Steve Schirripa

Steve Schirripa is an American actor, author, television host, and cultural personality best known for his portrayal of Bobby Baccalieri—nicknamed Bobby “Bacala”—on the seminal HBO crime drama “The Sopranos.” Born in Brooklyn, New York, on September 3, 1957, Schirripa’s path to stardom was far from scripted. After graduating from Brooklyn College, he worked as entertainment director at the Riviera Hotel in Las Vegas, booking comedy acts and making cameo appearances, before turning his sights to acting in the 1990s. His early film and television work included bit parts in movies and guest spots on series such as “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit,” “The King of Queens,” and “Angel.” It was his breakout casting in 2000 as the loyal mobster Bobby Bacala that established him as a beloved presence in television drama and one of “The Sopranos’” most memorable supporting players.

Since “The Sopranos” concluded in 2007, Schirripa has built a versatile body of work. He played Detective Anthony Abetemarco on the long‑running CBS procedural “Blue Bloods,” hosted true‑crime series such as “Karma’s a Btch!”* and “Nothing Personal” on Investigation Discovery, and lent his voice to animated films in the “Open Season” franchise. Schirripa also co‑hosted the fan‑favorite “Talking Sopranos” podcast with fellow castmate Michael Imperioli, which spawned the oral history book “Woke Up This Morning: The Definitive Oral History of The Sopranos” in 2021.

In addition to acting, Schirripa is a bestselling author of several books, including “A Goomba’s Guide to Life,” “The Goomba’s Book of Love,” and the children’s picture book “WillieBoy Eats the World,” inspired by his social‑media‑famous dachshund. WillieBoy Eats the World is set for release in April 2026 and highlights his love of food, fun, and life’s simple pleasures.

In 2025, Schirripa expanded his television repertoire by joining the cast of the Paramount+ series “Dexter: Resurrection” in a recurring role, demonstrating his enduring presence and adaptability in entertainment.