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Anthony LaPaglia early on, when the series was first pitched to the Fox network, was considered for Tony Soprano. Fox felt that LaPaglia had attractive Italian good looks that would score big with female viewers. However, David Chase was adamant that Tony Soprano look like your average suburban dad everyman. Chase felt that with Tony looking like an average Joe, viewers would not only relate to him but would see that the only thing that attracted people to him was the power he yielded as a Mafia Don.
James Gandolfini said that he was often contacted by real-life "wise guys," complimenting him on the authenticity of the series, as well as giving him advice.
It is said that during some scenes, James Gandolfini inserted a small stone in his shoe to anger him, making him play the role of Tony Soprano more authentically. He would also stay awake all night for some of the breakfast scenes, to achieve a tired look.
After the pilot aired, a real-life "wise guy" told James Gandolfini never to wear shorts again. The encounter seems to have been incorporated into season four, episode one, "For All Debts Public and Private," when New York City mob boss Carmine tells Tony that he'd heard about his recent backyard party, and that "a don doesn't wear shorts." However real life ex-mob capo and street boss Michael Franzese disputes this claim whereas his father Sonny wore shorts on a regular basis.
To settle salary disputes after season four, James Gandolfini gave each main cast member $33,333 from his own pocket.