Steven Van Zandt

Steven Van Zandt plays Silvio Dante in The Sopranos. Silvio often looks as though he is considering whether a conversation deserves the effort of an answer. Van Zandt's expressions and dry timing make him a distinctive part of Tony's circle without requiring him to dominate every scene.

Away from acting, Van Zandt is a guitarist and longtime member of Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. He went on to lead Lilyhammer as Frank Tagliano, taking another criminal character into a very different setting. Silvio remains the more restrained performance, and I like how much of his presence comes from listening, watching and finally delivering a line as though it should have been obvious all along.