{"id":77611,"date":"2019-01-10T22:10:09","date_gmt":"2019-01-11T04:10:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/?p=77611"},"modified":"2019-01-10T22:11:39","modified_gmt":"2019-01-11T04:11:39","slug":"james-gandolfini-remembered-the-sopranos-a-closer-look-at-actor-robert-funaro","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/?p=77611","title":{"rendered":"James Gandolfini Remembered, The Sopranos & A Closer Look at Actor Robert Funaro"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Exclusive Interview by “Bad” Brad Berkwitt <\/strong><\/p>\n

(Interview conducted in 2007)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cI can remember as far back to the fights of guys like Muhammad Ali, Jerry Quarry, and Joe Frazier who when they were boxing, I was always trying to catch them on TV.\u201d–Robert Funaro<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Italian American actor Robert Funaro is a born and bred New Yorker who wears it like a brand new pair of diamond cufflinks.\u00a0 His works screams NYC. His voice echoes Brooklyn.\u00a0 His passion for his work is unmatched.\u00a0 He uses boxing throughout his various analogies about his acting career because he realizes that as he plies his trade day in and day out, he is like a boxer. The boxer goes to the gym. The actor to the studio.\u00a0 Both work themselves to the bone to win the championship in their craft.<\/p>\n

Funaro challenged for the title at an early point in his acting career just like fellow New Yorker, the late junior middleweight Davey Moore from the Bronx, did in just his ninth professional fight.\u00a0 Davey struck Gold when he knocked out the Japanese Champion Tadashi Mihara to win the WBA Junior Middleweight Title.<\/p>\n

In Bobby\u2019s first attempt at the title, he faced a major champion in the television show, \u201cThe Sopranos.\u201d\u00a0 It was already a hit show and he was contacted personally by a friend he calls \u201cJimmy,\u201d but is known to the rest of the world by the character name of Tony Soprano, who requested him to audition for the show.\u00a0 Funaro entered that audition, with hands wrapped tight and boxing gloves on. His audition wowed the \u201cPowers That Be\u201d and the character who was known only in words as Eugene Pontecorvo, now had a live soul to channel the written word to the actor.<\/p>\n

Pontecorvo was a member of the crew headed up by Ralph Cifaretto, and was one of the newer made guys in New Jersey; who got his button at the same ceremony as Christopher Moltisanti. That day, Eugene stood up in front of Tony Soprano and the rest of the family, and pledged his undying devotion to them, above any and all else.<\/p>\n

Pontecorvo later learned the seriousness of that pledge, when he inherited $2 million from an Aunt. Seeing a chance to make a new life, both he and his wife devised a plan to move to Florida and asked Tony for permission to leave. But after considering it, Tony dispatched the trusted Capo Silvio Dante to inform Eugene that this wasn’t the NHL – there’s no retirement. Pressed hard by his near-hysterical wife and, suddenly, the Feds, who wanted him to be their new man on the inside of Tony’s crew, Pontecorvo took the only way out – he hanged himself.<\/p>\n

Funaro\u2019s character, Eugene Pontecorvo, may have died on The Sopranos, but Bobby\u2019s acting career and now his documented love for the sport of boxing in this exclusive interview, shows he is in fact, very much alive…<\/p>\n

BB:\u00a0 Last week I interviewed Joe Gannascoli (Vito Spatafore) and I asked him his opinion and thoughts on the last episode of The Sopranos.\u00a0 What were your thoughts about it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I loved it because it had the open ending like Director Francois Truffaut\u2019s 1959 movie called (Quatre cents coups, Les \u2013 translation 400 Blows), which was up for an Oscar for (Best Writing, Story and Screenplay – Written directly for the screen).\u00a0 At the end of this movie, the little delinquent boy is seen making it to shore, then a still shot of him, with the picture fading to black just as it did with Tony Soprano in the final episode.<\/p>\n

It left you with a thought that just maybe, there may be something else down the road for Tony and the crew on The Sopranos.\u00a0 David Chase, really in my mind, stayed the course with his writing because he left a lot of stories open such as the Russians who were at war with Paulie Walnuts or Dr. Melfi\u2019s rapist, who folks wondered if Tony ever took care of him?<\/p>\n

BB:\u00a0 Your character Eugene Pontecorvo got his button in the same episode as Christopher Moltisanti who was made.\u00a0 Talk about that famous episode and your tenure on The Sopranos.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Funny thing about my last name in the show. I did a scene with Actor and Director Paul Mazursky on The Sopranos and we actually got into a discussion about my characters last name.\u00a0 It means Bridge (Ponte) Crow (Corvo) in Italian. (Laughs). I think a lot of the guys names on the set are named after folks that David Chase (Creator) whose real name is (David DeCesare) knew about growing up because he is Italian.<\/p>\n

I was scared sh*& if you look at my face during the shooting of the episode where I get my button.\u00a0 But really, in that episode, I got my button in terms of being on TV working as a professional.\u00a0 It was like art imitating life for me.\u00a0 What it was for Michael (Imperioli) in the show (being made) was for me doing the show.<\/p>\n

Many don\u2019t know this, but when I first got on the show, I had some health problems and took a gamble to not elect to have surgery, which my brother who is a doctor, said I needed to have. I prayed to God that it would work out because I knew my acting chops would have to be up to a very high level.<\/p>\n

I was on the show a total of four years and did about 25-28 episodes during that time. During those shows, I was more in the outer circle, but the big break came when I did a show titled \u201cMembers Only.\u201d\u00a0 I was hearing from my acting friends, I was getting a wife and kids, so of course, they wanted to play them. (Laughs)<\/p>\n

I started saying to myself this could be really great for me or bad.\u00a0 (Laughs)\u00a0 One day I was on the way out to the movies with my son, when David Chase calls me, which he does personally with all the main guys to let them know what the story is and if they are going to be let go.\u00a0 David says, \u201cI have good news and bad news for you.\u201d\u00a0 I said, \u201cGive me the good news first.\u201d\u00a0 David than says, \u201cThe first episode of that season was all about my character Eugene Pontecorvo and it will give you a chance to shine Bobby.\u201d The bad news was he also said that I was going to die! (Laughs)<\/p>\n

When I got the script for the episode (Members Only), I was thrilled to death! It had Terence Winter (Writer) and Timothy Van Patton (Directing). You could not ask for a better team. When I first got the script, folks were saying no way he would kill himself over two million dollars, so they pumped the script up and I have to tell you, by the time we got done with it to shoot, I was so honored by what this script allowed me to do with my acting. I don\u2019t think I could do it again today with everything being as good as it was for that shoot.\u00a0 It won an Emmy Award for writing, which I was very proud of for Terence (Winter). I was actually on the ballot for the Emmy, but did not make the final cut, but still it was an honor nonetheless.<\/p>\n

Finally, I dedicate what I feel is my biggest triumph (Members Only) thus far in my acting career to my dearly departed mentor and friend, actor Richard Bright. (Al Neri in all three Godfather movies and many others)<\/p>\n

BB:\u00a0 Let\u2019s have a little fun with The Soprano Characters. I will throw a name out at you and for each, just give a few words on what you think of them from your working experience.<\/strong><\/p>\n

James Gandolfini (Tony Soprano)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Three words.\u00a0 Honesty, truthful, and humility.\u00a0 This man truly has a lot of courage and those three words describe him.<\/p>\n

Edie Falco (Carmela Soprano)<\/strong><\/p>\n

At the top of her acting game!<\/p>\n

Michael Imperioli (Christopher Multasanti)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Great guy! He was the first one to come up to me on the set and welcomed me aboard.<\/p>\n

Steven Van Zandt (Silvo Dante)<\/strong><\/p>\n

The real truth and a great musician!<\/p>\n

Tony Sirico (Paulie Walnuts)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Brooklyn all the way!\u00a0 He is at the top of his game and really has a lot of heart. Just look at how long he was in the business before he got his big break on The Sopranos.<\/p>\n

BB:\u00a0 What type of work did you do to sustain yourself while waiting on acting jobs or getting your big break?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I was managing Caroline\u2019s Comedy Club on Broadway in New York City, which is the biggest comedy club on the east coast.<\/p>\n

BB: How did you first get into acting?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Since my days in college, it was always my dream to be an actor. I always kind of dabbled in it and actually did a play with Jimmy (Gandolfini) in Europe called \u201cA Street Car Named Desire.\u201d\u00a0 I played Stanley Kowalski (Role made famous by the late Marlon Brando) and Jimmy played Harold \u201cMitch\u201d Mitchell (Role made famous by Karl Malden) in the 1951 movie version. We toured Scandinavia doing it.<\/p>\n

When we came back, I actually got out of acting for the most part, but always remained in entertainment.\u00a0 Jimmy (Gandolfini) started to get somewhat famous in his acting work, then, The Sopranos broke for a huge hit. The third year into the show Jimmy, heard from a friend of mine that I was working at the Comedy Club and actually came to the club one night to check on me.\u00a0 He then went on to say to me, I want you to audition for The Sopranos.<\/p>\n

I was floored!\u00a0 Funny thing, I had to go to Georgianne Walken\u2019s Casting Office (Christopher\u2019s wife) office, which was a street over from where I worked.\u00a0 They sent the script over and I had my audition at the Silver Cup Studio in New York City.\u00a0 I was in shock to see the entire Sopranos crew there and that includes David Chase.\u00a0 I was scared to death, but I did well.\u00a0 Jimmy (Gandolfini) is the reason I got on the show because I had no agent at the time.\u00a0 This really is the kind of guy he is. I will forever appreciate what my friend did for me.<\/p>\n

BB: To even a novice eye, I think it\u2019s safe to say your career progression in just close to seven years, has been pretty amazing. What do you think?<\/strong><\/p>\n

All I can say is that I have been really blessed to have been on The Sopranos as a young apprentice to work my way up to an episode like \u201cMembers Only\u201d is humbling for sure. I may or may not ever repeat the level of acting I hit in this episode and to be honest, it is not different than the boxer who goes out there, and has his greatest night in the ring winning a title, but then, cannot duplicate in his first title defense.<\/p>\n

BB:\u00a0 Your most recent film work is in American Gangster with Denzel Washington in the lead.\u00a0 With an all-star cast such as Washington, Russell Crowe and Cuba Gooding, JR., to mention just a few, what was that set like<\/strong>?<\/p>\n

It was just great.\u00a0 The movie is based on a true story.\u00a0 Ridley Scott in my opinion did a great job in the Director\u2019s chair and Russell Crowe was a regular guy for sure.\u00a0 My partner in the movie is Josh Brolin (Actor James Brolin\u2019s son) and we had a great time together shooting. I played McCann who is a Special Investigative Unit Detective who is underhanded like (Treat Williams\u2019 character in the 1981 movie Prince of the City).<\/p>\n

BB:\u00a0 I am a huge fan of Al Martino (Singer Johnny Fontane from The Godfather and legendary Italian Crooner). I see you made a short movie called \u201cCutout\u201d (Directed by Marc Cantone) with Al last year. What was the movie about and where can fans of both of your careers see it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

We actually rehearsed in Beverly Hills, California, for three days and Al (Martino) and his lovely wife Judi, were just so gracious to us during the entire time.\u00a0 Judi makes the best lemonade I have ever had in my life. We then brought it back to Absecon, New Jersey, where Marc was able to get a beautiful home to shoot the short movie at.\u00a0 It really was a wonderful shoot about a washed up singer who was playing like Foreign Legions and stuff like that.<\/p>\n

He finds out that his son who he has been estranged from for about 30 years, is trying to sell his house.\u00a0 Al finds out and he had built a pool at the home. What he does is gets in the pool and refuses to come out. So between my character and his, we go backand forth which opens up many memories.\u00a0 If it is shown in a local art theater, check it out.<\/p>\n

BB:\u00a0 Talk about the play you were involved in called Lamppost Reunion.<\/strong><\/p>\n

I played the character Frank Santora who was based on Frank Sinatra who comes back to his birth home of Hoboken, New Jersey.\u00a0 Vincent Pastore (Big Pussy) from The Sopranos who is a friend of mine, asked me to be part of the read.\u00a0 Years ago, on Broadway, the late actor Gabriel Dell played the part as well.
\nIt was a very enjoyable project for sure.<\/p>\n

BB:\u00a0 Let\u2019s now shift our interview to your love for the sport of boxing.\u00a0 How long have you followed the sport?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Since I was a very young kid.\u00a0 I came into this world shortly after Rocky Marciano hung up the gloves, but I used to see tapes of him all the time.\u00a0 I can remember as far back to the fights of guys like Muhammad Ali, Jerry Quarry, and Joe Frazier who when they were boxing, I was always trying to catch them on TV.<\/p>\n

BB:\u00a0 Being a New York born and raised guy like you are; what fights did you enjoy seeing at Madison Square Garden over the years?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I actually used to work at Madison Square Garden and got a chance to watch Buddy McGirt fight Pernell Whitaker back in March of 1993. It was a great fight and very close when the scorecards were announced. Buddy and I became very friendly over the years and I really admire his work as a trainer now.<\/p>\n

BB:\u00a0 Being Italian American, would you agree that whenever a fighter comes out that is Italian or Italian American, there is always a huge following.\u00a0 Why do you think this is?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Yes, I agree. I think it\u2019s a family thing.\u00a0 It\u2019s like the Italian\u2019s go crazy over the Italian Soccer Team.\u00a0 Italians, as you know, are very close knit when it comes to family and this is why I think this would explain the following for an Italian or Italian American fighters following.<\/p>\n

BB:\u00a0 If you had to pick one fighter in the last 40 years that hands down, was your favorite boxer during that period, who would that be and why?<\/strong><\/p>\n

It would have to be Muhammad Ali. The reason why is because he was the Michael Jordan of boxing in his day.\u00a0 He was a great boxer, took the sport to another level with his showmanship and boxing skills.\u00a0 I was never interested in his personal life, but admired his boxing career.<\/p>\n

BB:\u00a0 What fight do you think defined boxing during that same 40 year period and why?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Well, for in the earlier part would have to be Muhammad Ali versus Joe Frazier I, which was a huge fight that was held at Madison Square Garden. There was a division of people backing each fighter for different reasons. This fight was so big that Life Magazine actually dispatched Frank Sinatra as a photographer whose shot of the fighters actually graced the front cover of Life.<\/p>\n

If we talk about modern day, I have to say the three wars between Arturo Gatti versus Micky Ward. They brought hardcore fans and even the casual ones into the sport, which is a great thing.<\/p>\n

BB:\u00a0 What is your favorite boxing movie and why?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Raging Bull (1980). I thought the performances, the set, music, and all the minute details that they made sure of were just outstanding.<\/p>\n

BB:\u00a0 Do you favor a mandatory retirement fund for all boxers, and if so, how do you think it could be accomplished?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Yes, I do.\u00a0 I think it could be done kind of like how we do in the Screen Actors Guild.\u00a0 A lot of the funding is from dues from folks in the acting business and of course the more you make, the more you pay in dues. It helps the others who are not making the big money, but are always working and paying their dues as well.<\/p>\n

I think anyone involved with making a profit in boxing, should pay into a fund.<\/p>\n

BB: If you had the power right now to change one thing in the sport of boxing, what would that be?<\/strong><\/p>\n

I would get rid of all of these title belts.\u00a0 With so many today, you just don\u2019t know who the champion is. The heavyweight division has always been the one division that even the casual fans knew who the champion was.\u00a0 Today, they could not tell you one if they were standing right in front of them.\u00a0 (Writers Note:\u00a0 In this new series, take notice that Robert Shapiro, Joe Gannascoli, and now Bobby, have said the same exact thing in three consecutive interviews.<\/p>\n

BB:\u00a0 Finally, what is the saying you live your life by?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s what you do with what you got, that counts.\u201d<\/p>\n

[si-contact-form form=’2′]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Exclusive Interview by “Bad” Brad Berkwitt (Interview conducted in 2007) \u201cI can remember as far back to the fights of guys like Muhammad Ali, Jerry Quarry, and Joe Frazier who when they were boxing, I was always trying to catch them on TV.\u201d–Robert Funaro Italian American actor Robert Funaro is a born and bred New […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17984,7],"tags":[19471,19472],"class_list":["post-77611","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-entertainment-news","category-interviews-by-bad-brad-berkwitt","tag-james-gandolfini-remembered","tag-the-sopranos-a-closer-look-at-actor-robert-funaro"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77611","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=77611"}],"version-history":[{"count":-2,"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/77611\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=77611"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=77611"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ringsidereport.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=77611"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}