THE Sopranos star is showing off his drastic weight loss and has revealed the activities that helped him drop the pounds.
Joe Gannascoli, best known for playing Italian mobster Vito Spatafore in the hit HBO series, has undergone a dramatic physical transformation after losing 150 pounds.
The 67-year-old flaunted his slimmer figure in a new interview with the New York Post, in which he discussed his intense weight loss journey.
In preparation for an upcoming TV project, Joe has been working hard to slim down by adopting a strict exercise and diet regimen.
“I don’t actually like baby carrots,” he joked to the outlet, referencing a scene from the final season of The Sopranos, which showed his character posing for an ad for a weight loss company.
His efforts have paid off, as the actor has gone from weighing 250 pounds to around 210 pounds.
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Joe credits his significantly smaller figure to his dedicated morning routine, which includes playing golf and pickleball.
The professional chef spends most mornings on a Long Island golf course, beginning at 6:00 a.m. before heading to a local pickleball court by 8:00 a.m.
After playing pickup games with friends or fellow pickleball enthusiasts, Joe often goes to the gym, where he continues his exercise regimen.
“I just started hitting every body part, and I’m doing that four times a week,” the TV star revealed.
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“Now I’m doing heavier weights and less reps. …I like to get a good sweat going.”
Meanwhile, Joe is no longer eating the fatty foods his character Vito loved, swapping them for salads and healthier options.
He also said he eats less red meat and has been intermittent fasting, primarily stopping his food intake by 2:00 p.m.
While this wasn’t always a part of his daily routine, the Actor Award nominee has been working to change his unhealthy habits for some time.
Joe began prioritizing his health during his time on The Sopranos, after reaching his heaviest weight of 400 pounds.
The Brooklyn native underwent lap band and hip surgeries, which led the writers to make his weight loss a storyline for his character in Season 6.
However, he struggled afterward to keep the weight off while working as a private chef and a brand ambassador.
Joe believes that his efforts now to improve his diet and have a more active lifestyle are the recipe for his success.
“I feel better and look better than I did back on the show,” the producer told The Post, adding that he also quit gambling, which had become another dangerous habit of his.
“Life has been great,” he gushed. “I’m not a religious person, but God has always looked out for me.”
Joe isn’t done yet with his transformation, as he plans to lose 40 more pounds over the next few months before filming begins on his next on-screen gig, based on his Mafia-themed cookbook, A Meal to Die For.
