The Sopranosreceived over 50 Primetime Emmy Award nominations throughout its six seasons. A fair share of those nominations were in acting categories, which is no surprise. The celebrated crime drama is known for high-quality performances, showcasing the talent of actors like Tony Sirico (Goodfellas), Dominic Chianese (The Godfather Part II), Aida Turturro (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit), and Steve Schirripa (Blue Bloods), among others. Steve Buscemi (Boardwalk Empire) even appeared on the show for a while. In fact, the casting forThe Sopranosis so good that casting executives Georgianne Walken and Sheila Jaffe were nominated twice at the Emmy Awards for Outstanding Casting for a Drama Series. They won in 1999.
The Sopranos
Considered by critics and audiences to be one of thebest television shows of all time,The Sopranossets a high bar. With all those Emmy nominations, however, there were only a few acting wins for the series during its run. That said, two actors managed to win multiple times for their top-tier performances, with nominations for every season. Before beginning, it’s worth giving Lorraine Bracco an honorable mention for her performance as mob boss Tony Soprano’s (James Gandolfini) psychiatrist, Dr. Jennifer Melfi. Bracco never won an Emmy for this role, but she was nominated four times — more than any other non-winning actor.
Here’s everySopranosactor who was nominated for an Emmy for their work.
5Michael Imperioli
Wins: 1, Nominations: 5
Michael Imperioliappears in 83 episodes ofThe Sopranos, giving him more screen time than most of his co-stars. Imperioli plays Dickie and Joanne (Marianne Leone) Moltisanti’s son, Christopher Moltisanti. Christopher is Tony’s protégé and cousin to Tony’s wife, Carmela (Edie Falco). Tony serves as a father figure for Christopher, who starts as Tony’s driver and rises through the ranks. The character is hot-headed and impulsive, traits that often get him into trouble in all areas of his life. He is also known for abusive behavior, especially towards his girlfriend, Adriana La Cerva (Drea de Matteo).
Imperioli was nominated at the Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series category for this role five times, finally winning in 2004. Since then, he has appeared on a lot of popular shows, with significant roles inLaw & Order, Californication, Hawaii Five-0, Lucifer, Blue Bloods, andThe White Lotus.In 2023, he was nominated for another Emmy in the Outstanding Supporting Actor category for his performance inThe White Lotus, where he plays Hollywood producer Dominic Di Grasso.
4Joe Pantoliano
Wins: 1, Nominations: 1
Joe Pantolianomade hisThe Sopranosdebut during Season 3 as Ralph Cifaretto, eventually appearing in 21 episodes. Ralph Cifaretto is a violent but effective “soldier” in the Aprile Crew. Tony doesn’t trust him but is eventually forced to promote him anyway. Conflict persists, however. Ralph meets his end when Tony accuses him of burning down a horse stable for the insurance money, killing a horse Tony had become attached to in the process.
Pantoliano won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2003 for his performance in Season 4. The actor has starred in some unforgettable movies over the years, includingMemento, Bad Boys, The Fugitive, andThe Matrix. SinceThe Sopranos, he has guest-starred on shows likeThe Simpsons, Sense8, MacGyver, Dexter: Original Sin, andThe Last of Us. He’s also done voice work for the video gamesMajestic,Grand Theft Auto III, andCall of Duty: Black Ops II.
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3Drea de Matteo
Drea de Matteoplays Christopher Moltisanti’s girlfriend and eventual fiancée, Adriana La Cerva. She started as a recurring character in Season 1 and was bumped up to series regular for Season 2. Adriana appears in in 48 episodes total. Her relationship with Christopher is tumultuous, and Christopher is physically abusive towards her. Over time, Adriana is pressured into becoming an informant for the FBI. She doesn’t want to turn on Christopher, but when she tries to get him to go into witness protection with her, he betrays her by telling Tony that she is the FBI’s mole. This leads to Adriana’s murder.
De Matteo was only nominated for one Emmy during her time onThe Sopranos. One was all it took, however, and she won that award in 2004 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series after her work in Season 5. SinceThe Sopranos, de Matteo has appeared on shows likeSons of Anarchy, Desperate Housewives, A Million Little Things, andParadise City.Her most recent film wasNonnasin 2025 alongside Vince Vaughn (Freaky) and fellowThe Sopranosalum Lorraine Bracco.
2Edie Falco
Wins: 3, Nominations: 6
Edie Falcoplays Tony’s wife, Carmela Soprano, across all six seasons of the show. She appears in 85 episodes, more than anyone else on the show (except for James Gandolfini, who appears in 86 episodes). Married for almost two decades, Tony and Carmela have two children together, Meadow (Jamie-Lynn Sigler) and A.J. (Robert Iler). Carmela’s devout faith as a Roman Catholic causes her to struggle with her husband’s work and the problems in their marriage. As Tony cheats on her, their marriage deteriorates. They separate in Season 4, but get back together again in Season 5.
Falco is celebrated in the role of Carmela, having received six Emmy nominations total and winning in 1999, 2001, and 2003 for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. AfterThe Sopranos, Falco was nominated for eight more Emmy Awards for her work on30 Rock, Nurse Jackie, andLaw & Order True Crime. In 2010, she won her fourth Emmy in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series category for playing the title role inNurse Jackie. She continues to play General Frances Ardmore in theAvatarmovies.
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1James Gandolfini
James Gandolfinileads all six seasons ofThe SopranosasMafia boss Tony Soprano. He starts as a capo in Season 1 but rises to power over the course of the series. He was cast in the role after the casting director saw his work in the 1993 filmTrue Romanceand has been praised time and time again for bringing Tony Soprano to life.Tony killed eight peopledirectly during the show’s six seasons, though he was responsible for other deaths as well. His complications with his family, crew, and therapist all drive the compelling nature of his character.
Like Falco, Gandolfini received an Emmy nomination for every season ofThe Sopranos. He won in 2000, 2001, and 2003 for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. He also won a Golden Globe and five Screen Actors Guild Awards for playing Tony Soprano. Gandolfini grew up in New Jersey and spent a lot of time in Italy later in life. AfterThe Sopranos, he starred in movies such asThe Taking of Pelham 123, Where the Wild Things Are, Killing Them Softly, Zero Dark Thirty, andThe Drop. The actor passed away in 2013 after a heart attack. He was 51 years old. In 2021, James’s son, Michael Gandolfini, took on the role of young Tony Soprano in the filmThe Many Saints of Newark, which served as a prequel to the original series.
