Steven Van Zandt recalls landing 'The Sopranos' lead before James Gandolfini: 'Wiser heads prevailed'
Steven Van Zandt's acting debut almost looked very different. The rocker, now 70, is known for playing Silvio Dante in "The Sopranos," which was his first time on screen, save for a blink-and-you'll-miss-it cameo in 1985's "American Flyers." The star appeared in 79 of the show's 86 episodes, but fans nearly saw him playing an entirely different role: Tony Soprano, the lead.