He also talked about his admiration for James Gandolfini, who won three Emmys for playing Tony Soprano. Over the course of a half hour, Schirripa freely spilled dirt on original casting choices (Jerry Stiller pulled out from the role of confidante Hesh Rabkin at the last minute because he booked a more lucrative commercial), treasured keepsakes (one of Schirripa's fat suits hangs in his closet) and how creator David Chase came to his apartment to tell him he was killing off his character ('It was kind of like a real hit'). If the conservation is any indication of what the Mystic Lake show will be like, fans are in for a real treat. 'For a long time, I thought for sure he was alive and well. 'I've flip-flopped,' Schirripa said by phone from his home in New York, a little more than a week before his Saturday appearance at Mystic Lake Casino alongside former cast members Michael Imperioli (Christopher Moltisanti) and Vincent Pastore (Salvatore 'Big Pussy' Bonpensiero).

In fact, Schirripa, who played the overly sensitive, overweight Bobby Baccalieri on the ground-breaking series, is a panelist for the touring show 'In Conversation with the Sopranos,' patiently answering questions he's heard a thousand times before.Īt the top of the list: Is Tony Soprano dead or alive? You might think Steve Schirripa would be tempted to whack the next fan who peppers him with questions about 'The Sopranos.'

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