Fans of HBO classics are likely to recall Cristin Milioti’s role in the iconic series The Sopranos, a performance that resonates once again in her portrayal in The Penguin. Over its eight seasons, The Sopranos featured a sprawling ensemble cast, making it easy for even the most devoted viewers to overlook some guest appearances. The intricate web of characters, from mobsters and their families to associates and adversaries, required skilled actors capable of bringing even minor roles to life.
Long before gaining notoriety, Cristin Milioti made a brief appearance in The Sopranos. Most well-known for her role as Tracy McConnell in How I Met Your Mother, which many viewed as underappreciated, her career spans various notable projects like 30 Rock, Fargo, The Mindy Project, Black Mirror, and The Wolf of Wall Street. Interestingly, her most recent role in The Penguin seems to have elevated her fame, drawing parallels to her earlier connection with The Sopranos.
Cristin Milioti Portrayed Catherine Sacrimoni on The Sopranos
Catherine: The Youngest Daughter of Johnny Sacrimoni
Cristin Milioti’s three-episode arc featured her as Catherine Sacrimoni, the youngest daughter of John “Johnny Sac”Sacrimoni (played by Vincent Curatola), who serves as the ambitious underboss of the Lupertazzi crime family in New York City. While Catherine’s role is not as prominent as that of her sister, Allegra Sacrimoni (Caitlin Van Zandt), her presence is significant during critical moments, notably at her father’s bedside as he battles terminal cancer.
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Cristin Milioti’s Appearances on The Sopranos |
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Season |
Episode |
Title |
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6 |
5 |
“Mr. & Mrs. John Sacrimoni Request…” |
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6 |
10 |
“Moe n’ Joe” |
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6 |
14 |
“Stage 5” |
Unlike her elder sister Allegra and their mother, Ginny (Denise Borino), Catherine maintains a slender physique. While Ginny’s weight has been a contentious issue for Johnny, provoking threats against those who bring it up, Catherine’s sensitivity towards food and her family’s dynamics indicates that weight and eating issues pervade the family. Although her role may be brief, Milioti successfully conveys the complexities of being both a daughter of Johnny and Ginny, balancing her mother’s sweetness with her father’s sardonic wit.
Insights from Cristin Milioti on Directing by Steve Buscemi
A Chance Encounter Led to Milioti’s Casting
Steve Buscemi, who portrayed Tony Blundetto in The Sopranos, also directed four episodes, including Milioti’s first appearance in season 6, episode 5, “Mr. and Mrs. John Sacrimoni Request…”. Milioti recounted how Buscemi discovered her while she was working in a coffee shop, leading to her unexpected casting. Initially apprehensive about her first major role, she expressed gratitude for Buscemi’s supportive demeanor.
“I was so scared. But Steve Buscemi was so nice. I talked to him a lot about jazz.”
At the time of her casting, Milioti had only previously appeared in an episode of 3 lbs., making Buscemi’s reassuring presence all the more meaningful.
The Connection Between Milioti’s Roles in The Sopranos and The Penguin
Parallels Between Sofia Falcone and Catherine Sacrimoni
Nearly two decades after The Sopranos, Cristin Milioti has emerged as a prominent figure, earning Golden Globe and SAG nominations for her role as Sofia “The Hangman”Falcone in The Penguin. Both series showcase the intricacies of mob family dynamics, revealing striking similarities between Sofia and Catherine. For instance, both characters are the younger siblings surrounded by powerful crime lords and serve as the familial outcasts.
Milioti’s portrayal of Catherine, who reacts with frustration over constant discussions of food, mirrors Sofia’s assertiveness in confronting those who disrespect her in The Penguin. The continuity in Milioti’s character traits showcases her evolving talents over the years, indicating that the qualities she harnessed during her time on The Sopranos have influenced her more recent performance.