HBO's The Sopranos is still regarded as one of the greatest television dramas of all time and is also one of the most rewatchable shows to date. Created by David Chase, The Sopranos follows New Jersey mob boss, Tony Soprano, played by the irreplaceable James Gandolfini, who tries to balance his unconventional work in "waste management" and his personal life as a family man without ending up behind bars or six feet under.

Gandolfini is joined by an impressive supporting cast including Edie Falco, Michael Imperioli, and Dominic Chianese, who all play unforgettable characters in this iconic series. While most of the characters in The Sopranos aren't meant to be a likable and lovable bunch, fans still gravitate towards them and their unique qualities, which essentially provide the show's allure. Even though the show features an array of top-notch characters, there are some, such as Silvio Dante, Paulie Walnuts, and Johnny Sack, who reign as the best in the series.

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The Sopranos
TV-MA
Crime
Drama
Release Date
1999 - 2006
Network
HBO Max
Showrunner
David Chase

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

Seasons
6

15 Janice Soprano

Played by Aida Turturro

Aida Turturro as Janice Soprano in The Sopranos
Image via HBO

There's a saying that if someone who is playing a villain or catalyst is generally despised by viewers, then they're doing a pretty damn good job. Morally, Tony Soprano's oldest sister, Janice Soprano (Aida Turturro), is far from the best and beloved, but when it comes to conveying a surrogate to Tony's mother with her constant conflict and drama, Janice hits the nail on the head. While she may not be the fans' number one favorite character, Janice always manages to stir the pot with her manipulation and passive-aggressive behavior which makes her a crucial character.

Aside from viewers being able to count on her to be a pain in Tony's ass, Janice also brings an intriguing element to the table as she transitions into a life as a mother and wife. Her behavior as a spouse and caregiver serves as a preview of Livia's early days and the influence she had over her children and husband, adding a bit more of an insight into the dysfunctional dynamics within the Soprano family.

14 Ralph Cifaretto

Played by Joe Pantoliano

Joe Pantoliano as Ralph Cifaretto, smiling in The Sopranos
Image via HBO

Let's face it, every fan loves to hate Ralph Cifaretto, who typically gets his kicks out of stirring the pot with his dark and twisted behavior. While Ralphie is behind several unfortunate events, he is one of Tony's best earners and his wicked sense of humor brings an element of shock and awe to the show. Played by Joe Pantoliano, Ralphie made his initial appearance in the show in Season 3, episode 2, "Proshai Livushka," where he expresses his sympathies to Tony about the loss of his mother.

While Ralphie doesn't make much of a fuss in the beginning, he soon becomes the source of all of Tony's problems, ranging from the senseless murder of a Bada Bing girl, Tracee (Ariel Kiley), to telling an insensitive joke about Johnny Sack's (Vincent Curatola) wife. Even though Ralphie is a borderline sociopath, there's no denying the character brought a certain dramatic quality and sarcastic humor to the show which ultimately makes him one of the all-time best villains in The Sopranos.

13 Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpenserio

Played by Vincent Pastore

Vincent Pastore standing in a doorway in The Sopranos
Image via HBO

First things first, yes, Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpenserio was a rat, but by the end of the show, it's revealed that almost everyone in Tony's crew was talking to the Feds. Of course, fans were disappointed by Big Pussy's betrayal, but it also brought the organized crime element of the show to a realistic point. It was also the first major turning point in the series for Tony, who drives himself crazy trying to figure out whether his best friend is an FBI informant.

Vincent Pastore gives a beyond compelling performance as a man who genuinely loves his family and friends and, while he's torn between his oath and his freedom, deep down, he knows whatever he chooses, it will end up costing him his life. Aside from flipping, Puss was also a humorous and jolly guy who brought comic relief to intense scenarios, specifically in Season 1, episode 2, "46 Long," when he and Paulie are trying to track down AJ's science teacher's car. There's something to be said about Pastore's character and, while he did the worst possible thing a gangster could do, he was still a crucial character who essentially raised the stakes of the show to a new dramatic height.

12 Adriana La Cerva

Played by Drea de Matteo

Adriana in The Sopranos
Image via HBO

Even though Adriana La Cerva (Drea de Matteo) made the fatal mistake of providing information to the FBI, there is no denying her devotion to Christopher (Michael Imperioli), and that she is one of few characters who would genuinely be okay with living a normal life. She's honestly the only person in Christopher's life who is loyal and supportive towards him, but instead of realizing the gem he has, he constantly degrades her and takes his frustrations out on her.

Out of all the wives in the show, Adriana is essentially the only one who doesn't aspire to be just a mother and wife and has the ambition to have some sense of professional independence. She actually has a voice and a brain that she doesn't want to go to waste and her determination to make something of herself is a rare quality in the show's female characters. While she does make some major mistakes, Adriana still has some favorable and admirable characteristics that fans can't ignore, making her one of the series' best characters.

11 Herman "Hesh" Rabkin

Played by Jerry Adler

Jerry Adler as Hesh Rabkin with his hand to his chin in thought in The Sopranos
Image via HBO

Prominent loan shark and savvy businessman, Hesh Rabkin, is one of The Sopranos' most underrated characters who doesn't take crap from anyone and has a confident, straightforward attitude that makes him one of the best. Played by Jerry Alder, Hesh made his first appearance in the show's pilot episode and was a former friend and associate of Tony's father, Johnny, who now serves as an outside mentor of sorts for Tony.

Between his insightful wisdom and unwavering loyalty, Hesh is one of Tony's most valuable assets, which he eventually takes for granted. As the show progressed, Hesh's appearances started to dwindle, but compared to