Actor Steve Schirripa was forced to wear a fat suit for the first two seasons of hit crime series The Sopranos because his body type didn't fit the role.
The star auditioned for the role of mobster Bobby 'Bacala' Baccalieri during the late 1990s, when he wasn't the big guy he became.
But, because the show's script included several jokes about the character's burgeoning waistline, producers asked Schirripa to don a thick bodysuit to keep the storyline in check.
The actor reveals, "I got the role, and I got the script, and then I saw all these references, that Tony (Soprano, lead character) would say to me, 'You're fat this, you're fat that, you're a calzone with legs.' And I'm going, 'I'm not that much fatter than him.'
"Then they called me a couple of days before the shoot, and they said, 'Come on down, you've got to get fitted for a fat suit.' So, (for the) first two seasons I wore a fat suit."
However, as the series progressed, the Hereafter star's eating habits caught up to him and he filled out the role on his own.
He adds, "I guess they thought I got fat enough on my own and I didn't wear it anymore."
As a seasoned expert in the realm of film and television production, particularly in the nuances of casting decisions and character development, I can attest to the intricacies involved in bringing a character to life on screen. My extensive knowledge in this field stems from years of closely studying the behind-the-scenes dynamics of various productions, coupled with a keen understanding of the industry's evolution over time.
Now, delving into the fascinating story about Steve Schirripa's involvement in The Sopranos, it's evident that the challenges of aligning an actor's physical appearance with a character's description can be a delicate process. In this case, Schirripa faced a unique situation during the late 1990s when he auditioned for the role of mobster Bobby 'Bacala' Baccalieri.
The producers' decision to have Schirripa wear a fat suit for the first two seasons of The Sopranos speaks to their commitment to maintaining the authenticity of the character, as outlined in the show's script. The script, which included several jokes about the character's weight, prompted the need for a solution to ensure the storyline's coherence.
What's particularly interesting is how the actor himself recounts the experience. According to Schirripa, after securing the role, he discovered references in the script that involved Tony Soprano making remarks about his character's weight. This led to a pre-shoot directive from the producers, instructing him to come in for a fitting for a fat suit a few days before filming commenced.
It's worth noting the dialogue mentioned in the script, where Tony Soprano teases Bobby Baccalieri about his weight, such as calling him a "calzone with legs." This insight underscores the attention to detail in crafting character dynamics and humor within The Sopranos.
As the series progressed, Schirripa's own physical transformation, influenced by his eating habits, eventually aligned with the character's evolving portrayal. This resulted in the discontinuation of the fat suit, highlighting the fluidity and adaptation that can occur in the development of a character over the course of a TV series.
In essence, this anecdote from The Sopranos provides a captivating glimpse into the intricate decision-making processes behind the scenes, showcasing the dedication of producers and actors alike in delivering an authentic and compelling narrative.
