Lifestyle

UNMADE MAN

‘Sopranos’ Actor Opens Up About 150-Lb. Weight Loss Journey

The actor went from 400 pounds to 250, and he is not stopping.

Roosa RahkonenReporter, The Looker

PublishedJul 13, 2026, 5:45 PM EDT

UpdatedJul 13, 2026, 5:45 PM EDT

Updated Jul 13, 2026, 5:45 PM EDTPublished Jul 13, 2026, 5:45 PM EDT

Comments

A Sopranos star is sharing the details of his long-term weight-loss transformation.

Joseph “Joe” R. Gannascoli, who played capo Vito Spatafore on the HBO series from 1999 to 2007, weighed 400 pounds in earlier seasons of The Sopranos.

Currently down to 250 pounds, the 67-year-old told the New York Post that he hopes to drop another 40 pounds over the next four months.

The transformation comes partly in preparation for his next television project, which is based on his 2006 crime-novel-meets-cookbook, A Meal to Die For.

Gannascoli said he suffered from bad hips and sleep apnea while filming The Sopranos.

STRENGTH TRAINING AND HONOR

Ripped Russell Crowe Dramatically Transforms His Body at 62

Roosa Rahkonen

To support his health journey, the actor underwent hip surgeries and gastric band surgery.

Gastric band surgery reduces stomach size with a band. This can make the patient feel full sooner, eat less, and subsequently lose weight, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

After his surgeries, Gannascoli also worked with multiple diet pill companies.

In 2006, he was sued by a diet pill company, which alleged that he did not adequately promote its product.

In turn, Gannascoli said the company did not like that his character was revealed to be gay.

When Gannascoli returned for season six, he had dropped 140 pounds.

His look changed so much that the show’s writers made it part of his plot, and Vito Spatafore even appeared in a weight-loss advertisement for the “thin club” during the final season.

In 2026, Gannascoli is utilizing consistent training and dietary changes to prepare for his next role.

'IT CHANGED MY LIFE'

Oscar Winner Undergoes Shocking Body Transformation at 55

Roosa Rahkonen

He starts his days with golf at 6 a.m., and he typically continues to a pickleball court afterward, from which he heads to the gym.

“I just started hitting every body part, and I’m doing that four times a week,” he told the outlet. “Now I’m doing heavier weights and less reps.”

As for diet, Gannascoli favors salads—but not baby carrots, as his character does—and limits red meat.

BEFORE & AFTER

Actor, 56, Reveals His No-Medication Weight Loss Secret

Roosa Rahkonen

He also intermittently fasts, typically eating his last meal of the day at 2 p.m.

“I feel better and look better than I did back on the show,” Gannascoli said.

Play Video

Roosa RahkonenReporter, The Looker

Got a tip? Send it to The Daily Beast.