Michael Imperioli earned his place in television history as Christopher Moltisanti on HBO’s The Sopranos. Born March 26, 1966, in Mount Vernon, New York, he’s now 59 years old and still actively working across multiple creative fields. This Emmy-winning actor has built a 35-year career in film, television, theater, music, and writing.
His estimated net worth sits around $20 million as of 2025. He stands 5’7½” tall and has been married to designer Victoria Imperioli since 1996. Together they’ve raised three children while both pursuing successful creative careers in New York City.
Quick Facts
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Michael Imperioli |
| Date of Birth | March 26, 1966 |
| Age | 59 years (as of November 2025) |
| Birthplace | Mount Vernon, New York, USA |
| Height | 5’7½” (1.71 m) |
| Net Worth | Approximately $20 million (2025) |
| Spouse | Victoria Imperioli (m. 1996) |
| Children | 3 (Isabella, Vadim, David) |
| Famous Role | Christopher Moltisanti in The Sopranos |
| Awards | Emmy Award (2004), 3 SAG Awards |
| Other Work | Writer, Director, Musician (Zopa), Buddhist Teacher |
| Current Residence | Upper West Side, Manhattan, New York |
Early Life and Education
Michael Imperioli grew up in a working-class Italian-American family in Mount Vernon, New York. His father, Dominic Ralph Imperioli, worked as a bus driver and amateur actor. His mother, Claire Linda Luzzi, worked in a department store while performing in community theater.
At age 11, the family relocated to Brewster, New York, a small town about 60 miles north of Manhattan. Young Michael started attending Broadway plays during this period. He graduated from Brewster High School in 1983 with plans to study pre-med at SUNY Albany.
The night before college started, he told his parents he wanted to become an actor instead. At 17, he moved to Manhattan’s East Village and enrolled at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute. There he met John Ventimiglia, who would later play Artie Bucco on The Sopranos, and the two became roommates in the vibrant 1980s downtown arts scene.
Film Career Journey
Imperioli’s breakthrough came in 1990 when Martin Scorsese cast him as Spider in Goodfellas. His character gets shot in the foot by Joe Pesci’s volatile Tommy DeVito in one of the film’s most memorable scenes. This role opened doors in the New York independent film community.
He became a regular collaborator with director Spike Lee throughout the 1990s. He appeared in Jungle Fever (1991), Malcolm X (1992), Clockers (1995), and Girl 6 (1996). His biggest collaboration came with Summer of Sam (1999), which he co-wrote and executive produced alongside Spike Lee.
Imperioli worked relentlessly in independent cinema during this decade, appearing in over 30 films before The Sopranos premiered. He played roles in Bad Boys (1995) with Will Smith, The Basketball Diaries (1995) alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, and Abel Ferrara’s art-house vampire film The Addiction (1995). His range extended from major studio productions to experimental downtown projects.
The Sopranos Legacy
Landing the role of Christopher Moltisanti in 1999 transformed Imperioli’s career completely. He portrayed Tony Soprano’s nephew and protégé for eight seasons until 2007. The character’s struggle with addiction, ambition, and loyalty created one of television’s most complex performances.
“He managed to find the intensity and the reality in every moment,” Imperioli said of working with James Gandolfini, according to his Talking Sopranos podcast. This collaborative chemistry produced some of the series’ most powerful scenes. Imperioli deliberately included a callback to his Goodfellas role when Christopher shoots someone in the foot.
Beyond acting, he wrote five episodes of the series. He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2004. His dual role as actor and writer gave him unique perspective on Christopher’s tragic arc, which he explored further when narrating The Many Saints of Newark (2021) as the adult Christopher speaking from beyond the grave.
Awards and Recognition
Imperioli won his Emmy Award in 2004 for episodes “Irregular Around the Margins” and “Long Term Parking” from The Sopranos. He received five total Emmy nominations for the role between 2001 and 2007. Each nomination recognized specific episodes that showcased his dramatic range.
He earned two Golden Globe nominations for Best Supporting Actor in 2002 and 2004. The Screen Actors Guild honored him three times with Outstanding Ensemble awards for The Sopranos. His White Lotus performance earned another ensemble SAG Award in 2022.
His role as Dominic Di Grasso in The White Lotus brought another Emmy nomination in 2023. He also received a SAG nomination for the ensemble cast of One Night in Miami (2020), where he portrayed boxing trainer Angelo Dundee. These recent recognitions prove his continued relevance in prestige television.
Television Work Timeline
Before The Sopranos, Imperioli appeared in NYPD Blue (1994) and Law & Order (1996). He returned to Law & Order as Detective Nick Falco during seasons 15 and 16 (2005-2006). These early roles built his foundation in New York-based crime dramas.
After the series ended, he worked steadily across network and cable television. He starred as Detective Louis Fitch in Detroit 1-8-7 (2010-2011) on ABC. He joined the cast of Life on Mars (2008-2009), the American remake of the British time-travel cop drama.
Guest appearances showcased his range beyond crime dramas. He played the angel Uriel in Lucifer (2016-2017), appeared in The Office (2013) as Sensei Billy, and had recurring roles in Hawaii Five-0 and Blue Bloods. His voice work includes Shark Tale (2004), the animated series Kite Man: Hell Yeah! (2024), and American Dad! (2024), where he voiced Roger’s father.
Broadway and Theater
Imperioli made his Broadway debut at age 58 in March 2024. He starred as Mayor Peter Stockmann in Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People at the Circle in the Square Theatre. The production, directed by Sam Gold, featured Jeremy Strong and Victoria Pedretti.
During one performance, climate protesters interrupted the show to highlight the play’s environmental themes. “I wasn’t sure if the director kind of planted them there,” Imperioli told The New Yorker. He handled the disruption professionally, demonstrating his comfort with live theater’s unpredictable nature.
His theatrical work began decades earlier with Studio Dante, an Off-Broadway theater he founded with wife Victoria in 2004. She transformed an unfinished commercial space into the venue where she designed all productions. In 2007, he performed in the play “Chicken” as the character Floyd.
Read Also: Steven Van Zandt Net Worth, Wife, Height, Age, Career and Biography
Music and Zopa
Imperioli first pursued music in the early 1990s as lead vocalist for Wild Carnation, a New Jersey jangle pop band. He left before their debut recordings in 1993 to focus on acting. This early sacrifice shows the difficult choices he made building his acting reputation.
He returned to music in 2006 by forming Zopa, where he serves as guitarist and vocalist. The band released their debut album La Dolce Vita in 2020 and headlined the Freakout Festival in Seattle in 2021. Victoria Imperioli has directed their music videos since 2021.
His musical influences include The Smiths, My Bloody Valentine, Lou Reed, David Bowie, Patti Smith, and Nirvana. He discovered The Smiths at 17 after moving to Manhattan, where friends exposed him to the downtown punk and alternative rock aesthetic. He saw The Smiths perform on The Queen is Dead tour in 1986 at Pier 86 in New York.
Writing and Literature
Imperioli authored the novel The Perfume Burned His Eyes in 2015, a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age story. The book features Lou Reed as a character, based on Imperioli’s friendship with the musician during the last decade of Reed’s life. He began writing it months after Reed died in 2013.
“When he died, it hit me as a fan and as a friend. As a New Yorker it was really the end of something for me,” Imperioli told The Guardian. The novel received critical acclaim for authentically capturing 1970s Manhattan. He’s currently working on a second novel.
His screenwriting credits extend beyond The Sopranos episodes to co-writing Summer of Sam with Spike Lee. He made his directorial debut with The Hungry Ghosts (2008), which he also wrote, while Victoria produced and designed the sets. The film earned a Tiger Award nomination at the International Film Festival Rotterdam in 2009.
Buddhism and Meditation
Imperioli became a practicing Buddhist in 2008, taking formal vows with his wife Victoria. The spiritual journey began in 2007 during The Sopranos’ final season when he felt something lacking despite career success. He explored various spiritual practices before finding a Buddhist teacher in New York.
He now teaches meditation through Zoom webinars that began during the COVID-19 pandemic. He started posting about Buddhism on Instagram and received frequent questions about meditation techniques. Rather than responding individually, he created video classes that evolved into regular sessions.
His commitment to Tibetan Buddhism extends to philanthropy. He won Chopped’s Tournament of Stars in 2014 and donated $50,000 to the Pureland Project, which builds schools in rural Tibet. He also supports the Jazz Foundation of America, co-hosting their May 2009 benefit concert “A Great Night in Harlem” at the Apollo Theater.
Marriage and Family
Michael met Victoria Chlebowski in the 1990s in Manhattan’s Chelsea neighborhood where she owned a bar called Ciel Rouge according to People Magazine. They married in 1996 and have been together for nearly 29 years. Victoria is an accomplished interior designer, director, producer, and former bar owner.
They share three children: Isabella (born 1990, Victoria’s daughter from a previous relationship), Vadim (born 1997), and David (born 2001). The family maintains homes on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. The entire Imperioli family practices Tae Kwon Do, which Michael began in 2003.
As empty nesters, they’ve embraced this new phase openly. Their creative collaboration spans decades, from Studio Dante theater productions to Zopa music videos. Victoria brings design expertise to every project including their latest business venture together.
Business Ventures and Philanthropy
The Imperiolis opened Scarlet, a bar and restaurant on Manhattan’s Upper West Side, in December 2023. They partnered with restaurateur Jeremy Wladis, known for Good Enough to Eat and Harvest Kitchen. Victoria designed the space with a “French wartime” aesthetic using signature red hues.
The establishment serves a cocktail called “the White Lotus” honoring Michael’s recent career success. This venture represents a return to the bar business for Victoria, who owned Ciel Rouge in the 1990s. They’ve successfully combined their creative vision with hospitality expertise.
His charitable work aligns with his Buddhist practice. Beyond the Pureland Project donation for Tibetan schools, he participated in readings of “The Way of the Cross” at the Queens Museum of Art in 2011 with writer Gabriele Tinti. He remains committed to supporting struggling artists and preserving cultural heritage.
Current Projects
Imperioli continues working across multiple platforms in 2025. His film Song Sung Blue was recently released, and he has two projects in post-production: Between Wars and The Housewife. His voice work continues with appearances in Krapopolis and The Dark Money Game animated series.
His Talking Sopranos podcast with Steve Schirripa remains popular, having reached over five million downloads by September 2020. The podcast led to their book Woke Up This Morning: The Definitive Oral History of The Sopranos (2021). He also narrated Marvel’s Wastelanders: Black Widow podcast series in 2022.
Zopa continues performing live shows, and he teaches meditation classes regularly. At 59, he balances film and television work with music, writing, spiritual teaching, and running Scarlet with Victoria. This reflects his longstanding refusal to compartmentalize his creative interests.
Conclusion
Michael Imperioli represents a rare model of sustained artistic evolution across four decades. From his Goodfellas breakthrough through his Emmy-winning Sopranos performance to his White Lotus resurgence and Broadway debut, he’s consistently chosen roles that challenge audiences. His work with directors like Martin Scorsese, Spike Lee, and Paul Schrader demonstrates commitment to serious filmmaking.
His influence extends beyond acting into writing novels, screenwriting, directing, music performance, and Buddhist teaching. His 29-year marriage to Victoria shows personal stability rare in entertainment. At 59 with an estimated net worth of $20 million, he continues creating across disciplines while teaching meditation and performing with Zopa.
Read Also: Rex Linn Net Worth, Wife, Height, Age, Career and Biography
FAQ About Michael Imperioli
How old is Michael Imperioli in 2025?
He is 59 years old, born on March 26, 1966, in Mount Vernon, New York.
What is Michael Imperioli’s net worth?
According to Celebrity Net Worth his estimated net worth is approximately $20 million as of 2025.
How tall is Michael Imperioli?
He stands 5’7½” (1.71 m) tall.
Who is Michael Imperioli’s wife?
He’s been married to Victoria Imperioli (née Chlebowski) since 1996.
How many children does Michael Imperioli have?
He has three children: Isabella, Vadim, and David.
Did Michael Imperioli win an Emmy for The Sopranos?
Yes, he won the Primetime Emmy Award in 2004 for playing Christopher Moltisanti.
What band is Michael Imperioli in?
He’s the guitarist and vocalist for Zopa, formed in 2006.
Is Michael Imperioli a Buddhist?
Yes, he and Victoria took formal Buddhist vows in 2008 and he teaches meditation classes.
What movies did Michael Imperioli appear in with Spike Lee?
He worked on six Spike Lee films including Jungle Fever, Malcolm X, Clockers, and Summer of Sam.
What is Michael Imperioli doing now in 2025?
He continues acting, teaching meditation, performing with Zopa, and running Scarlet bar in Manhattan.
Hello, I’m Serena Flores, a passionate writer with over 4 years of experience in lifestyle, biography, and internet culture content. I specialize in creating engaging, easy-to-read articles that simplify modern trends, slang, and real-life stories for every reader. My goal is to make complex topics relatable, offering well-researched insights and fresh perspectives that keep readers informed, inspired, and connected.