You can't help but laugh at the Neanderthal attitudes of characters like Paulie and the surprising responses of others. It challenges the audience’s assumptions, acts as a microcosm of the prejudices existing within American society at large, and adds layers of complexity to an already intricate tale of crime, family, and identity.
After he died in 1991 during a failed armed robbery, Arena became known as “The Gay Hitman” after it was revealed he had a younger lover named Joey Lee who was several years his junior.
Maybe Livia Soprano (Nancy Marchand) said it best when she told her grandson, "It's all a big nothing."
Release Date
1999 - 2007
Network
HBO
Showrunner
David Chase
Directors
Tim Van Patten, John Patterson, Alan Taylor, Jack Bender, Steve Buscemi, Daniel Attias, David Chase, Andy Wolk, Danny Leiner, David Nutter, James Hayman, Lee Tamahori, Lorraine Senna, Matthew Penn, Mike Figgis, Nick Gomez, Peter Bogdanovich, Phil Abraham, Rodrigo García
Writers
Michael Imperioli, Jason Cahill, Lawrence Konner, David Flebotte, James Manos, Jr., Salvatore Stabile, Toni Kalem, Mark Saraceni, Nick Santora
Vito Spatafore, portrayed by actor Joseph R.
Gannascoli, is a notable character in the HBO series “The Sopranos,” created by David Chase.
It’s in New Hampshire that Vito falls in love with a local chef and volunteer firefighter he affectionately nicknames “Johnny Cakes”.
The pair enjoy a sweet, whirlwind romance before Vito decides to head back to his old lifestyle in New Jersey, only to be violently killed on account of his sexuality.
The topic of homosexuality in the mob wasn’t just new to The Sopranos but to the mafia genre as a whole – and Vito’s character arc earned the swooning praise of critics.
Joseph R. Gannascoli as Vito portrays his character's desperation and fear with heartbreaking authenticity. “And one day I kind of whispered it to this woman, Robin Green, who was one of the writers along with her husband Mitch Burgess.
“And I said, ‘Hey Robin, I’ve been reading this book and there’s this true story about a gay mobster, I think it’d be kind of interesting [for my character] and I’d be willing to do it.
“And she said, ‘Oh, really?’ And I gave her the book and that was it.
While its somber tone and challenging subject matter may not appeal to all viewers, the episode's artistic achievements and emotional profundity firmly establish it as a critical moment in the series.
9snoozejonc
You get a pass for that
Rumours about Vito start to circulate as he keeps a low profile.
This is very strong episode with great dark humour and character moments.
The tone is nicely set by an opening scene where a quite serene image is interrupted by a mundane irritation of life.
The pull of the mafia lifestyle, with its power and respect and material gains, is too great for Vito to resist forever.
For a while, Tony considers letting Vito back into the fold, nearly coming around to a "live and let live" philosophy in his therapy sessions.
Jerry Capeci, who co-authored the book, told Uproxx in 2021 that Arena and Lee often posed as father and son and would rob doctor’s offices together.
The pacing maintains suspense and emotional rhythm, weaving together multiple storylines fluidly.
Sound design and music choices deepen the narrative mood, integrating poignant silences, diegetic sounds of the natural New England setting, and atmospheric score elements that heighten both tension and emotional resonance.
Performances are outstanding and nuanced.
While the relationship itself is well-handled, it doesn't seem like the series was really interested in making any sort of progressive statement with its treatment of Vito, as his exit also opens the door for the characters to engage in some of the most vicious homophobia the show ever produced.
'The Sopranos' Hits Way Differently in 2025, and Not for the Reasons You Think
I expected the misogyny and racism from the characters, but one aspect of watching 'The Sopranos' in 2025 hits very differently.
This isn't to say that it's inherently wrong to include homophobia in storytelling, particularly in a very tradition-based setting like the world of the mafia.
I’d probably still be alone in an apartment, smoking cigarettes which I gave up 15 years ago.
“He was a great guy. There, he writes and edits the column Tubi Tuesday, where he recommends movies found on Tubi, the greatest of all streaming sites. Again, this is arguably the most realistic course for the story to take; it's impossible to say what would have been "right" or "wrong" for the show to do.
But otherwise, he said his performance was well-received by friends and Sopranos fans alike.
Gannascoli watched the ninth episode of season five with a group of 20 of his friends and didn’t tell any of them what they were about to see. The focus is mostly on Tony and Vito, but the likes of Carmela, and Angie Bompensiero are also used cleverly to make certain points.
His murder also serves as a catalyst for characters like Tony to reflect on their personal values versus the cultural norms they’ve always adhered to.
Moreover, the storyline gives audiences an intimate look into the struggles of a gay man in a hyper-masculine environment, serving as a lens through which the deeply ingrained prejudices of this subculture are exposed.
The decision ends up being taken out of Tony's hands when Phil and his crew ambush Vito and beat him to death.
Why The Sopranos Was Such a Big Deal
During its six-season run, The Sopranos did something magical. While he tries to pass the whole thing off as a joke, the men are unconvinced, and word quickly begins to spread about Vito's activities.
Do I have any good scenes?
“And this one time I asked him am I getting killed, and he told me ‘No, you’re okay.’ And I asked him if I had some good stuff and he said ‘Yeah, you have some good stuff.’
“So I thought, great I’ll wait until we get the script to do the [table] read-through.
Let's talk about it.
Vito's New Hampshire Hideout
HBO
Near the beginning of Season 6, Vito is discovered partying by a couple of mob associates when they come to collect from a gay bar. It interrogates the collisions between identity and expectation, freedom and fatal constraint, survival and annihilation, all within the unforgiving climate of organized crime.
The episode explores taboo and complex social issues such as sexual identity within traditional ethnic enclaves, the evolution of family and community codes, and the costs of maintaining power and honor amid change.
However, the decision to focus so much on Vito's sexuality and his brief relationship with New Hampshire diner owner Jim "Johnny Cakes" Witowski (John Costelloe) leaves some lingering questions as to the series' intent for his character on a thematic level. But when faced with the reality of that decision, he opts to return to his old life, ultimately leading to his doom.