Jamie-Lynn Sigler Recalls ‘Feeling Terrible’ After Sharing Story About James Gandolfini on “The Tonight Show” 25 Years Ago

Tereza ShkurtajSat, May 30, 2026 at 9:58 AM UTC

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Jamie-Lynn Sigler; James Gandolfini.
Credit: Mike Coppola/Getty; Stephen Lovekin/Getty -

Jamie-Lynn Sigler is opening up about a regret from her career in her new memoir, And So It Is… A Memoir of Acceptance and Hope

The Sopranos star shared a personal story about late costar James Gandolfini during a late-night interview and instantly regretted it

Sigler said the moment left her feeling guilty for years afterward

Best known for portraying Meadow Soprano on HBO's The Sopranos, Jamie-Lynn Sigler is revisiting one of the moments from her career she wishes she could take back.

In her new memoir, And So It Is… A Memoir of Acceptance and Hope, the actress reflected on a 2001 appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno that left her feeling guilty over sharing a personal story about her late on-screen father, James Gandolfini. Looking back, Sigler admitted she immediately regretted revealing the behind-the-scenes anecdote.

“I loved and respected him. The last thing I wanted to do was make a joke at his expense. As soon as the words came out of my mouth, I wanted to take them back,” Sigler wrote.

Jamie-Lynn Sigler and James Gandolfini in 'The Sopranos.'
Credit: Courtesy of HBO

Reflecting on that time, the 45-year-old actress revealed that she felt caught off guard while preparing for the late-night interview after producers repeatedly encouraged her to share a funny memory from her years on The Sopranos.

“I drew a blank,” she admitted. “It really wasn't that kind of blooper-­reel set. I didn't yet realize that no matter what the reality is, part of your job as an actor is to collect stories to have in your back pocket for moments just like this.”

According to Sigler, the producer “kept pushing,” especially when it came to Gandolfini and what it was like working alongside him. Wanting to offer something entertaining for the segment, she recalled one of his acting habits while preparing for scenes.

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“In my naivety, I shared the only thing that came to mind: that sometimes, to prepare for a scene, Jim would make these funny animal noises —­ squeals and grunts to get out of his head and into his body to prepare himself to go deep into Tony's mind,” she recalled. “I admired this and didn't think it was a big deal.”

James Gandolfini and Jamie Lynn Sigler 'The Sopranos.'
Credit: Barry Wetcher/Hbo/Kobal/Shutterstock

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Though the anecdote was well received backstage, Sigler later viewed the moment differently, describing it as “a transgression” and “a betrayal of Jim's trust.” She also wrote that she left the interview “feeling terrible — terrible for Jim and angry at myself.”

However, despite her lingering guilt, Sigler said she and Gandolfini never spoke about the anecdote before his death in June 2013, and HBO's publicity team never mentioned it either.

Sigler's memoir, And So It Is… A Memoir of Acceptance and Hope, came out in May 2026.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”