We'll Do It Live! — Steve Schirripa
Quick Read
Summary
Takeaways
- ❖Steve Schirripa's early life included a mixed Jewish-Italian heritage and a challenging upbringing on welfare with an absentee father.
- ❖He never sought an acting career, falling into it after managing comedy clubs in Las Vegas where he was asked to play bouncer roles.
- ❖James Gandolfini was a professional and helpful leader on 'The Sopranos' set, fostering a family-like atmosphere.
- ❖'The Sopranos' cast members were expected to adhere strictly to David Chase's scripts with no input.
- ❖Tom Selleck, on 'Blue Bloods,' had considerable influence over storylines and production decisions.
- ❖Schirripa remains grounded, treating fans with respect and prioritizing his family and long-term marriage.
- ❖He believes personal happiness should not be solely tied to professional success or the acquisition of acting roles.
Insights
1Accidental Ascent to Stardom
Schirripa's acting career was not a planned pursuit but rather an organic progression. He initially worked as a bouncer and then managed comedy clubs in Las Vegas, where he was frequently cast in small bouncer roles for films and TV specials. This led to his breakout role in 'The Sopranos,' a path he describes as 'meant to be' rather than actively sought.
Schirripa states, 'I didn't know. I never knew what I wanted to do.' He describes starting as a pizza delivery driver, then a bouncer, and later managing a comedy club where comics would ask him to appear in short films, eventually leading to an HBO special and his move to LA.
2Leadership and Professionalism on 'The Sopranos' Set
James Gandolfini, despite known personal issues outside of work, maintained absolute professionalism and leadership on 'The Sopranos' set. He actively helped new actors, like Schirripa in his first scenes, and fostered a cohesive, business-focused yet family-like environment, demanding respect among cast members.
Schirripa recounts his first scene with Gandolfini and other main actors: 'Jim is trying to help me. I'm supposed to be intimidated, scared. He's helping me. I was green.' He adds, 'Jim was always a pro... It was all business. He was working 16 hours a day, five days a week... Not without problems... But not on the set. Never when he was working. You saw none.'
3Contrasting Creative Control: 'The Sopranos' vs. 'Blue Bloods'
A significant difference between the two iconic shows was the level of actor input. On 'The Sopranos,' David Chase's scripts were sacrosanct, with actors expected to deliver lines precisely as written. In contrast, 'Blue Bloods' star Tom Selleck, a seasoned actor, had considerable influence and input on storylines and production details.
Schirripa states, 'On The Sopranos, you had no input. What was on that page? You better say end of story... You better say the line or you're not around for the next thing.' He then contrasts this with Selleck: 'Tom had a lot of input... He knows what he's doing. Guy's an actor for 50 years.'
4Grounded Approach to Celebrity and Family
Schirripa consciously avoids the pitfalls of celebrity, emphasizing humility, respect for fans, and prioritizing his family. He attributes his grounded nature to his upbringing and his long-standing marriage, ensuring his daughters remained unaffected by his fame and pursued their own paths.
Schirripa questions why some celebrities are rude to fans: 'Why should I not if 99% of the fans are nice?' He states, 'I hang out with my wife, my kids, people I grew up with. Those are my friends.' Regarding his daughters, he notes, 'They could care less. They're very proud of me... not affected by any of that stuff.'
Lessons
- Cultivate genuine relationships rather than transactional networking; unexpected opportunities can arise from authentic connections.
- Maintain humility and respect for your audience or customer base, as their support is fundamental to your success.
- Prioritize family and personal well-being over professional achievements, ensuring your happiness isn't solely dependent on career highs and lows.
- Instill common sense values and provide a stable, supportive environment for children, focusing on character development over external pressures.
Notable Moments
Bill O'Reilly's staff 'betrayed' him by forcing him to host 'We'll Do It Live' after an on-air f-bomb incident when he was 12, turning it into a running joke.
This anecdote sets a humorous, self-deprecating tone for the host, establishing a casual atmosphere for the interview.
Schirripa's 'out-of-body experience' of running lines in James Gandolfini's trailer with other 'Sopranos' titans, having watched them on TV just a week prior.
This vividly illustrates the surreal and rapid transition Schirripa experienced from an unknown to a key player in a critically acclaimed show, highlighting the impact of sudden fame.
The global popularity of 'The Sopranos' continues, with Schirripa and Michael Imperioli selling 27,000 tickets across 14 cities in England for live storytelling events.
This demonstrates the enduring cultural impact and commercial viability of 'The Sopranos' franchise years after its conclusion.
Schirripa recounts his shock and emotional distress upon hearing of James Gandolfini's sudden death, having to leave a Yankees game immediately.
This moment underscores the deep personal bonds formed among the cast members and the profound impact of Gandolfini's passing on those who worked closely with him.
Schirripa's wife, Laura, ran her 13th New York Marathon at nearly 63 years old, showcasing her dedication and fitness.
This detail highlights the active and healthy lifestyle of Schirripa's family, reinforcing his emphasis on personal values and a strong partnership.
Bill O'Reilly recounts a story where a former go-go dancer from a club he bounced at in 1972 remembered him as 'the nicest bouncer they have ever had there' decades later.
This parallels Schirripa's philosophy on treating people with respect and illustrates how kindness leaves a lasting impression, regardless of one's role or status.
Schirripa's wife, then 21, boldly asked Frank Sinatra for a specific picture, which he graciously granted, resulting in a cherished photo.
This anecdote showcases Sinatra's personal charm and Schirripa's wife's confident personality, adding a touch of old-school Hollywood glamour to their personal story.
Quotes
"The more that I got into being a father, I'm saying, how could you allow this to happen? How could you get the lights shut off? What What could the power bill have been in 1965? $17. I mean, how can you allow that? I had two daughters. I have a responsibility. I got to take care of these two. This is what I signed up for."
"If I liked you, I liked you. If I didn't, there's a guy, he was from Israel. He used to come into the club. I was a bouncer and he was lonely... Long story short, six months later, the guy becomes the vice president of the hotel... And he calls me up. He said, 'We're opening up this comedy club.' He said, 'Uh, I want you to have the job.'"
"Jim was always a pro that you know people say, 'Did you guys have fun on the set?' Yeah, we had fun. It was all business. He was working 16 hours a day, five days a week... a great guy. Not without problems... But not on the set. Never when he was working. You saw none."
"I mean, I walk down the block. I say hello to everybody. I mean, I walk all over. And everybody in New York knows you. Sure."
"I said, you know, you put too much. I said, you know, you put too much into your life as happy or not happy by getting a role. I said, you got money, you're fine. What what you've been depressed for for two years because things are slowed down, which are just natural. Not everybody stays here. Uh the tie goes in, the tie goes out. I said everything, your mood, everything revolves around if you're working."
Q&A
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