil Abraham created a 2022 Super Bowl spot for Commonwealth / McCann with two characters from the show who appear in a 2021 New York City/New Jersey setting. In September 2024, HBO released
1998-559: The original series Almost Grown which aired for 10 episodes in 1988 and 1989. He has won seven Emmy Awards . Chase's film debut came in 2012 with Not Fade Away , followed by The Many Saints of Newark (2021), a prequel film to the TV series The Sopranos . Chase was born into a working-class Italian American family in Mount Vernon, New York , as an only child to Norma (née Bucco) and Enrico "Henry" Chase, both born in 1908. Norma
2052-437: The other a cowboy with a violent past, who form an unlikely producing partnership and together become pioneers and then powers for a time in motion pictures." Specifically, the two men would "begin as employees of D.W. Griffith , and then cross career paths with John Ford , John Wayne , Raoul Walsh , Bette Davis , Billy Wilder and others who gave shape to Hollywood as it grew from the age of rough-hewn silent Westerns , to
2106-416: The pilot and showed it to HBO executives, but the show was put on hold for several months. During this time, Chase, who had long experienced frustration at being unable to break out of TV and into film, considered asking HBO for additional funding to shoot 45 more minutes of footage and release The Sopranos as a feature film. In December 1997, HBO decided to produce the series and ordered 12 more episodes for
2160-470: The role of Junior over Tony Sirico who played Paulie Gualtieri , and Frank Vincent who played Phil Leotardo . In Season One , it's stated that Junior is 70 years old, placing his birth date in 1928 or 1929. Corrado Soprano, Jr. is the eldest of three sons of Corrado and Mariangela D'Agostino Soprano, who were from Ariano (an Italian town) and immigrated to the United States in 1911. Junior
2214-439: The scenes, especially as Junior becomes greedier and more abusive of his authority. When Junior finds out about this from Tony's mother, he is furious. Around this time, Junior's long-time goomah , Bobbi Sanfillipo, inadvertently causes word of Junior's talent for oral sex to spread among the mob wives, eventually reaching Tony, who mocks him in front of several other men. Junior furiously breaks up with Bobbi over this, smashing
Junior Soprano - Misplaced Pages Continue
2268-551: The script for The Many Saints of Newark , a prequel to The Sopranos written by Chase and fellow screenwriter Lawrence Konner . Chase said of the storyline, which centers on the 1967 Newark riots and racial tensions between the Italian-American and African-American communities, "I was interested in Newark and life in Newark at that time... I used to go down there every Saturday night for dinner with my grandparents. But
2322-474: The senile Murf Lupo ( Val Bisoglio ) as capo , Beppy Scerbo (Joe Pucillo), and Bobby Baccalieri as soldiers. Soon, Junior is released from jail and placed under house arrest in his Belleville, New Jersey home while awaiting trial, after his attorney convinces the judge that Junior is much sicker than he actually is. While he is under house arrest, Soprano captain Richie Aprile ( David Proval )
2376-424: The shooting. Junior recognizes him as someone he used to play catch with, remembering playing with Tony 40 years earlier. Tony tries to remind Junior of who he was, and even who his brother was, but Junior cannot remember. Tony tells him that he and his father used to run North Jersey , to which Junior simply smiles and replies, "Well, that's nice". Tony finally realizes Junior is in an advanced stage of dementia and
2430-450: The show's cinematic style. The series was named after high school friends of his. Chase and producer Brad Grey pitched The Sopranos to several networks; Fox showed interest but passed on it after Chase presented them the pilot script. They eventually pitched the show to Chris Albrecht , president of HBO Original Programming, who decided to finance a pilot episode which was shot in 1997. Chase directed it himself. They finished
2484-486: The streets in his bathrobe and slippers, looking for his deceased brother. In Season Six , Junior's dementia has worsened, as he becomes paranoid that his long-deceased enemy, "Little Pussy" Malanga, is after him. Tony refuses to put his uncle in a nursing home, feeling obligated to care for Junior himself with the aid of his sisters and Bobby. In the season six debut episode, Tony arrives at Junior's house one evening. Junior, believing his nephew to be Malanga, shoots Tony in
2538-735: The thing that interested me most was Tony's boyhood. I was interested in exploring that." Chase served as producer, and in July 2018, Alan Taylor , who previously directed episodes of the series, was hired to direct the film. The film was initially scheduled to be released on September 25, 2020, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States , its release date was rescheduled to March 12, 2021 and later September 24, 2021 before ultimately being released on October 1, 2021. In October 2021, he and his Chase Films production company struck
2592-468: The tumultuous relationship between series protagonist Tony Soprano and his mother Livia is partially based on Chase's relationship with his own mother. He was also in psychotherapy at the time and modeled the character of Jennifer Melfi after his own psychiatrist. Chase had been fascinated by organized crime and the mafia from an early age, witnessing such people growing up. He also was raised on classic gangster films such as The Public Enemy and
2646-506: The voice of experience. In Season Four , Junior's trial ends in a mistrial after they are able to intimidate one of the jurors into voting not guilty and forcing a hung jury . Although Junior has survived cancer and possible prison time, the toll of a series of 'mini- strokes ' and the confinement of house arrest has left him confused, depressed , and in failing health. By season five, Junior starts to show signs of dementia , requiring care and support. In " Where's Johnny? ", Junior wanders
2700-665: Was an angry man who belittled him constantly, and his mother was a "passive-aggressive drama queen" and a "nervous woman who dominated any situation she was in by being so needy and always on the verge of hysteria." He based The Sopranos character Livia Soprano on his mother, naming her after a maternal aunt. Chase struggled with panic attacks and clinical depression as a teenager, something that he dealt with into adulthood. He graduated from high school in 1964 and attended Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina , where his depression worsened. "I slept 18 hours
2754-529: Was born in Essex County, New Jersey , as one of twelve children to Marian D'Agostino and Vito Bucco, who immigrated from Fossacesia , Abruzzo . Henry was born in Providence, Rhode Island , as one of seven children, the son of Teresa Melfi, who was married to Giovanni DeCesare, 17 years her senior. Henry and his sister Evelina (Evelyn), however, were the biological children of Giuseppe "Joseph" Fusco,
SECTION 50
#17327903552082808-665: Was getting a haircut when he heard about the assassination of John F. Kennedy . He tells Tony that he admired John F. Kennedy but didn't like his brother Robert because of the latter's involvement with the United States Senate Select Committee on Improper Activities in Labor and Management , as well as the prosecution of Jimmy Hoffa and investigation into the International Brotherhood of Teamsters . Tony fondly recalls how as
2862-559: Was initially conceived as a feature film about "a mobster in therapy having problems with his mother". Chase got some input from his manager Lloyd Braun and decided to adapt it into a television series. He signed a development deal in 1995 with production company Brillstein-Grey and wrote the original pilot script. He drew heavily from his personal life and his experiences growing up in New Jersey, and has stated that he tried to apply his own "family dynamic to mobsters". For instance,
2916-522: Was on a date with Fran Felstein at the 500 Club in Atlantic City, New Jersey to see Enzo Stuarti perform when Fran met his brother Johnny. Junior was in love with Fran and wanted to propose, even buying a ring for her, but couldn't allow a marriage to affect his status in organized crime or summon the courage to ask her. Junior always watched over Tony, especially after Johnny's death from emphysema in 1986. Junior guided Tony's ascension into
#207792