All 8 Characters Tony Kills in The Sopranos (& Why)

The Sopranos Never spared from the violence of the mafia world that it was depicting, and the many people Tony Soprano killed cemented him as a truly unique – and dangerous – television protagonist. throughout The Sopranos‘ Six seasons, Tony Soprano authorized the deaths of twelve people from his offices in the back of Satriale’s Pork Store of the Bada Bing Pas Club. The murders are carried out by loyal lieutenants like Pauli “Walnuts” Gualtieri (Tony Sirico) and Silvio Dante (Steven Van Zandt).

Tony Soprano was not afraid to get his hands dirty and often took matters into his own hands. As a result, he is directly responsible for eight murders, the second highest after Paulie’s surprise Sopranos Kill count. Sometimes the murders are committed in the interest of Tony maintaining his criminal lifestyle, but other times the mafioso would kill out of anger, ignoring the chain of command and the privileged position of his victim. The Sopranos It may have ended almost two decades ago, but Tony Soprano’s kills ensure he is remembered as one of the most watchable fictional gangsters ever.

Tony Sopranos’ Kills:

8

Willie Overall was the first person Tony killed

Killed before the events of The Sopranos, discussed in season 6, episode 15, “Remember When”

Willie Overall was the first person Tony killed, Took Willie’s life when Tony was a young man coming up in the Dimeo family. Tony and Paulie killed Willie on Labor Day 1982 and buried him in the basement of a house. 25 years later, they had to lie low in Miami when Larry Barce told the FBI where Willie was buried. Fortunately for Tony and Paulie, Larry tells the authorities that Tony’s close friend, Jackie April, killed Willie overall. As Jackie’s death from cancer begins The SopranosNo complaint could be brought against him.

When Tony looks back on the murder, he is not filled with pride that it is his first kill, and A brief flashback shows that Paulie had to encourage Tony to pull the trigger because he was “a little shaky.” However, it is interesting that when Paulie brings up an address and the name “Willie Overall”, Tony does not immediately remember the murder despite it being his first. It is perhaps an indication that Tony has killed so many people that he is numb to even those who are difficult for him.

7

strangled Fabian “Phoebe” Petrulio to death

Killed in Season 1, Episode 5, “College”

Tony Soprano changed the way protagonists could be portrayed on television, as he was a main character capable of horrific acts of violence. One of the earliest examples of this was in season 1, episode 5, “College,” in which Tony Soprano takes his daughter Meadow (Jamie-Lynn Sigler) to various college open days while tracking down a prominent FBI informant. .

Tony bumps into Phoebe Petrulio (Tony Ray Ross), Now living in witness protection as Fred PetersAt a gas station in Maine. After a game of cat-and-mouse between the two men, Tony ends up strangling Phoebe to death outside his travel agency To send a message that his former life in the crowd has caught up with him.

Seeing the protagonist of a TV show murder a man in cold blood was a shocking television moment, compounded by the fact that Tony carries out the killing while on a trip with his daughter. He was not urged to do it and may have forgotten that he saw Phoebe in the first place. However, it is clear as he kills him that Tony is filled with anger towards a “rat” like this and is happy to kill him.

6

Protection in the Marina Chukki Signor

Killed in Season 1, Episode 13, “I Dream of Johnny Cusamano”

The climax of The Sopranos Season 1 revolves around the failed hit orchestrated by Tony’s Uncle Junior (Dominic Chianese) against his nephew. Tony survives both attempts on his life. After consulting Silvio and Pauli, He decides to remove Chucky Signore (Sal Ruffino), one of Junior’s trusted lieutenants, before Junior can make a third attempt.

In a moment that will mirror one of Tony’s later kills, he surprises Chucky by arriving at the Jersey City Marina with a pistol hidden in a fish. Tony shoots Chucky dead, and he and Seal tie him to a cinder block and dump him in the river. This is one of the more theatrical murders Tony carries out in the series.

He takes Chucky by surprise, seeming to enjoy putting him on edge before executing him. It is a murder that shows Tony’s anger towards her uncle, making it clear that he would have killed younger as well if the older man had not been arrested.

5

Shot Matthew Bevilaqua after he tried to kill Christopher

Killed in season 2, episode 9, “From Wu to Eternity”

in The Sopranos In season 2, the release of Richie Aprile (David Proval) leads to a clash with his brother Jackie’s successor, Tony Soprano. Matthew Bevilaqua (Lillo Brancato Jr.), an ambitious young upstart, and his partner Sean Gismonte (Chris Tardio) decide to throw their lot with Richie. to impress Richie, They tried to hack Tony’s “nephew” Christopher Moltisanti (Michael Imperioli) for hitting Richie’s niece Adriana La Cerva (Drea de Matteo).

The hit failed, and Christopher was able to kill Shawn before he passed out from his injuries. Tony and “Big Pussy” Bonpensiro (Vincent Pastore) tracked down Matthew and questioned him. The young thug is scared for his life and badly beaten, but Tony takes a soft approach to questioning him, promises that he won’t kill him and even gives him a soda. But after Matthew told him everything, Tony coldly tells Matthew that he will kill him, then shoots him in the head as the young man begs for his life.

With the killing in retaliation for the attempt on Christopher’s life, Tony’s actions here show how much Christopher means to him. Pussy points out to Tony that he doesn’t need to be a part of it, reinforcing the fact that Tony doesn’t get his hands dirty often because of his position of power. However, Tony’s insistence that he wants to and the cruel way he deals with Matthew shows that it is personal.

4

Killed Salvatore “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero after finding out that he was an informant

Killed in Season 2, Episode 13, “Funhouse”

Tony realizes that Pusey is an FBI informant In a vivid dream involving talking fish while struggling with food poisoning. It is later revealed that Pussy has been informing the Dimeo crime family since Christmas 1995 when Tony remembers how shifty his former friend was when he arrived at their traditional Christmas celebrations. Realizing that their friend has betrayed them, Tony, Pauli, and Silvio Take Pussy out to sea on Tony’s new boat and Confront him for being an FBI informant before shooting him dead and dumping his body overboard.

While Tony’s kills up until then have been cold-blooded and ruthless, this is one he clearly has a hard time with. Paulie and Silvio are immediately horrified to kill their friend, reluctant to believe that he is really an informant. While they all gun him down, they seem to honor his request not to hurt his face, perhaps showing some lingering respect despite Pucci’s betrayal. After highlighting the impact of the murder, all three men are haunted by the memory in later episodes.

3

Strangled Ralph Cifaretto after he killed their horse

Season 4, Episode 9, “Who Got It”

When Tony kills Ralph Cifaretto (Joe Pantoliano) in The Sopranos Season 4, Episode 9, “Who Did It,” comes after an entire season’s worth of tensions between the two men before his final confrontation with Tony, Ralph murders one of the strippers at the Bada Bing, and disrespects both the woman of Johnny Sack (Vincent Curatola) and Paulie’s mother. However, apart from a beating by Tony outside the Bing, Ralph’s made man status and high earnings protected him from more violent recriminations.

The last straw is when Ralph orchestrates the death of his horse and TonyPie-oh-my for the insurance money. Tony, who has a well-documented affinity for animals, is furious about this and confronts Ralph at his home, resulting in a brutal fight between the two men. Tony ends up strangling RalphIn clear contravention of the mafia code. It’s a moment that shows how hypocritical Tony is, because he previously forbade Paulie from killing Ralph for disrespecting his mother.

Tony is a very careful and cautious person when it comes to his murders, but this is an instance where he is out of control. It’s a heated moment of brutality from Tony. In subsequent episodes after his death, Tony dreams of Ralph and hints that he might regret killing him in that enraged moment.

2

Executes Tony Blundetto to protect him from a more brutal death

Killed in Season 5, Episode 13, “All Due Respect”

When Tony Soprano’s cousin Tony Blundetto (Steve Buscemi) was released from prison, he was courted by his cousin and little Carmine’s crew. Frustrated at his low status in Tony’s crew, Blundetto accepted a contract from his prison buddy Angelo to kill Johnny Sack’s aide Joey Peeps. However, he went too far when He killed the brother of Phil Leotardo (Frank Vincent). In revenge for the Leotardos’ murder of Angelo.

To avoid war with Johnny Sack’s crew, Tony was forced to give up the location of where his cousin was hiding out so Phil could exact his revenge. This is what makes it a different killing than the rest of Tony’s murders as it was done, at least in part, out of compassion. Rather than let Phil get his hands on Tony B and subject him to a long and painful death, Tony quickly executed his cousin.Even knowing that it will anger many.

1

Christopher Moltisanti suffocates after he gets them into a car crash

Killed in Season 6, Episode 18, “Candy and Heidi”

The relationship between Tony and Chris is one of The Sopranos‘ Most compelling arcs, as both men grow further and further apart as the show continues. Tony clearly favors Christopher, causing tensions between his cousin and Paulie, but in season 6 of The SopranosTony has no regrets about killing his cousin. Tony and Christopher’s is irreparable after Christopher Saw talk, Clever premieres and is clearly Christopher’s revenge fantasy against Tony after the death of Adriana.

This plays into Tony’s reasons for killing Chris in the episode “Candy and Heidi” because he realizes his cousin is a liability that could jeopardize Tony’s criminal operations. Relapsing from sobriety, Christopher crashes the car he and Tony are traveling in while under the influence. Furious that Chris would be so reckless and notice the baby seat in the back of the car, Tony suffocates his cousin So it looks like the crash killed him.

Although he shares his sadness with his family and other mourners, Tony is also relieved that he no longer has Christopher as a constant problem in his life. However, a dream sequence shows him confessing to Dr. Melfi that he killed Christopher, showing his guilty conscience. As Tony’s last direct kill in The SopranosThe tragedy of the decline in his and Christopher’s relationship makes it one of the most memorable deaths in the entire series.