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James Gandolfini gave ‘Sopranos’ cast $30K each — but not TV wife Edie Falco

Bada bing.

A new documentary about the making of HBO’s mafia hit, “The Sopranos,” covers how the late star James Gandolfini gave money to his fellow cast members – except one. 

Now airing on HBO and Max, “Wise Guy: David Chase and The Sopranos” sees series creator David Chase say onscreen about Gandolfini, “He was great to that crew. He made them laugh, and he gave the other cast members $30,000.” 

James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano. Getty Images
Tony Soprano and his family on “The Sopranos.” Courtesy of HBO
James Gandolfini in “The Sopranos.” Getty Images

This information was also previously reported in the 2021 book, “Tinderbox: HBO’s Ruthless Pursuit of New Frontiers.” 

According to the book, Gandolfini signed a contract that would pay him $5 million per season. HBO doubled his salary after the third season aired in 2001.

“The Sopranos” aired for six seasons, from 1999 to 2007. Gandolfini died from a heart attack at age 51 in 2013. 

Edie Falco, left, and James Gandolfini hold their awards for best performance by an actress and actor in a dramatic televison series during the 57th Golden Globe Awards in 2000. AP
James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano and Edie Falco as Carmela Soprano in “The Sopranos.” Getty Images

In “Wise Guy David Chase and The Sopranos,” fellow cast member Drea de Matteo said, “When Jim [Gandolfini] got the deal, none of us even knew it was on the table. Like we didn’t know to negotiate. I think he felt terrible about that. So, he called us into his trailer, one by one, and gave everybody a check for $30,000.”

However, this didn’t apply to everyone. 

Edie Falco, who co-starred as Gandolfini’s onscreen wife, Carmella Soprano, said onscreen in the doc, “What? I never got $30,000. Alright…I don’t know anything about that.” Sounding confused, she repeated, “He gave money to cast members?”

s James Gandolfini and Edie Falco. HBO

The “Nurse Jackie” alum didn’t seem to have hard feelings, however.

“That sounds like him. He was a very good-hearted kind man, looking out for his friends,” she added.

Chase noted that Gandolfini was “a generous person.”

“I think he felt HBO had f–ked them, and he wanted to do something to make up for it,” he went on. “I think there was also a shred of regret for the days he didn’t show up for work.”

Edie Falco and James Gandolfini hold their Emmy Awards in 2003. REUTERS
James Gandolfini during “The Sopranos.” WireImage

Gandolfini had drug and alcohol issues at the time.

“I think what Jim didn’t know or expect was just how difficult it is to be the lead of a series,” Chase continued. 

“The Sopranos” co-star Steven Van Zandt estimated that Gandolfini “probably quit the show every other day.”

Terence Winter, Matthew Weiner, Edie Falco, Michael Imperioli, and Drea de Matteo attend The Sopranos 25th Anniversary Reunion: WISE GUY David Chase and The Sopranos during the 2024 Tribeca Festival. Getty Images for Tribeca Festival
James Gandolfini and Edie Falco in “The Sopranos.”

“We’d go to a bar, get drunk, have the exact same conversation. He’d say ‘I’m done, I’m not going back!’ There was a few times he disappeared for a few days,” he said in the doc. “You know, it just got to him.” 

Falco, meanwhile, said that Gandolfini “was incredibly invested in making that character believable, and unless you’re really diligent, you can end up taking your work home. And as an actor, that’s not always a great idea.” 

Drea de Matteo defended Gandolfini, however. 

“We all partied, we all had a great f–king time,” she said. 

“The Sopranos” cast at the 25th anniversary reunion in 2024. Dave Allocca / StarPix
Tony Sirico, Steven Van Zandt, James Gandolfini, Michael Imperioli and Vincent Pastore in “The Sopranos.” Getty Images

“And maybe there were some mornings where it was a little harder to get out of bed. For all of us. It wasn’t just Jim.” 

Co-star Michael Imperioli, for his part, added that Gandolfini “had his own things to work out, like all of us,” and that their fame from the show changed Gandolfini’s life “dramatically.” 

Describing how the “eradication of privacy” got strange for Gandolfini, Imperioli said, “He was in the spotlight wherever he went. And he was very different than Tony was. Very laid back…What’s funny is that, a lot of fans look at Tony as a role model, which is very scary in a lot of ways. He probably felt that –  fans thinking he’s Tony, and he’s not.” 

This post was originally posted by NYPost

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Written by Lauren Sarner

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