## 20 Years Ago, The Sopranos Replaced Tony As Main Character (And It Didn't Go Well) There may be no more iconic or beloved character in television history than The Sopranos' legendary Tony Soprano. James Gandolfini's performance as the New Jersey mob boss helped redefine what a television protagonist could be, turning a violent, deeply flawed criminal into one of the most complicated and compelling characters of all time. The Sopranos became a cultural phenomenon in large part because of Gandolfini's role, and throughout the show's six-season run, his layered performance earned widespread…