Paulie Gualtieri

Paulie Gualtieri
The Sopranos character
Tony Sirico as Paulie Gualtieri
First appearance"The Sopranos" (1999)
Last appearanceThe Many Saints of Newark (2021)
Created byDavid Chase
Portrayed byTony Sirico
Billy Magnussen (The Many Saints of Newark)
In-universe information
Full namePeter Paul Gualtieri
Alias
  • Clarence[1]
  • Ted Hughes[2]
  • Mr. Walters
Nickname
  • Paulie Walnuts
Title
OccupationFormer waste management executive of Barone Sanitation
"Professional Investor" as listed on his tax forms
Family
  • Nucci Gualtieri (adoptive mother, biological aunt)
  • Gerry Gualtieri (adoptive brother, biological cousin)
  • Rose Gualtieri (adoptive sister, biological cousin)
Relatives
  • Dottie (biological mother, "aunt")
  • Marianucci "Nucci" Gualtieri (aunt)
  • Paulie Germani (adoptive nephew, biological cousin once-removed)
  • Mary Gualtieri (aunt)
NationalityItalian-American

Peter Paul "Paulie Walnuts" Gualtieri is a fictional character portrayed by Tony Sirico on the HBO series The Sopranos, one of the chief henchmen of series protagonist Tony Soprano. Sirico auditioned for the role of Uncle Junior with Frank Vincent, but Dominic Chianese landed the role. David Chase instead offered him the role of Paulie Gualtieri and Sirico agreed under the condition that his character would not "become a rat".[3][4] Paulie begins the series as a soldier, later becoming a captain in the DiMeo crime family.[5] He is violent, impulsive, quick-witted, sarcastic and paranoid. Billy Magnussen portrays a young Paulie Gualtieri in the 2021 prequel film, The Many Saints of Newark. Paulie Walnuts is one of the most prominent characters in The Sopranos, and one of the viewers' favorites.[6] Sirico's performance has received acclaim from critics and audiences.[7]

  1. ^ Ep. 1.09 "Boca"
  2. ^ Ep. 2.22 "From Where to Eternity"
  3. ^ "How Tony Sirico's Criminal Past Prepared Him To Play Paulie Walnuts On 'The Sopranos'". Uproxx. Christian Long. 24 August 2015. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  4. ^ "Will Tony Flip? Is Paulie a Rat? 'New York' Staffers Predict the 'Sopranos' Finale, Part II". Vulture. June 8, 2007. Retrieved November 14, 2013.
  5. ^ "HBO: Tony Soprano". HBO. Archived from the original on 2008-07-08. Retrieved 2019-09-25.
  6. ^ "An Ode to 'The Sopranos' Paulie "Walnuts" Gualtieri". Collider. 13 July 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
  7. ^ "How Tony Sirico Made Paulie Walnuts A 'Sopranos' Character to Remember". Rolling Stone. 8 July 2022. Retrieved 13 December 2023.