James Gandolfini: "People Confuse Me With Tony Soprano"  4/4/07

The Sopranos star James Gandolfini knew the show was going to be a hit when people became too scared to talk to him.

The show follows the exploits of Tony Soprano as he juggles family life with his career as a mafia boss - and lead actor Gandolfini knew straight away the series would be a hit when people began to confuse him with his TV alter ego.

Just after the show began airing in 1999, Gandolfini went to answer the door at his New York home.

He recalls, "So I opened the door and the guy just turns white.

"All of a sudden I realize, 'Oh ... he thinks I'm Tony.'"