By Madison Russ
A new book by a local author offers fans of “The Sopranos” a taste of something unique—eight mouthwatering recipes paired with eight behind-the-scenes stories from HBO’s legendary mob drama.
“Homemade,” co-authored by “The Sopranos” actor Robert Funaro, Brigantine native James C. McCusker and Funaro’s business manager, Andrew Jedlicka, serves up fans a flavorful mix of Funaro’s favorite family recipes and tales of his time on the show.
The book also highlights Funaro’s longtime friendship with series lead James Gandolfini, who played Tony Soprano.
McCusker, who has written and published mafia novels set in Atlantic City, such as “The Edge” and “Atlantic City Nights,” was in his element teaming up with the on-screen wiseguy.
“It’s really Robert’s story. A lot of it encompasses his background and time on the show, and I was there to kind of put in my two cents where needed,” said McCusker.
A New York native, Funaro has also appeared in films such as “The Irishman” and “American Gangster” and shows like “Ray Donovan” and “Law & Order.” His friendship with Gandolfini began decades ago when they both starred in a three-month European tour of “A Streetcar Named Desire.”
Their time together on stage would eventually lead to Funaro being cast on “The Sopranos” as the character Eugene Pontecorvo.
McCusker said Funaro’s passion for cooking was also a surprise, noting that Funaro wanted to put something together that highlighted the recipes that were “near and dear” to him.
“A lot of those folks in the book that have these recipes, like his mom or grandmom, are gone,” he said. “Being Italian, a lot of recipes are scribbled down on Post-it notes and hard to read. So, he wanted to put something together that was easy to read for people and pass on this legacy he’s really proud of. Being Italian, food is everything.”
McCusker explained that each chapter explores an episode of the show, with Funaro sharing insider details on how he prepared for scenes and anecdotes from his time on set. The chapters conclude with one of Funaro’s family recipes, such as his Jersey blue claw crab sauce with thin linguine and his sister Anne’s recipe for broccoli with rigatoni pasta.
McCusker, who describes himself as a “superfan” of the show, guided some of the episode selections for the book.
Funaro’s reflections on rewatching episodes with his friend Gandolfini, who died in 2013, and his immense talent are poignant. He writes in the book, “Watching my friend James Gandolfini’s genius acting proved extremely difficult. It saddens me to think of the significant loss to his family and all those who knew him. The world genuinely suffered by his passing.”
McCusker said working with Funaro was like “a dream come true.”
“It put me on cloud nine. He made me feel like another cast member being so transparent, and we got so close, and I really felt a part of the show. And the way he described it made me feel like I was there,” said McCusker. “It was a dream come true for a guy like me who idolized the show when I was 13, 14 years old. To be sitting with the guy, 24 years later, was pretty surreal.”
As for the recipes, McCusker said they aim to be approachable and affordable, and Funaro’s stories will appeal to all kinds of readers, not necessarily die-hard fans of the show.
“If they are, great—they’ll eat this up,” he said, noting the book will appeal to small, young families looking to cook on a budget.
“I’d say the perfect reader is anyone who is looking to cook and enjoy good food, really,” he said.
“Homemade” is now available on Amazon in both print and Kindle formats. Local restaurant Chico & Sons in Northfield will host a book signing on Saturday, Apr. 26, from 12-2 p.m.
Madison Russ is an award-winning journalist, copy editor and adjunct professor of communication based in Atlantic County. An Ocean City native, Madison is passionate about telling stories that matter to locals, often spotlighting nonprofits and exploring the area’s vibrant arts scene.
