Steve Schirripa Biography

Fast Facts

• Graduate of Brooklyn College where he played basketball
• As the Riviera Hotel entertainment director on the Las Vegas Strip, worked with comedians Drew Carey, Kevin Pollack and Bruce Baum
• Quote: "(On how his life changed after "The Sopranos") "From an acting perspective, obviously it became easier to get work․ The show was a big platform… As far as my own life goes, I don't buy into the Hollywood scene․ I still have the same friends․""
• Quote: "(On his relationship with his "The Sopranos" cast members) "If you were going to be on one show, that's the show to be on․ I mean we're honestly good friends․ It's not like… a lot of casts on TV say 'Oh we're good friends, we're good friends․'""
• Quote: "(On raising his two daughters) "Dad is the one who's gotta step up and say "Fuggedabout it! You're gonna do great! You're the best!" Because, when you tell your kid she's gonna knock it out of the park, you're gonna believe it․ And that's gonna make her believe it․""
• Has written three comical books on Italian Americans with author Charles Fleming, including "A Goomba's Guide to Life," "The Goomba's" Book of Love," and "The Goomba Diet․"
• Wrote two comical books for young adults, "Nicky Deuce: Welcome to the Family" and "Nicky Deuce: Home for the Holidays," and Nickelodeon optioned to turn the books into films, with Schirripa working as executive producer