Actor Steve Schirripa, known for his role in the HBO drama The Sopranos, grew up during the 1960s in a Brooklyn community. He had no theater aspirations when he attended Brooklyn College or when he moved to Las Vegas, where his first job was delivering pizzas. In fact, he didn’t start thinking about an acting career until he was in his 40s. Tune in for the fascinating journey from growing up on welfare to being a successful actor now on CBS’ Blue Bloods.

Steve’s story showcases how opportunities flow from one to the next. The pizza delivery guy couldn’t have imagined that one day he’d be meeting celebrities, first as a nightclub bouncer, then as a hotel executive running Las Vegas showrooms for performers and comedians.

The shift into acting started because a comedian pal invited him to LA to say a few lines in a show. Now in his 40s, Steve kept at it because he found the experience fun, but he didn’t have the epiphany that he enjoyed acting and wanted to pursue it until he had a small part in a movie.

Encouraged by his wife to take a chance, Steve leaped to try something that made him happy. He never expected to be cast in an award-winning show so early in his new career. Nor did Steve anticipate the number of times he had to front his own way. You’ll hear how hustling and working hard at the things he loved helped Steve open doors and shape his career.