Robert Iler

Robert Iler
Iler in 2019
Born
Robert Michael Iler

(1985-03-02) March 2, 1985 (age 39)
New York City, U.S.
Occupations
  • Actor
  • poker player
  • podcast host
Years active1997–2009, 2019–present

Robert Michael Iler (/ˈaɪlər/; born March 2, 1985)[1][2] is an American former actor. He is best known for his portrayal of A.J. Soprano on The Sopranos. His film roles include Tadpole (2002) and Daredevil (2003).

Career

By mid-1997, he was appearing in commercials for Pizza Hut, and attending three or four auditions a week. He had also appeared on Saturday Night Live and in some film parts, but nothing that brought him great recognition. It was then that he won the role of A.J. Soprano, the son of series lead Tony Soprano, on the HBO drama The Sopranos,[3][4] which aired from 1999 until 2007. By May 2001, he had begun home schooling for his education.[4]

After the conclusion of The Sopranos in 2007, Iler largely retired from acting, instead moving to Las Vegas to pursue a career as a professional poker player.[5]

In July 2023, Iler started a podcast with The Sopranos co-star Jamie-Lynn Sigler called Not Today Pal, produced by the YMH studios owned by comedians Tom Segura and Christina Pazsitzky.[6]

Personal life

Iler struggled with substance abuse, particularly after The Sopranos ended.[7] He has been sober since 2013.[5]

In July 2001, Iler was arrested for the robbery of two teenagers in his Upper East Side neighborhood[8] and for possession of marijuana. He pled guilty to a single charge of larceny and received three years' probation.[9]

He was present on October 23, 2005, when the underground poker club Ace Point was raided by the police; however, no charges were filed against him.[10]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1999 The Tic Code Denny Harley
2002 Tadpole Charlie
2003 Daredevil Bully #1

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1999–2007 The Sopranos A.J. Soprano Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (1999, 2007)
2001 Oz Himself Episode: "Famous Last Words"
Uncredited
2004 Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Troy Linsky Episode: "Mean"
2004 The Dead Zone Derek Rankin Episode: "Cycle of Violence"
2006 Four Kings Rob Cancelled mid-season
2009 Law & Order Chad Klein Episode: "Lucky Stiff"

References

  1. ^ "Robert Iler". The Smoking Gun. June 12, 2014. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  2. ^ "Tony Soprano Jr. Actor Embarrassed By Arrest". ABC News. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved February 18, 2019.
  3. ^ Levin, Gary (March 30, 2007). "Gandolfini, Iler sit down for father-son chat". USA Today. Archived from the original on May 10, 2007.
  4. ^ a b "Cast of 'Sopranos' Discusses Show's Success". CNN. May 18, 2001.
  5. ^ a b "'Sopranos' Star Robert Iler Gives Rare Interview to Talk HBO Series, Personal Struggles". The Hollywood Reporter. May 11, 2020.
  6. ^ Grobar, Matt (June 26, 2023). "Tom Segura Says He's Sold Pilot In Which He Stars To A Streamer, 'Fat Astronauts' Film In Active Development; New Podcast 'Not Today Pal' With Jamie-Lynn Sigler & Rob Iler To Launch Next Month". Deadline. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  7. ^ Robert Iler; Jamie-Lynn Sigler; Kassem G (September 23, 2019). "Pajama Pants - Two and a Half Celebrities" (Podcast). Pajama Pants. Event occurs at 26:55. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  8. ^ Rashbaum, William (July 5, 2002). "Soprano,' 16, Charged in East Side Street Robbery". The New York Times. Retrieved November 22, 2020.
  9. ^ ""Sopranos" Star Busted". The Smoking Gun. August 1, 2001.
  10. ^ Friedman, Michael (October 23, 2005). "Anthony Soprano Jr. Caught in Poker Raid". PokerNews. Retrieved August 14, 2007.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Robert Iler.