The Sopranos a spec script for the series "Mad Men" in 2000. The script was passed on to Chase who was so impressed that he immediately offered Weiner a job as a writer for "The Sopranos". Cast members Michael Imperioli and Toni Kalem portray Christopher Moltisanti and Angie Bonpensiero respectively, and they also wrote episodes for the show. Imperioli wrote five episodes of seasons two through five, and Kalem wrote one episode of season five. Other writers included Frank Renzulli, Todd A. Kessler (co-creator of "Damages"), writing team Diane Frolov and Andrew Schneider (worked with Chase on "Northern Exposure"), and Lawrence Konner,
Tony Soprano at the age of 22, killing a small-time bookie named Willie Overall. In season one, Tony states that he knew real-life Mafia boss John Gotti in the 1980s. (This was a joke played on his golf companions who were mystified by Tony's mafia ties, it is unclear if Tony knew Gotti or not.) Johnny shepherded Tony through his ascendancy until his death in 1986 from emphysema. When he died, Johnny had risen to the level of "capo" of his own crew, as had his older brother, Junior. Junior took over as Tony's mentor and parental figure Salvatore "Big Pussy" Bonpensiero