The Sopranos obtained over 50 Primetime Emmy Award nominations all through its six seasons. A justifiable share of these nominations had been in performing classes, which is not any shock. The celebrated crime drama is thought for high-quality performances, showcasing the expertise of actors like Tony Sirico (Goodfellas), Dominic Chianese (The Godfather Half II), Aida Turturro (Regulation & Order: Particular Victims Unit), and Steve Schirripa (Blue Bloods), amongst others. Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire) even appeared on the present for some time. Actually, the casting for The Sopranos is so good that casting executives Georgianne Walken and Sheila Jaffe had been nominated twice on the Emmy Awards for Excellent Casting for a Drama Sequence. They gained in 1999.
Thought of by critics and audiences to be probably the greatest tv exhibits of all time, The Sopranos units a excessive bar. With all these Emmy nominations, nevertheless, there have been just a few performing wins for the collection throughout its run. That stated, two actors managed to win a number of instances for his or her top-tier performances, with nominations for each season. Earlier than starting, it is price giving Lorraine Bracco an honorable point out for her efficiency as mob boss Tony Soprano’s (James Gandolfini) psychiatrist, Dr. Jennifer Melfi. Bracco by no means gained an Emmy for this position, however she was nominated 4 instances — greater than another non-winning actor.
Here is each Sopranos actor who was nominated for an Emmy for his or her work.
5
Michael Imperioli
Wins: 1, Nominations: 5
Michael Imperioli seems in 83 episodes of The Sopranos, giving him extra display time than most of his co-stars. Imperioli performs Dickie and Joanne (Marianne Leone) Moltisanti’s son, Christopher Moltisanti. Christopher is Tony’s protégé and cousin to Tony’s spouse, Carmela (Edie Falco). Tony serves as a father determine for Christopher, who begins as Tony’s driver and rises by means of the ranks. The character is hot-headed and impulsive, traits that usually get him into bother in all areas of his life. He’s additionally recognized for abusive habits, particularly in direction of his girlfriend, Adriana La Cerva (Drea de Matteo).
Imperioli was nominated on the Emmy Awards within the Excellent Supporting Actor in a Drama Sequence class for this position 5 instances, lastly successful in 2004. Since then, he has appeared on a whole lot of well-liked exhibits, with vital roles in Regulation & Order, Californication, Hawaii 5-0, Lucifer, Blue Bloods, and The White Lotus. In 2023, he was nominated for one more Emmy within the Excellent Supporting Actor class for his efficiency in The White Lotus, the place he performs Hollywood producer Dominic Di Grasso.
4
Joe Pantoliano
Wins: 1, Nominations: 1
Joe Pantoliano made his The Sopranos debut throughout Season 3 as Ralph Cifaretto, ultimately showing in 21 episodes. Ralph Cifaretto is a violent however efficient “soldier” within the Aprile Crew. Tony does not belief him however is ultimately pressured to advertise him anyway. Battle persists, nevertheless. Ralph meets his finish when Tony accuses him of burning down a horse secure for the insurance coverage cash, killing a horse Tony had grow to be connected to within the course of.
Pantoliano gained the Emmy for Excellent Supporting Actor in a Drama Sequence in 2003 for his efficiency in Season 4. The actor has starred in some unforgettable films through the years, together with Memento, Dangerous Boys, The Fugitive, and The Matrix. Since The Sopranos, he has guest-starred on exhibits like The Simpsons, Sense8, MacGyver, Dexter: Unique Sin, and The Final of Us. He is additionally accomplished voice work for the video video games Majestic, Grand Theft Auto III, and Name of Obligation: Black Ops II.
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3
Drea de Matteo
Wins: 1, Nominations: 1
Drea de Matteo performs Christopher Moltisanti’s girlfriend and eventual fiancée, Adriana La Cerva. She began as a recurring character in Season 1 and was bumped as much as collection common for Season 2. Adriana seems in in 48 episodes whole. Her relationship with Christopher is tumultuous, and Christopher is bodily abusive in direction of her. Over time, Adriana is pressured into turning into an informant for the FBI. She does not need to activate Christopher, however when she tries to get him to enter witness safety along with her, he betrays her by telling Tony that she is the FBI’s mole. This results in Adriana’s homicide.
De Matteo was solely nominated for one Emmy throughout her time on The Sopranos. One was all it took, nevertheless, and he or she gained that award in 2004 for Excellent Supporting Actress in a Drama Sequence after her work in Season 5. Since The Sopranos, de Matteo has appeared on exhibits like Sons of Anarchy, Determined Housewives, A Million Little Issues, and Paradise Metropolis. Her most up-to-date movie was Nonnas in 2025 alongside Vince Vaughn (Freaky) and fellow The Sopranos alum Lorraine Bracco.
2
Edie Falco
Wins: 3, Nominations: 6
Edie Falco performs Tony’s spouse, Carmela Soprano, throughout all six seasons of the present. She seems in 85 episodes, greater than anybody else on the present (apart from James Gandolfini, who seems in 86 episodes). Married for nearly 20 years, Tony and Carmela have two youngsters collectively, Meadow (Jamie-Lynn Sigler) and A.J. (Robert Iler). Carmela’s religious religion as a Roman Catholic causes her to wrestle along with her husband’s work and the issues of their marriage. As Tony cheats on her, their marriage deteriorates. They separate in Season 4, however get again collectively once more in Season 5.
Falco is well known within the position of Carmela, having obtained six Emmy nominations whole and successful in 1999, 2001, and 2003 for Excellent Lead Actress in a Drama Sequence. After The Sopranos, Falco was nominated for eight extra Emmy Awards for her work on 30 Rock, Nurse Jackie, and Regulation & Order True Crime. In 2010, she gained her fourth Emmy within the Excellent Lead Actress in a Comedy Sequence class for enjoying the title position in Nurse Jackie. She continues to play Common Frances Ardmore within the Avatar films.
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1
James Gandolfini
Wins: 3, Nominations: 6
James Gandolfini leads all six seasons of The Sopranos as Mafia boss Tony Soprano. He begins as a capo in Season 1 however rises to energy over the course of the collection. He was solid within the position after the casting director noticed his work within the 1993 movie True Romance and has been praised time and time once more for bringing Tony Soprano to life. Tony killed eight individuals straight in the course of the present’s six seasons, although he was answerable for different deaths as nicely. His issues along with his household, crew, and therapist all drive the compelling nature of his character.
Like Falco, Gandolfini obtained an Emmy nomination for each season of The Sopranos. He gained in 2000, 2001, and 2003 for Excellent Lead Actor in a Drama Sequence. He additionally gained a Golden Globe and 5 Display screen Actors Guild Awards for enjoying Tony Soprano. Gandolfini grew up in New Jersey and spent a whole lot of time in Italy later in life. After The Sopranos, he starred in films similar to The Taking of Pelham 123, The place the Wild Issues Are, Killing Them Softly, Zero Darkish Thirty, and The Drop. The actor handed away in 2013 after a coronary heart assault. He was 51 years previous. In 2021, James’s son, Michael Gandolfini, took on the position of younger Tony Soprano within the movie The Many Saints of Newark, which served as a prequel to the unique collection.