Anthony LaPaglia reveals memoir of almost-careers and Hollywood close calls
His memoir details how he turned down iconic roles like Tony Soprano and Django Unchained, becoming professionally adrift.
Anthony LaPaglia's memoir, The Life We Choose, opens up about missed Hollywood opportunities. The Australian actor appeared in Without a Trace and Lantana.
In 1996, David Chase asked him to play Tony Soprano in The Sopranos pilot. LaPaglia loved the script.
He had already agreed to perform in A View from the Bridge on Broadway instead. HBO picked up The Sopranos days after he declined.
James Gandolfini took the role. Fifteen years later, in 2011, LaPaglia turned down Django Unchained.
He had already agreed to make Underground. It was an indie TV film directed by his friend Rob Connolly.
Django made US$450 million worldwide. Underground barely found an audience.
LaPaglia calls it "classic LaPaglia self-sabotage". The memoir also covers his childhood trauma in Adelaide.
It discusses his drug use in the 1990s. It describes Hollywood encounters with Kelsey Grammer and Quentin Tarantino.
- 1996
- Tony Soprano offer
- US$450 million worldwide
- Django Unchained box office
- 2011
- Django decision year
- Adelaide
- Childhood location
Why it mattersLaPaglia's career choices show how loyalty and timing can reshape even talented lives. They offer a cautionary tale about decision-making in entertainment.
AustraliaAdelaide-born Anthony LaPaglia's memoir details his rise from Adelaide to Hollywood and the Australian connections, including director Rob Connolly, that shaped his pivotal choices.
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