Michael Imperioli, the Emmy-winning actor best known for his iconic role as Christopher Moltisanti in The Sopranos, has always had a fascination with the mafia. From his childhood exposure to The Godfather to his deep involvement in the world of organized crime on screen, Imperioli has a long history with the culture of the mob. But his latest project, a documentary series titled American Godfathers: The Five Families, takes this interest to a whole new level.
In an exclusive interview, Imperioli opens up about his lifelong connection to the mafia, his personal experiences with real mobsters, and how the culture of the Italian-American mafia continues to influence not only his work but also his life. From his formative experiences in New York City to his iconic portrayal of Christopher, Imperioli has a unique perspective on the darker side of American culture.
From The Godfather to Real Mafia Encounters
Michael Imperioli’s interest in the mafia began at a young age. As an 11-year-old, he watched The Godfather Saga, a four-part TV mini-series that combined the first two films of Francis Ford Coppola’s legendary trilogy. Watching the saga with his grandmother, who had Italian roots and connections to the immigrant experience in the U.S., Imperioli was hooked. He remembers being fascinated by the portrayal of immigrant families struggling to make a living in a violent world.
“My grandmother’s father came from southern Italy and started a business in the U.S. that was basically a speakeasy during Prohibition. He worked outside the law, if you will,” Imperioli recalls. This family history, coupled with the allure of The Godfather, created a perfect storm for his fascination with the mafia. Although his family wasn’t directly involved in organized crime, Imperioli felt a strong connection to the stories of Italian immigrants and their struggles, even if they were sometimes romanticized on screen.
As a young actor in the early ’90s, Imperioli’s career took him into the world of the mafia. One of his first big roles was portraying Spider in Goodfellas, one of Martin Scorsese’s most iconic films. This role catapulted him into the world of mob cinema, and he began learning more about the real-life mafia families that had made New York City their home for decades. From there, it was a natural progression for Imperioli to continue exploring this world on screen, which eventually led him to The Sopranos.
Real Mafia Encounters: “A Made Man Wanted to Show Me How to Kill”
In an eerie twist, Imperioli’s real-life encounters with the mafia blurred the lines between Hollywood fiction and reality. While filming The Sopranos, he had a memorable moment at Rao’s, a famous New York restaurant steeped in mob lore. He was dining there with his co-star Tony Sirico (Paulie Walnuts), when a “made man” — a fully-fledged mafia member — approached their table.
“Yeah, he offered to show me how to kill someone with piano wire,” Imperioli laughs. It’s the sort of offer you wouldn’t expect, but in the mafia world, it’s just business. While the lesson remained “unfulfilled,” Imperioli couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like. This offhand interaction underscores just how deeply the mafia culture was ingrained in certain pockets of New York City during the height of organized crime’s power.
While he admits that he doesn’t have firsthand experience with mafia life, Imperioli has been surrounded by it in ways that few actors have. His proximity to the world of mobsters, combined with his passion for mafia lore, has given him a unique lens through which to view his roles.
The Sopranos and the Glamourization of Mafia Life
It’s often said that The Sopranos glamorizes the mafia lifestyle, but Imperioli doesn’t buy into that argument. “Glamorize is a strange word,” he says, acknowledging that the show is undoubtedly entertaining but also deeply tragic. The violence, addiction, and dysfunction that accompany mob life are as integral to the story as the moments of humor and excitement.
“The Sopranos” is a story about real people living in a brutal world, and for Imperioli, it was a chance to explore that world in a more nuanced way. “I can’t imagine anybody watching the show wanting to live that kind of lifestyle,” he explains. “A lot of the characters, their lives were cut short, they met violent ends, they had unhappy lives, drug abuse, broken marriages, murder, maiming… all that stuff.”
Rather than glorifying the mafia, The Sopranos brings attention to the human costs of being a part of that world. And Imperioli’s portrayal of Christopher Moltisanti — a character torn between the allure of crime and his desire for a better life — is a perfect example of that.
A New Chapter: American Godfathers Documentary Series
In 2024, Imperioli takes his exploration of the mafia to the next level with the release of his new documentary series, American Godfathers: The Five Families, airing on Sky History. This three-part series dives deep into the history of the five major mafia families that ruled New York: the Genovese, Gambino, Bonanno, Colombo, and Lucchese families.
For Imperioli, the opportunity to narrate this series was a natural progression from his acting career. “I’ve always had an affinity for mafia culture, and over the years, I’ve learned a lot about the real history of the mob,” he says. The series delves into the origins of these families, from their Sicilian roots to their rise in the U.S. during Prohibition, and examines how the mafia’s power has evolved over the years.
The mafia’s role in shaping American history is undeniable, especially in cities like New York. “They made money during Prohibition, bootlegging alcohol, and ran speakeasies,” Imperioli explains. “This allowed them to gain political influence, which was unheard of before.” The series highlights how the mafia began as a low-level criminal enterprise and grew into a powerful and dangerous institution. But it also examines how the criminal landscape has changed in the modern era, especially with the passage of laws like the RICO Act.
Life After The Sopranos: New Roles and Creative Ventures
Despite being forever linked to his role as Christopher Moltisanti, Imperioli has continued to explore a wide range of roles. His recent Emmy-nominated performance in The White Lotus as the troubled Hollywood producer Dominic Di Grasso earned him critical acclaim. The role showcased Imperioli’s ability to play complex, flawed characters, much like his Sopranos counterpart.
In addition to acting, Imperioli is also a talented musician. He plays guitar in the indie rock band Zopa, and the band is gearing up to release an album in 2025. When asked about jamming with his Sopranos co-stars, Imperioli humorously notes that while Steve Van Zandt (who played Silvio Dante) is a member of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, their musical styles couldn’t be further apart. “We’re much more indie-alternative,” he says with a grin.
Imperioli’s work continues to evolve, with his recent Broadway debut in Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People, where he starred alongside Jeremy Strong. The play touches on issues of corruption and accountability, themes that resonate with the mafia’s legacy in American society. Imperioli’s career is anything but stagnant; he’s constantly seeking out new challenges and pushing his artistic boundaries.
Conclusion: The Legacy of the Mafia in Modern America
Michael Imperioli’s lifelong fascination with the mafia is more than just a passing interest — it’s woven into the fabric of his career and personal experiences. From his early exposure to The Godfather to his experiences with real-life mobsters and his starring role in The Sopranos, Imperioli’s exploration of mafia culture has taken on many forms. His new documentary series, American Godfathers: The Five Families, offers a deep dive into the real history of organized crime and its impact on American society.
While the mafia’s influence may have waned in recent decades, its legacy continues to shape New York City and the broader American landscape. For Imperioli, exploring that legacy is a way of understanding not only the past but also the present — and how the mob continues to resonate in the stories we tell.
