---
name: "Michael Imperioli"
canonical: "https://film.one/person/michael-imperioli"
fi1m_id: "michael-imperioli"
imdb_id: "nm0408284"
tmdb_id: 11486
wikidata_id: "Q317358"
roles: ["Actor"]
born: "26 March 1966"
reviewed_on_fi1m: 9
average_fi1m_score: 73
average_as: "actor"
average_over: 9
updated: "2026-10-05T03:24:20.982617+00:00"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# Michael Imperioli

## Identity

Michael Imperioli

- **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/michael-imperioli
- **Type:** Person
- **Fi1m ID:** michael-imperioli
- **IMDb ID:** nm0408284
- **TMDB ID:** 11486
- **Wikidata ID:** Q317358
- **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Imperioli, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q317358, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0408284/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/11486

Actor. Born 26 March 1966 in Mount Vernon, New York, USA.

## Details

- **Work:** Actor
- **Born:** 26 March 1966, Mount Vernon, New York, USA
- **Active:** 1990–present
- **Also known as:** James Michael Imperioli, Michael Imperiola, Джеймс Майкл Империоли
- **Frequently works with:** [Lorraine Bracco](https://film.one/person/lorraine-bracco.md)
- **Primetime Emmy Awards:** 1 Emmy (1 won)
- **Average Fi1m score:** 73, as actor, over 9 titles
- **Fi1m score by decade:** 1990s 87 (3), 2000s 43 (2), 2010s 74 (1), 2020s 79 (3)
- **Fi1m against the critics:** 73 to 71 across 9 titles
- **Score spread:** 4 at 80+, 3 at 60–79, 2 under 60
- **Lead roles:** 0 of 6 acting credits billed first or second
- **Genres:** Drama 8, Crime 4, Comedy 2, Mystery 2, Action 1, Animation 1
- **Screen time:** 12 hours of reviewed films
- **Box office:** $579m across 5 films with figures
- **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Imperioli, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q317358, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0408284/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/11486

## Streaming the US now

- **Apple TV:** [*Escape at Dannemora*](https://film.one/tv/escape-at-dannemora.md) (74), [*The Lovely Bones*](https://film.one/film/the-lovely-bones.md) (46)
- **Netflix:** [*Song Sung Blue*](https://film.one/film/song-sung-blue.md) (68), [*Shark Tale*](https://film.one/film/shark-tale.md) (40)
- **HBO Max:** [*The Sopranos*](https://film.one/tv/the-sopranos.md) (94)
- **Amazon Prime Video:** [*One Night in Miami...*](https://film.one/film/one-night-in-miami.md) (84)

For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country.

## Fi1m on Michael Imperioli

> We rate Michael Imperioli most highly as an ensemble actor, making troubled men difficult to dismiss. His patient work in *Song Sung Blue* is a useful reminder that volatility is only one of his strengths.

In *Song Sung Blue* (2025), Michael Imperioli gives Mark Shurilla the patience of someone who has seen enough to stop being easily surprised. It is a small, steady contribution to Craig Brewer’s story of a Milwaukee couple and their Neil Diamond tribute act. We found his patience a relief: the script keeps adding misfortunes until each new blow begins to count for less. He cannot solve that problem, but he gives us something worth attending to while it persists.

His early film work included Spider in Martin Scorsese’s *Goodfellas* (1990), and he became a recurring collaborator of Spike Lee. Crime stories supplied many of the supporting roles, with volatility a frequent requirement. But the career was already broader than that casting suggests: he co-wrote *Summer of Sam* (1999) with Lee. Writing five episodes of *The Sopranos* gave him a further share in shaping the work for which he is best known.

That character, Christopher Moltisanti, was his breakthrough in *The Sopranos* (1999–2007), created by David Chase. Christopher is the strongest example of what Imperioli can do with a troubled man in an ensemble: keep him complicated enough that volatility does not become his only distinguishing feature. Our recommendation of the series is unhesitating, with James Gandolfini central to its ability to be funny, frightening and painfully recognisable. We do sometimes wish it would spend less time indulging Tony’s grievances. That reservation does not diminish the value of watching Imperioli within a company that gives difficult people sustained attention.

His later ensemble work includes Dominic Di Grasso in *The White Lotus* (2022), while *Song Sung Blue* makes a useful case for the quieter supporting parts. Brewer’s film has warmth, and Jackman and Hudson sing honestly, even when the script insists on further hardship. Imperioli’s steadiness is another reason to consider it, though our recommendation of *The Sopranos* is much firmer. We would welcome more of Shurilla’s patience, preferably in a film less determined to exhaust it.

## Biography

Michael Imperioli is an American actor, novelist, screenwriter and musician. He was born on 26 March 1966 in Mount Vernon, New York, and trained at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in New York.

He made his film debut in the late 1980s and gained early recognition for his role as Spider in Martin Scorsese's *GoodFellas* (1990). Imperioli is best known for portraying Christopher Moltisanti in the HBO series *The Sopranos* (1999–2007), for which he received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2004. He has appeared in numerous films including *Jungle Fever* (1991), *Bad Boys* (1995), *The Lovely Bones* (2009) and *One Night in Miami* (2020), and played Dominic Di Grasso in the HBO series *The White Lotus* (2022).

In 2025 he appeared as Mark Shurilla in the film *Song Sung Blue*. His stage work includes a Broadway debut in the 2024 revival of *An Enemy of the People*.

*Sources: en.wikipedia.org, hollywoodreporter.com, britannica.com.*

## On Fi1m (9)

- *Song Sung Blue* (2025), Fi1m 68, as Mark Shurilla — [page](https://film.one/film/song-sung-blue.md)
- *The White Lotus* (2021), Fi1m 85, as Dominic Di Grasso — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-white-lotus.md)
- *One Night in Miami...* (2020), Fi1m 84, as Angelo Dundee — [page](https://film.one/film/one-night-in-miami.md)
- *Escape at Dannemora* (2018), Fi1m 74, as New York Governor Andrew Cuomo — [page](https://film.one/tv/escape-at-dannemora.md)
- *The Lovely Bones* (2009), Fi1m 46, as Len Fenerman — [page](https://film.one/film/the-lovely-bones.md)
- *Shark Tale* (2004), Fi1m 40, as Frankie (voice) — [page](https://film.one/film/shark-tale.md)
- *The Sopranos* (1999), Fi1m 94, as Christopher Moltisanti — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-sopranos.md)
- *Clockers* (1995), Fi1m 74, as Detective Jo-Jo — [page](https://film.one/film/clockers.md)
- *GoodFellas* (1990), Fi1m 93, as Spider — [page](https://film.one/film/goodfellas.md)

## Complete filmography (107)

Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page.

- *The Housewife* (2026), as Anthony DeVito
- *Memory of a Killer* (2026), series, as Dutch Forlanni
- *Song Sung Blue* (2025), as Mark Shurilla — Fi1m 68, [page](https://film.one/film/song-sung-blue.md)
- *The Dark Money Game* (2025), series, as Neil Clark (voice)
- *Oh, Canada* (2024), as Malcolm
- *American Godfathers: The Five Families* (2024), series, Executive Producer
- *Kite Man: Hell Yeah!* (2024), series, as Moe Dubelz (voice), Moe Dubelz / Joe Dubelz (voice)
- *Ghosts of the Chelsea Hotel* (2023), Actor
- *This Fool* (2022), series, as Minister Payne
- *The Many Saints of Newark* (2021), as Christopher Moltisanti (voice)
- *American Horror Stories* (2021), series, as Daniel Hausman-Burger
- *The White Lotus* (2021), series, as Dominic Di Grasso — Fi1m 85, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-white-lotus.md)
- *One Night in Miami...* (2020), as Angelo Dundee — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/film/one-night-in-miami.md)
- *Between Wars* (2020), as Sarge
- *The Last Full Measure* (2020), as Jay Ford
- *Lincoln Rhyme: Hunt for the Bone Collector* (2020), series, as Rick Sellitto
- *Primal* (2019), as Paul Freed
- *Watchmen* (2019), series, as Squid Man (uncredited) — Fi1m 84, [page](https://film.one/tv/watchmen-2019.md)
- *Project Blue Book* (2019), series, as Edward Rizzuto
- *Escape at Dannemora* (2018), series, as New York Governor Andrew Cuomo — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/tv/escape-at-dannemora.md)
- *Cabaret Maxime* (2018), as Bennie Gazza · Producer
- *Alex, Inc.* (2018), series, as Eddie
- *Lucifer* (2016), series, as Uriel
- *The Wannabe* (2015), as Alphonse
- *Houses* (2015), as Michael
- *Mad Dogs* (2015), series, as Lex
- *The Scribbler* (2014), as Moss
- *Cantinflas* (2014), as Michael Todd
- *The M Word* (2014), as Charlie Moon
- *Foreclosure* (2014), as Bill
- *Oldboy* (2013), as Chucky
- *Vijay and I* (2013), as Micky
- *Nicky Deuce* (2013), as The Doctor
- *The Call* (2013), as Alan Denado
- *Girls* (2012), series, as Powell Goldman — Fi1m 82, [page](https://film.one/tv/girls.md)
- *County* (2012), as Dr. David Mercer
- *Stuck Between Stations* (2011), as David
- *Blue Bloods* (2010), series, as Robert Lewis
- *Detroit 1-8-7* (2010), series, as Det. Louis Fitch
- *Hawaii Five-0* (2010), series, as Odell Martin — Fi1m 65, [page](https://film.one/tv/hawaii-five-0.md)
- *Love and Distrust* (2010), as Stud (segment "Auto Motives")
- *The Lovely Bones* (2009), as Len Fenerman — Fi1m 46, [page](https://film.one/film/the-lovely-bones.md)
- *Mercy* (2009), series, Actor
- *The Hungry Ghosts* (2009), Director, Writer
- *Life on Mars* (2008), series, as Det. Ray Carling
- *The Secret Life of the American Teenager* (2008), series, Actor
- *The Higher Force* (2008), as Alexander
- *The Lovebirds* (2008), as Vincent
- *Mitch Albom's For One More Day* (2007), as Charley Benetto
- *The Inner Life of Martin Frost* (2007), as Jim Fortunato
- *Californication* (2007), series, as Rick Rath — Fi1m 63, [page](https://film.one/tv/californication.md)
- *HBO: The Making of 'The Sopranos: Road to Respect'* (2006), Actor
- *The Office* (2005), series, as Sensei Billy — Fi1m 77, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-office-2005.md)
- *American Dad!* (2005), series, as Fred (voice)
- *The Five People You Meet In Heaven* (2004), as Captain
- *Shark Tale* (2004), as Frankie (voice) — Fi1m 40, [page](https://film.one/film/shark-tale.md)
- *My Baby's Daddy* (2004), as Dominic
- *High Roller: The Stu Ungar Story* (2003), as Stu 'Stuey' Ungar
- *Love in the Time of Money* (2002), as Will
- *Hamlet* (2000), as Rosencrantz
- *Disappearing Acts* (2000), as Vinney
- *Auto Motives* (2000), as Stud
- *Summer of Sam* (1999), as Midnite · Writer, Executive Producer
- *On the Run* (1999), as Albert DeSantis
- *The Sopranos* (1999), series, as Christopher Moltisanti · Writer, Story, Teleplay — Fi1m 94, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-sopranos.md)
- *Too Tired to Die* (1998), as Fabrizio
- *Witness to the Mob* (1998), as Louie Milito
- *Office Killer* (1997), as Daniel Birch
- *The Deli* (1997), as Matty
- *River Made to Drown In* (1997), as Allen Hayden
- *Blixa Bargeld Stole My Cowboy Boots* (1997), as Johnny
- *Last Man Standing* (1996), as Giorgio Carmonte
- *Girls Town* (1996), as Anthony
- *Flirt* (1996), as Michael
- *Firehouse* (1996), as Lt. O'Connell
- *Trees Lounge* (1996), as George
- *I Shot Andy Warhol* (1996), as Ondine
- *Girl 6* (1996), as Scary Caller #30
- *The Addiction* (1995), as Missionary
- *Dead Presidents* (1995), as D'ambrosio
- *Clockers* (1995), as Detective Jo-Jo — Fi1m 74, [page](https://film.one/film/clockers.md)
- *Sweet Nothing* (1995), as Angelo
- *Postcards from America* (1995), as The Hustler
- *The Basketball Diaries* (1995), as Bobby
- *Bad Boys* (1995), as Jojo
- *Hand Gun* (1994), as Benny
- *Amateur* (1994), as Doorman at Club
- *Touch Base* (1994), as Bennie
- *Men Lie* (1994), Actor
- *Household Saints* (1993), as Leonard Villanova
- *Flirt* (1993), as Michael
- *Joey Breaker* (1993), as Larry Metz
- *The Night We Never Met* (1993), as Dry Cleaning Customer #1
- *Malcolm X* (1992), as Reporter at Fire Bombing — Fi1m 79, [page](https://film.one/film/malcolm-x.md)
- *Fathers & Sons* (1992), as Johnny
- *Mac* (1992), as Backseat
- *A Matter of Degrees* (1991), as Zona's Assistant
- *Jungle Fever* (1991), as James Tucci
- *Law & Order* (1990), series, as Nick Falco, Johnny Stivers — Fi1m 72, [page](https://film.one/tv/law-and-order.md)
- *GoodFellas* (1990), as Spider — Fi1m 93, [page](https://film.one/film/goodfellas.md)
- *The Simpsons* (1989), series, as Dante Calabresi Jr. (voice) — Fi1m 88, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-simpsons.md)
- *Lean On Me* (1989), as George
- *Alexa* (1988), as Acid Head
- *Stephanie, Bride to Be*, Actor
- *Last Days of Basic Cable*, as Bob
- *Empire City*, as Mayor Holloway
- *Rubber Hut*, Actor

## Gallery

- ![Adriana La Cerva and Christopher Moltisanti in The Sopranos (2024)](https://film.one/media/person/7452/gallery-558da167dc01.jpg) Adriana La Cerva and Christopher Moltisanti in The Sopranos (2024) — HBO, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/Adriana_La_Cerva_and_Christopher_Moltisanti_%28Tony_Soprano%27s_Family_Captains%29.jpg/1280px-Adriana_La_Cerva_and_Christopher_Moltisanti_%28Tony_Soprano%27s_Family_Captains%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisanti in The Sopranos (2024)](https://film.one/media/person/7452/gallery-ed7588274509.jpg) Michael Imperioli as Christopher Moltisanti in The Sopranos (2024) — HBO, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/7/74/Christopher_Moltisanti_%28Tony_Soprano%27s_Family_Captains%29.jpg/1280px-Christopher_Moltisanti_%28Tony_Soprano%27s_Family_Captains%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Christopher Moltisanti and Paulie Gualtieri in "Pine Barrens" (2024)](https://film.one/media/person/7452/gallery-ea025f92ca01.jpg) Christopher Moltisanti and Paulie Gualtieri in "Pine Barrens" (2024) — HBO, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/97/Christopher_Moltisanti_and_Paulie_Gualtieri_%28The_Sopranos_Family_Tree%29.jpg/1280px-Christopher_Moltisanti_and_Paulie_Gualtieri_%28The_Sopranos_Family_Tree%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Christopher Moltisanti and Vito Spatafore in "The Legend of Tennessee Moltisanti" (2024)](https://film.one/media/person/7452/gallery-1fe45653c700.jpg) Christopher Moltisanti and Vito Spatafore in "The Legend of Tennessee Moltisanti" (2024) — HBO, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/9a/Christopher_Moltisanti_and_Vito_Spatafore_%28Tony_Soprano%27s_Family_Captains%29.jpg/1280px-Christopher_Moltisanti_and_Vito_Spatafore_%28Tony_Soprano%27s_Family_Captains%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Michael Imperioli](https://film.one/media/person/7452/gallery-467fdb2e6846.jpg) Michael Imperioli — Image via TMDB
- ![Michael Imperioli](https://film.one/media/person/7452/gallery-e599b692f364.jpg) Michael Imperioli — Image via TMDB
- ![Michael Imperioli](https://film.one/media/person/7452/gallery-6023ee04f11b.jpg) Michael Imperioli — Image via TMDB
- ![Donna with Christopher from the Sopranos....This is actor Michael Imperioli...Donna with Christopher Moltisanti (2007)](https://film.one/media/person/7452/gallery-3943ee33acbd.jpg) Donna with Christopher from the Sopranos....This is actor Michael Imperioli...Donna with Christopher Moltisanti (2007) — Josh Miller, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/58/Donna_with_Christopher_Moltisanti.jpg/1280px-Donna_with_Christopher_Moltisanti.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Michael Imperioli at the Opening Night of "Queen of Versailles" on Broadway, 2025](https://film.one/media/person/7452/gallery-8b9d970069cf.jpg) Michael Imperioli at the Opening Night of "Queen of Versailles" on Broadway, 2025 — PhilipRomanoPhoto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/5c/MichaelImperioli-byPhilipRomano.jpg/1280px-MichaelImperioli-byPhilipRomano.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail)
- ![Michael Imperioli](https://film.one/media/person/7452/gallery-db8b440979d1.jpg) Michael Imperioli — Image via TMDB

## Awards

### Primetime Emmy Awards — 1 won

- 2004: Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series (won), for *The Sopranos*

### SAG Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated

- 2021: Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture (nominated), for *One Night in Miami...*

*From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.*

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/michael-imperioli