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The Sopranos is considered one of the greatest television shows of all time, thanks to its mob-related content, award-winning performances, and intense drama. One minute the viewer was on the edge of their seat and the next minute they were laughing. Whether it was the unintentional comedy or the emotionally draining drama, The Sopranos delivered a great hour of television for over 7 years.

The series finale "Made In America" remains a divisive topic to this day due to its sudden black screen ending. At the very least, the ending worked in terms of talking points, especially since everyone is discussing it 16 years after The Sopranos ended. Still, it's worth reminding fans of every character's possible fate at the end of the beloved series, especially the biggest question of all — who killed Tony Soprano?

Updated on December 20, 2023, by Ajay Aravind: The Sopranos is widely regarded as a masterpiece and one of the best-made series in TV history. Although the show's last episode aired in 2007, its legacy is likely to stand the test of time. We've updated this list with more information about The Sopranos ending and the fate of its major characters.

Meadow Soprano Married Patrick Parisi And Became A Successful Lawyer

She Would Likely Have A Beautiful Family With Patrick

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In The Sopranos ending, it's revealed that Meadow had been secretly dating Patrick Parisi. When Tony and Carmella meet with the Parisi family, Patrick reveals that Meadow got a job with a successful law firm. After the ending at Holsten's, it would make sense if Patrick and Meadow got married and maybe had a couple of kids. Meadow always had a little chip on her shoulder but seemed to be a smart and genuine person.

In Season 3, Meadow was working at a law center and was helping a young Muslim girl with legal problems. The experience Meadow gained at the law firm would pay off and her work ethic would allow her to become one of the most successful lawyers in New Jersey. Meadow and Patrick would likely have a beautiful family. They'd probably give their kids the same privileged life that they both grew up with, minus the mob connections and blood money.

A.J. Soprano Was Working For Carmine's Production Company

Fans Don't Doubt That He's Going To Keep On Complaining Forever

Tony and AJ Soprano sitting next to each other on a couch

A.J. Soprano is one of the most hated characters on The Sopranos, probably because he was self-entitled and whined about everything. Because he threatened to join the military, Tony pulled some strings and got A.J. a job with Carmine Lupertazzi, Jr.'s production company. In the finale, A.J. was also seen kissing Rhiannon, the model who was admitted to the same mental health hospital.

Unfortunately, his SUV catches fire and blows up. A.J. and Rhiannon would likely go on to start dating seriously and move in together. Although, things could take a turn in their relationship if A.J. gets fired from the production company. Either way, fans don't doubt that A.J. would keep complaining, no matter what happens.

Carmela Soprano Got Married To Vic Musto From Season 2

She Nearly Decides To Go To Italy But Ultimately Stays Behind

Carmella places her hand against her chin in The Sopranos

After what happened to Tony at Holsten's, Carmela was probably forced to raise their kids on her own. She likely would have reconnected with Vic Musto. Vic was a home decorator and the brother-in-law of Davey Scatino, one of Tony's childhood friends. Vic and Carmela shared a kiss in Season 2 and even flirted, leading to Carmela inviting Vic over for lunch.

However, Vic may have realized how dangerous Tony was, so he didn't show up for the lunch with Carmela. After Tony is gone, Carmela thinks of going to Italy and rekindling her relationship with Furio but runs into Vic at the hardware store. Vic, knowing that Tony is out of the picture, asks Carmela if she still wants to have that lunch they planned years before. Carmela accepts his invitation and the two begin a serious relationship, which leads to Vic moving into the house and their eventual marriage.

Paulie Ran The Aprille Crew But Eventually Retired To Miami

He Still Has One Of The Greatest Tans, Especially In Florida

Paulie Walnuts looks determined in The Sopranos
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Paulie Walnuts (portrayed by the late Tony Siricio) was an amazing and outrageous character, thanks to his ability to terrify and entertain viewers. In the last episode, Tony offers Paulie the chance to be captain of the Aprille crew, but Paulie refuses, citing the bad luck the previous captains of that crew had: Richie Aprille was killed by Janice, Gigi died on the toilet, and Ralphie was killed by Tony. However, Tony convinces him to take over the crew when he mentions that Paulie and Patsy will be a family soon.

Fans have always wondered about what happened to Paulie in The Sopranos ending. After Tony is gone, Paulie decides to retire to Florida and hangs out with Beansie Gaeta, another former member of the Aprille crew. Paulie remains in Florida and still has one of the greatest tans, something that was important to him even when he lived in New Jersey.

Junior Likely Died In The Hospital

His Alzheimer's Only Worsens Over Time

Five of the Most Gruesome Deaths In The Sopranos

Character

Manner of Death

Episode

Fabian Petrulio

Strangled by Tony Soprano for turning on the family

Season 1, Episode 5

Ralph Cifaretto

Tony smashed his head into concrete for killing his horse

Season 4, Episode 9

Minn Matrone

Smothered to death by Paulie Gualtieri for being mean to his Ma

Season 4, Episode 12

Adriana Le Cerve

Shot to death by Silvio Dante after becoming a rat

Season 5, Episode 12

Phil Leotardo

Shot before his head was crushed beneath a car tire

Season 6, Episode 21

Corrado "Junior" Soprano may have been the boss in Season 1, but he always seemed to be playing catch-up to what Tony and his crew were doing. Junior was strictly a boss by name and was arrested at the end of the first season. Yet, even after giving the green light for a hit on Tony, the two grew close again when Junior was diagnosed with cancer. They seemed to be on good terms for several years, but Junior was then diagnosed with Alzheimer's.

Junior started repeating that Tony never had the makings of a varsity athlete, something he said to Tony when he was a kid. Understandably, Tony was upset by this. In the first episode of Season 6, Junior shoots Tony in the stomach because he thinks Tony is someone else. They only see each other one more time, but Junior doesn't remember who Tony is. Sadly, it's likely that Junior died in the mental health facility.

Janice Found Her Son Hal And Made A Nuclear Family With Bobby's Kids

She Remains An Integral Part Of All Her Kids' Lives

Janice pointing her face to the left in The Sopranos

Janice may have been annoying and selfish, but she seemed devastated when her husband Bobby Baccalieri was killed. Although their relationship wasn't perfect, Janice and Bobby were good for each other. She had another child named Harpo who was never seen in The Sopranos, but it's revealed that he's homeless and had changed his name to Hal. After Bobby's death, Tony recommended bringing Hal into her new family, creating a "nuclear" family.

However, Janice seemed to be more concerned with who would get Uncle Junior's money. Tony tells Junior he should leave that money to Bobby's kids and not Janice. After Junior's death, Janice probably decides to find Hal and continues to take care of Bobby's kids and their daughter. Although her motives seem to be money-related, Janice builds a new life with her "nuclear" family and remains an integral part of all of the kids' lives.

Silvio Might Have Become The Boss Of The Family

He Would Have Been A Good Choice To Carry Tony's Legacy

Silvio looking thoughtful in The Sopranos
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After Tony's death in The Sopranos ending, Silvio could have regained consciousness. After several months of rehabilitation, he would take responsibility for the entire family. Silvio claims he was discussed as a candidate for boss after Jackie died, and he did become acting boss at the beginning of Season 6 after Tony was shot.

However, his allergies started acting up and his breathing became labored after a few days of being the fill-in boss. After surviving the shoot-out, Silvio may have gained a new perspective on life and decided he wanted to be more than a Consigliere. He was so respected by the family that he would have been a good choice to carry Tony's legacy.

Tony Soprano Was Presumably Killed By The Members Only Jacket Guy

His Death Remains Hotly Discussed Among Fans To This Day

The famous cut-to-black Sopranos ending will be debated for years, but most fans think that the black screen signified Tony's death. If so, who killed Tony Soprano, one of the most controversial anti-heroes to ever appear in an HBO series? There were many interesting people in the diner that night, but the man in the Members Only jacket probably pulled the trigger. The Members Only jacket guy was Eugene Pontecorvo's brother. Eugene was a captain for one of Tony's crew at the beginning of Season 6 but wanted to retire to Florida with his wife and kids.

Maybe Tony rejected Eugene's request to retire and revealed Eugene was working with the FBI. Eugene's life might have started to unravel quickly, which led to his brother wanting revenge on Tony. The Members Only jacket guy had the same skin tone and hair color as Eugene, which means he could have shot and killed Tony in Holsten's.

The Sopranos TV Show poster
The Sopranos
TV-MA
Drama
Crime

New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano deals with personal and professional issues in his home and business life that affect his mental state, leading him to seek professional psychiatric counseling.

Release Date
January 10, 1999
Creator
David Chase
Cast
James Gandolfini , Lorraine Bracco , Edie Falco , Jamie-Lynn Sigler , Robert Iler , Drea De Matteo
Seasons
6
Number of Episodes
86