John “Cha Cha” Ciarcia, who played mobster Albie Cianflone on HBO’s The Sopranos, has died. He was 75. His family said that Ciarcia died November 21 at NYU Langone Medical Center following a brief illness.
Ciarcia also was a producer, celebrity manager, boxing promoter (for Tony Danza and others), radio host and owner of Little Italy’s popular Cha Cha’s In Bocca Al Lupo Cafe in NYC — known as “The Mayor of Little Italy.” But he is perhaps best known for his role as tough-guy Albie Cianflone, part of Phil Leotardo’s crew on The Sopranos. He joined the cast of the HBO mob drama in its sixth season.
Ciarcia also co-hosted Sirius Satellite Radio’s The Wise Guys Show.
