Michael Imperioli has made a name for himself in Hollywood as the quintessential actor in mafia-related roles. From his unforgettable portrayal of Christopher Moltisanti in The Sopranos to his current role as narrator and executive producer of American Godfathers: The Five Families, Imperioli’s life has become synonymous with the Italian-American mafia — both in fiction and reality. This latest project takes him deeper into the complex and often brutal history of New York’s five most notorious crime families: the Gambino, Genovese, Bonanno, Colombo, and Lucchese families.
In an exclusive interview, Imperioli opens up about how the mafia’s legacy continues to fascinate him, the challenges of narrating a history as dark and bloody as the one presented in American Godfathers, and his thoughts on how Hollywood both portrays and sometimes distorts the gritty reality of organized crime.
American Godfathers: The Five Families – A Deep Dive into Mafia History
The world of organized crime has always held a particular allure for filmmakers and audiences alike. There’s something about the mafia — its codes, its power, its rituals — that captivates the imagination. But behind the glitzy suits and dramatic deaths, the mafia’s true story is far more complex and chilling.
American Godfathers: The Five Families takes a deep dive into the rise, fall, and resurgence of America’s most powerful mafia empires. The docuseries is based on Selwyn Raab’s 2016 bestseller, Five Families: The Rise, Decline, and Resurgence of America’s Most Powerful Mafia Empires. As the series’ executive producer and narrator, Michael Imperioli’s passion for the material is evident. He explains, “They sent me the book, which I thought was brilliant. As a narrator, you really need to connect with the material, absorb it, and feel invested in telling the story truthfully.”
The three-part series chronicles the Mafia’s evolution from its humble beginnings in Sicily to its rise to power in New York City. Through Prohibition, the mob became a major economic and political force, controlling everything from bootlegging to the drug trade. It also delves into the mob’s internal power struggles, which led to betrayals, assassinations, and an eventual decline in influence.
Imperioli believes the public’s fascination with the mafia is due to the very fact that it’s a secret society existing in plain sight. “They live in middle-class neighborhoods for the most part. It could be your neighbor, and you would never know that the guy was a captain in one of the families. That’s fascinating to people,” he says. This hidden-in-plain-sight aspect, combined with the rituals and codes of the mafia, creates an aura of mystery and danger that draws audiences in.
The Rituals and Codes of the Mafia
The concept of omertà — the mafia’s code of silence — is central to the structure of organized crime. In American Godfathers, Imperioli frequently returns to this idea, explaining how this code helped the Five Families avoid infighting and prosecution. While the word omertà is never explicitly mentioned in The Sopranos, its influence is felt throughout the series, especially in interactions between mobsters and law enforcement.
As Imperioli explains, “Omertà is one of the things that kept the families together and helped them operate for so long. It’s all about silence, loyalty, and respect. These were the guiding principles that made the system work. Without omertà, the entire structure would have collapsed.”
This code of silence is explored in American Godfathers, where it’s revealed how the families would use it to avoid law enforcement scrutiny, keeping their criminal enterprises intact. In some ways, the series reveals just how closely the mafia’s operations mirrored the high-stakes world of Hollywood — with both industries operating behind closed doors and relying on loyalty to maintain their power.
Hollywood and the Mafia: Is the Glamour Real?
As someone who has worked extensively in both the world of organized crime and the entertainment industry, Michael Imperioli has unique insights into how Hollywood portrays the mafia. While films like Goodfellas and The Godfather have become cultural touchstones, Imperioli believes that they may actually underestimate the violence and danger of the real mafia life.
In his breakout role as Spider in Goodfellas, Imperioli was part of one of the most iconic mafia films in history. However, Imperioli suggests that while Hollywood films may portray the glamorous aspects of mob life — the sharp suits, the powerful figures, and the lavish lifestyle — they often gloss over the real brutality. “You watch these films, and they give you a taste of the excitement. But the reality is, many people met violent ends in very disturbing ways. I think we still don’t know the full extent of some of those horror stories,” he says.
Scorsese’s Goodfellas opens with a scene that sets the tone for the entire film. It’s a flash-forward to a violent murder, an intense moment that instantly pulls the audience into the world of crime. “The reason Scorsese did that is to remind the audience: before you get seduced by all the coolness — the suits, the Sinatra, the cars — there’s a harsh reality behind it,” Imperioli reflects. “This life is brutal. There’s nothing glamorous about it. And that’s part of what makes it so fascinating.”
It’s this brutal realism that Imperioli explores in American Godfathers. While Hollywood has been guilty of romanticizing the mafia, the docuseries takes a much darker and more honest look at the blood-soaked history behind the mafia families.
The Legacy of the Mafia in America
Although organized crime may not dominate New York City in the same way it did during the height of the mafia’s power, its legacy continues to reverberate through American culture. Imperioli reflects on the ongoing influence of the mafia, even as its grip on the streets has weakened. “The families have diversified,” he explains. “They’ve moved into businesses that are less vulnerable to prosecution — much less on the street and more behind the scenes now.”
While the old-school image of mafia bosses sitting around tables discussing shady deals may be outdated, there are still places in New York City where the mafia’s shadow looms large. “There are bars and restaurants in the city that I think are still controlled by them, but it’s much more subtle now. It’s not what it used to be,” he notes.
Imperioli also sees echoes of the mafia’s influence in other sectors of society, particularly in the way powerful institutions operate. “There’s always been a certain parallel between how the mafia works and how power functions in America. Loyalty, silence, and influence are still guiding principles for many systems,” he says.
What the Future Holds for Michael Imperioli
Despite his deep connections to mafia roles, Michael Imperioli has never been content to rest solely on his mobster legacy. Beyond his acting career, which continues to thrive with projects like The White Lotus, Imperioli has expanded his creative pursuits. He’s also the guitarist in the indie rock band Zopa, with a new album coming soon. However, it’s clear that his passion for storytelling — whether through the lens of mafia history or modern-day drama — remains steadfast.
As for American Godfathers: The Five Families, the docuseries is just the beginning. Imperioli has already expressed interest in continuing to explore the complex world of organized crime, both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. Given his ability to bring such depth and authenticity to his roles, it’s likely that we haven’t seen the last of his foray into the world of the mob.
Conclusion: Michael Imperioli’s Mafia Legacy
Michael Imperioli’s journey through the world of the mafia — both on screen and in real life — has provided him with a unique perspective on one of America’s most fascinating and dangerous subcultures. Whether it’s through narrating American Godfathers or his iconic portrayal of Christopher Moltisanti in The Sopranos, Imperioli has brought depth, authenticity, and humanity to characters that are often portrayed as larger-than-life villains.
The legacy of the mafia continues to captivate audiences, and through his work, Imperioli offers a rare glimpse into the brutal realities that lurk behind the allure of organized crime. As American Godfathers shows, the story of the Five Families is far more than just a tale of criminal empires — it’s a reflection of the American experience, one built on power, loyalty, and silence.
