Posted on: Saturday, March 27, 2004

'Sopranos' star enjoying Hawai'i

By Tanya Bricking Leach
Advertiser Staff Writer

During his first visit to Hawai'i, Dominic Chianese ("Uncle Junior" on the HBO hit series "The Sopranos") will hobnob with local politicians in an invitation-only event tonight at Pier 19.

Guests will get a sneak preview of tomorrow's episode (the fourth show of Season 5) with the mob family's Corrado "Uncle Junior" Soprano, whose deteriorating health is part of the plot this season.

Chianese is not as cranky as his character. At 73, he's a newlywed again, enjoying vacationing here with wife Jane Pittson, whom he wed last year. (They've already toured the North Shore and hung out with Don Ho.)

In an interview with The Advertiser, Chianese gets philosophical about life, family and the aloha spirit. Look for the story Thursday in the Island Life section and hear excerpts of the interview, including Chianese playing guitar and singing, in Thursday's online edition at www.honoluluadvertiser.com.