If you thought Tony Sirico who plays Paulie Walnuts took his role way to seriously into real-life, and seemed just a teeny-bit arrogant, it may have to do with him being an actual criminal.
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/sirico/sirico.shtml

I found it delightfully funny, if you saw him on Larry King Live earlier this year, with Loraine Bracco and a few other Sopranos cronies, he lit and began smoking a cigarette on national tv in a recording studio no less (in this day and age). All his fellow co-stars looked at him nervously and ol' King started to mumble sheepishly, now that took balls.

I saw him on Larry King, smoking, and I thought he was acting a little bizzare. Now that you mention it, he did seem a little arrogant. But none the less, he was pretty funny, and his character Paulie Walnuts is one of my favorites. Maybe it isn't so much acting, regardless, his character adds so much to a great show.

Thanks for the link.

Hi,
Tony Sirico is a real life wiseguy. He was even in the can for doing stickups. His character is convincing on the show. Richie Aprile was even more convincing.

Paul

Watch what youse say about my man Paulie Walnuts!!

Paulie's a riot! I've never seen Sirico in an interview, but I do know that The Sopranos wouldn't be the same without Paulie Walnuts.

I agree, but I'm a little concerned where is character is going. I smell trouble with Tony and/or Christopher.

Hi,
You can say that again. This season Paulie looks like he is going to be the thorn in Tony's side. Look how he went moaning to Johnny Sac last season about not being able to get his mother the same care package as Tony's mom.

Paul

Paulie is the man! I just hope what I think is going to happen. Doesn't at all happen ya know what I mean.

Anyway...
I'm wondering how he became an actor ???

You cannot be a criminal and just like that a star in a tv show...

This story is very strange.

We've got quite a few over here, Don Fabrizio, believe it or not: Nick Nolte, Charles Dutton, Robert Mitchum, Tim Allen, etc., etc.! And we won't even get into singers (e.g., country singers like Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, etc.!)! In fact, you'd be hard-pressed to find a celebrity over here who doesn't have at least one blot in their past, either before or after stardom!

yes, But some are just petty crooks, Pot heads, wife beaters, Johns, and such...Now our man Paulie was the real thing..Mobed Up!

Hi,
Vincent Pastore owns a nightclub in New Rochelle. Matt Dillon got him into acting.

Paul

Gotta stand up for my Man in Black -- I just finished reading CASH, the autobiography, earlier this year, and the closest John's ever come to being in prison was when he performed for inmates at Folsom. He didn't really shoot a man in Reno, you know.

I don't know what Johnny chose to include or exclude in his book, as I haven't read it. But I do know he did some time once for setting a forest fire. I believe it was in the '70s, but I can't swear to when it occurred...but I do know it occurred. Of course, to his credit, he did go on to become a solid citizen.

I stand corrected, Snake.

I will however, hold onto my statement that Johnny Cash never shot a man in Reno!

I'll buy that, Don Brannuccio! I'm not a country fan myself, but I think Cash is okay. I've always at least respected the "Outlaw" country singers like him, Merle, Willie, and-- the one country artist I will actually sit still to listen to--the late, great Waylon Jennings. All of 'em I believe have pretty much cleaned up their act...except Willie. I understand he still likes to toke on a doobie once in a while when he's parked on the side of the road!