James Gandolfini’s The Sopranos became so hugely successful that the police had to intervene

Starring James Gandolfini, The Sopranos is one of the most iconic TV series. The series follows the life of an Italian-American mob boss balancing his criminal empire and family problems, captivating millions and becoming a cultural phenomenon.

One memorable moment was when the show’s popularity was so overwhelming that an open casting call drew a crowd of 13,000, with police having to intervene due to the huge crowd.

David Chase recalled the overwhelming response to The Sopranos Open Casting Call

If The Sopranos celebrates its 25th anniversary celebrates its 25th anniversary, David Chase has shared new insights into the creation of the show in Smart Guy: David Chase and The Sopranosrevealing intriguing stories about the show and its impact.

The show’s creator reflected on such an incident in his interview with Empire , in which he discussed the show’s impact on the Italian-American community, which often felt misrepresented or caricatured.

Reflecting on how deeply the show resonated with them, Chase recounted an open casting call in Harrison, New Jersey, that attracted 13,000 Italian-Americans. He explained, according to Slash Film,

We once had an open call for actors in Harrison, New Jersey, and 13,000 people showed up. The police had to shut it down. The turnpike exit was all messed up. And it was all Italian. All 13,000 of them.

Entertainment Weekly also reported the chaotic open casting call at the time, claiming that the casting call attracted more than 15,000 applicants. The event was reportedly organized to find Italian-American-looking extras for the show.

Casting directors managed to see 5,000 aspiring actors and collected another 7,000 headshots. Several aspiring actors shared their enthusiasm and personal stories, hoping for a chance to make their star shine. However, the event was cut short due to the overwhelming turnout.

David Chase reflects on James Gandolfini’s unique talent and The Sopranos Legacy

In a recent interview with CBS, the creator of the hit HBO drama said The SopranosDavid Chase provided insight into the remarkable talent of the late James Gandolfini, who played the complex protagonist Tony Soprano.

“He is incredible,” Chase said, praising Gandolfini’s exceptional acting ability. Further emphasizing his physical presence, the showrunner said,

Well, it’s all about his face and his eyes, really. There’s something about his eyes that was – it was otherworldly.

Later in his conversation, Chase also admitted that he initiallyly had a hard time categorizing the series because of its mix of dark humor and drama. “I’ve never been able to figure out if it’s a comedy,” Chase said before adding “I guess it’s just like life. I don’t know, I hope.

Gandolfini, who died unexpectedly of a heart attack in 2013 at the age of 51, left an indelible mark on the series, which continues to be praised for its complex storylines and memorable performances.

The Sopranos can be viewed on Max.