Ray Liotta Shares Why He Passed on a Role in 'The Sopranos'

Ray Liotta setting the record straight.

The actor stars in the upcoming Sopranos prequel The Many Saints of Newark, which centers on a young Tony Soprano as he grows up during one of the most tumultuous eras in Newark’s history.

However, rumors have circulated for years that Ray was originally considered for the role of Tony Soprano, which ultimately went to James Gandolfini.

In a new interview with The Guardian to promote the film, the Goodfellas star said that he was actually offered a different part on the show.

Click inside to find out which role he was offered…

When asked whether he was ever approached by The Sopranos creator David Chase, Ray replied, “No! I don’t know where that story came from. David once talked to me about playing Ralphie [played by Joe Pantoliano]. But never Tony.”

As for why he turned the role down, the actor explained, “I didn’t want to do another mafia thing, and I was shooting Hannibal.”

“It just didn’t feel right at the time,” he continued.

However, when he heard about The Many Saints of Newark, he flew to New York to ask David Chase for the role.

“I’m really not sure what made me so determined,” he said. “But I was and luckily it all worked out.”

The Many Saints of Newark will be in theaters on October 1 and on HBO Max for 31 days following theatrical release. Check out the trailer here!

The film’s director Alan Taylor recently revealed that Edie Falco reprised her role as Carmela Soprano for the show, but that her scenes were cut from the theatrical release. Find out why…