Michael Imperioli feared he would be fired from ‘Sopranos’ after set incident — until James Gandolfini ‘burst out in hysterical laughter’

nypost.com:

“Five Families: The Rise, Decline and Resurgence of America’s Most Powerful Mafia Empires” by Selwyn Raab. Premiering Sunday, Aug.

11 (8 p.m.), the three-part series covers the rise and fall of New York City’s five Mafia families, including archival images, footage, audio recordings, and on-camera interviews with historians, experts, law enforcement, witnesses, and former Mafia affiliates. “The first part I had done research on the mob for was ‘Goodfellas’… Then, I did research for a movie that never got made where I was going to play [famous mob boss] Lucky Luciano,” said Imperioli, who lives in New York City with his wife, Victoria Chlebowski, and their two sons (plus Victoria’s daughter from a previous relationship).

Because he’s played several iconic Mafia characters onscreen, Imperioli, who is also known for “The White Lotus,” said he did once meet a real life made man.

The person has since passed away, he added. “I won’t say his name… but he was a captain – I don’t remember of which family. I met him at Rao’s when I was with [late ‘Sopranos’ co-star] Tony Sirico.” Imperioli said that the man, “Offered to show me the correct way to strangle someone with a piano wire.