the guy who plays Paulie Walnuts is actually a "Conservative Republican". he was at an R fundraiser and was quoted as saying he was as conservative as you can get.
The guy who plays Paulie Walnuts, Tony Sirico, is also one of the few actors on the show who has actually spent time in prison. For armed robbery in the early seventies.
His character is definitely the funniest on the show. He's such a pathetic loser, I love watching him. Sirico is absolutely magnificent in the role.