The Sopranos at its very core wasn’t just a mob drama, but an excellent character-driven exploration of numerous themes ranging from power to morality. Airing from 1999 to 2007, it was a rather psychological quest into the life of Tony Soprano as he navigated the complexities of his personal life along with managing his criminal empire.
The brilliant series not only starred several well-known figures but throughout its 86 episodes, it also featured an ensemble of guests and cameos that not many know. From the charismatic Michael B. Jordan to Paul Dano, here are 5 talented Hollywood heartthrobs who starred in The Sopranos, including 3 Batman actors:
1. Michael B. Jordan
Before Michael B. Jordan starred in Creed or played the titular antagonist in Marvel’s Black Panther, he made one of his first screen appearances in The Sopranos. Creating an unlikely connection with numerous other actors appearing on this list, he can be seen in the seventh episode of the first season of the series.
Starring as one of the unnamed Rideland Kids in the episode, he chases down a young Tony through the street in a flashback. While he was only about 12 years old at that time, he went on to star as Wallace in the HBO series The Wire (via Looper).
2. Paul Dano (Batman)
Paul Dano has had one of the most amazing filmographies and roles in Hollywood. From movies like 12 Years a Slave to The Batman, not many know that the American actor appeared for a pretty brief time in The Sopranos. Sporting a bowl cut, he portrayed Patrick Whalen in seasons 4 and 5 of the hit show.
Whalen, a friend of A.J. Soprano, is pretty hard to recognize the actor. In a pair of wire-framed thin glasses, The Batman star’s character was one of the few he played before getting worldwide recognition with Little Miss Sunshine (via Looper and Far Out Magazine).
3. Lady Gaga
Before Lady Gaga became the iconic star she is now, a young Stefani Angelina Germanotta made her The Sopranos debut in 2001. She was one of the unnamed Girls at the Swimming Pool in the background, in episode 9 of season 3 of the iconic mob drama.
Now, with an Academy Award nomination, one win for Best Original Song, and several successful songs and albums later, the actress doesn’t regret her role but feels she was bad at acting back then. Well, bad or not, the world-famous star, and now a household name, looks hardly recognizable in the episode (via Entertainment Weekly).
4. Cristin Milioti (Batman)
All set to star as Sofia Falcone in The Batman spinoff series, The Penguin, Cristin Milioti‘s first acting job was in HBO’s The Sopranos. Starring as Catherine Sacrimoni, she portrayed the youngest daughter of John Sacrimoni.
The daughter of New York’s mobster Johnny Sack, Milioti appeared in three episodes of the show’s last and final season. Despite not being a central character, she delivered an excellent performance hardly expected of a young actress in her first official job (via Looper). It was her performance in the critically acclaimed TV show that helped her secure future acting jobs and ultimately a future DC star.
5. Will Arnett (Lego Batman)
The star of Lego Batman, Will Arnett was also part of the Emmy award-winning crime TV show. Before he was the dark knight, the actor played the role of Mike Waldrup, an FBI agent. Married to the character Deborah Ciccerone-Waldrup, he appeared in just two episodes of The Sopranos season 4.
Working as an undercover agent in the world of organized crime, Arnett’s character had a pretty small part but for the many fans of the hit show, he remains a crucial part (via Looper). Arnett, who has since gone on to star in several acclaimed TV shows and movies, bagged the small yet crucial role thanks to his comedic genius, as he once described while on The Late Late Show.
The Sopranos can be streamed on Max.
