Tony Soprano Similar testimonials were included by his co-stars and colleagues; Bryan Cranston stated that his "Breaking Bad" character, Walter White, would not have existed without Tony Soprano. Tony Soprano quickly became a pop culture icon during the show’s run. In an article for the "Los Angeles Times", Chris Lee referred to Tony Soprano as a “cultural sensation” who became the “unlikeliest of sex symbols.” On the importance of Gandolfini’s performance, Lee stated: “He forever rejiggered television's fascination with morally challenged antiheroes and less-than-physically-perfect protagonists.” Mark Lawson of "The Guardian" praised Gandolfini for his “towering central performance” as Tony Soprano, writing: “The
The Sopranos Sopranos" in their 2016 book titled "TV (The Book)" as the 2nd greatest American television series of all time, behind only "The Simpsons" and ahead of "The Wire", with Seitz considering the show's ending to be the greatest ending for any television show. In November and December 2009, a large number of television critics named "The Sopranos" the best series of the decade and all time in articles summarizing the decade in television. In numbered lists over the best television programs, "The Sopranos" frequently ranked first or second, almost always competing with "The Wire". In 2013, "TV Guide" ranked "The