TIME Person of the Year: People Who Mattered in 2002, Joe Pantoliano






ANDREW ECCLES FOR TIME

In one of the year's more memorable TV moments, Tony Soprano lost his temper in the kitchen, and fellow made man Ralphie Cifaretto lost his head, which ended up in a bowling ball bag. Ralphie was a fellow of infinite jest but few other redeeming qualities, and Pantoliano played him with a loathsome relish that made him irresistible. He will be missed—but hey, you can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.

— By Lev Grossman





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