Dominic Chianese: Uncle Junior

1999: The Thomas Crown Affair 1998: Slam 1998: Went to Coney Island on a Mission From God...Be Back by Five 1997: Night Falls on Manhattan 1996: Love Is All There Is 1996: Looking for Richard 1996: If Lucy Fell 1993: The Night We Never Met 1993: The Contenders 1992: The Public Eye 1991: Out for Justice 1990: Q&A 1989: Second Sight 1981: Fort Apache, The Bronx 1979: ...And Justice for All 1979: Firepower 1978: Fingers 1978: On the Yard 1976: All the President's Men 1975: Dog Day Afternoon 1974: The Godfather, Part II 1972: Fuzz TV 1999: The Sopranos (series) 1996: Gotti (movie) 1990: The Lost Capone (movie) 1980: A Time For Miracles (movie) Even beyond the obvious career differences, Dominic Chianese has little in common with the part he plays on HBO's hit The Sopranos: Corrado "Junior" Soprano, lead character Tony Soprano's uncle and the wily don. "He's alone, never married, doesn't have a family," says the divorced Chianese, 68, who has four daughters, two sons and nine grandchildren. Not to mention a girlfriend, United Nations program officer Jane Pittson, 52. "I really got it right this time," he says of their relationship. Still, Junior and Chianese do share one trait: Both love recognition. These days the actor, at least, is getting it. "A construction crew in Times Square stopped working and said, 'There's Uncle Junior!'" reports Chianese. "Before, only people in theater knew who I was." The Bronx native has journeyed through Broadway and regional theater since 1952 with small parts in films such as The Godfather, Part II. But despite those projects, Chianese, who lives in a one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan, has struggled. To make ends meet, he often sings and plays guitar in nursing homes. "It's a thrill, because I love the elderly," he says. Being on the series, he adds, "is more money than I've ever made before, but it's not a lot of money. If I was making a lot, I'd get a bigger apartment." -- Sophfronia Scott Gregory -- Sue Miller in New York City Profile from People Online

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