Sonny Corinthos Connie Corleone, which is alluded to in Kate Howard's real name, Connie Falconeri. Similarities have also been noted between Sonny and Tony Soprano from "The Sopranos" and the characters that surround them both. Vincent Pastore, who portrayed Big Pussy Bonpensiero on "The Sopranos", came on the show to portray Maximus Giambetti, father of Sonny's bodyguards Milo Giambetti and Max Giambetti. Benard has described Sonny as "unpredictable," and stated that: "You never know from one second to the next what he is thinking, feeling or planning. He's a man in personal conflict who maintains an outward appearance of calm at all
The Sopranos to receive a nomination for the award. After being nominated for and losing the award in 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2003 (losing the first time to "The Practice" and the last three to "The West Wing"), "The Sopranos" won the award in 2004, and again in 2007. Its 2004 win made "The Sopranos" the first series on a cable network to win the award, while its 2007 win made the show the first drama series since "Upstairs, Downstairs" in 1977 to win the award after it had finished airing. The show earned 21 nominations for Outstanding Writing for a Drama