James Gandolfini Pulls Soprano-Like Trick in Restaurant

The Internet Movie Database ^ | 04/21/03

[Drew68]

Sopranos star James Gandolfini pulled a Mafia-style trick at a charity bash - to get the staff to carry on serving.

Organizers at the party in New York's trendy 24 restaurant had told him that the $420-a-head fundraiser was over because the staff weren't paid overtime.

But the furious TV actor, who gets $735,000 an episode playing New Jersey criminal Tony Soprano in the hit series, demanded that they keep working, and ordered a meeting to discuss the problem.

And a few minutes later it became clear that the hot-shot's stunt had worked - he appeared to announce that the staff had "seen the errors of their ways" and would carry on working.

A guest says, "James came out of the kitchen with a big knowing smile.

It could have easily been a scene from The Sopranos.

Everyone was applauding him as he sat down.

James laid it on the line Soprano-style and staff went back to work for no extra pay."

[Drew68]

James laid it on the line Soprano-style and staff went back to work for no extra pay."

What a champ! A real, stand-up kinda guy.

[cherry]

yeah...let the little people keep up in the kitchen so the rich and powerful can act all charitbable while over eating and over drinking...

[Mr. Mojo]

I don't believe this for a second. Rest assured, those staffers were paid for overtime. ...Perhaps by the mafia-wannabe himself.

[cherry]

"charitable" me thinks...

[apillar]

Sounds to be like this was a little bit of pre-arranged drama for the sake of the charity fundraiser. Most New York restaurant workers I know would be less than impressed by Mr. Overpaid Actor and would have probably laughed him out of the kitchen or, depending on their mood, might have picked him up and threw him out.

[KellyAdmirer]

An awful lot of waiters in NYC are actors who would sell their souls for bit parts in a hit tv series....

[Drew68]

I don't believe this for a second. Rest assured, those staffers were paid for overtime.

You could be right. That's the kind of bad publicity that no one wants.

Then again, some stars are so out of touch with the real world that they wouldn't even think this would be seen as poor behavior.

IMDB.com usually gets their news from "reputable" sources like Reuters or AP so who knows.

[Drew68]

Sounds to be like this was a little bit of pre-arranged drama for the sake of the charity fundraiser.

I'm thinking you might be right.

Interesting FReeper name. Do you work in automotive collision and painting?

[apillar]

"Interesting FReeper name. Do you work in automotive collision and painting?"

No, actually my name is Aaron Pillar (apillar)
Oh well, I'll probably win the award for the least
imaginative freeper name!

[sharktrager]

The first year of the Sopranos found Gandolfini receiving tribute at the Golden Globes from other stars. More than one writer noted that Gandolfini was being treated like, and was acting like, a real Don.

I like him. I like the show. But everything seems to support that he has let his fame go to his head.

[So Cal Rocket]

If they weren't paid for their overtime, then the restaurant is in violation of the Fair Labors Standards Practice Act.

[mr.pink]

Rest assured, those staffers were paid for overtime. ...Perhaps by the mafia-wannabe himself.

Agreed.... hundred dollar bills tucked in staffers pockets would be my guess.

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Just a skosh...

[Born to Conserve]

" Rest assured, those staffers were paid for overtime. ...Perhaps by the mafia-wannabe himself."

Bingo.

[BerniesFriend]

Sorry..but this has urban legend written all over it..