Steven Van Zandt

Steven Van Zandt portrayed gangster and Tony's closest confidant and club owner Silvio Dante.

Van Zandt was a professional guitarist who toured as a member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band who had never acted before the Mafia series.

'The Sopranos' creator David Chase asked him to audition to play Silvio audition after seeing him induct The Rascals at the 1997 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Explaining why he was perfect to play Silvio, he said: "I know those dynamics, okay? I know being the only guy who's not afraid to tell the boss the truth.

“That's the job. That's the gig. If you're the guy's best friend, or the consigliere, or the underboss, you know, somebody has to be the one to occasionally bring bad news.”

Van Zandt, 72, still tours with Springsteen and his own band Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul.