Phil Leotardo

Phil Leotardo is a character in the fictional HBO TV series, The Sopranos played by character actor Frank Vincent. He is a captain in the New York crime family led first by Carmine Lupertazzi, and then later by Johnny Sack. As of season six, he may or may not be the acting boss of New York.

Phil is introduced in the beginning of the fifth season of The Sopranos, after he has just completed a twenty-year prison stint. He quickly rejoins the Lupertazzi family, just as its leader, Carmine Lupertazzi, Senior, has a stroke and dies.

Following Carmine Sr.'s death, a power struggle between two factions ensues. One side is led by Carmine's underboss, Johnny Sack, while the other is ostensibly led by Carmine's son "Little Carmine" Lupertazzi, although it is heavily implied that Angelo Garepe and Rusty Milio were the real power behind this factionÞ.

Phil became Johnny's right-hand man during the war, and carried out murders in order to weaken Little Carmine's resolve. In the end, Johnny won out and Little Carmine folded. However, shortly before this, Phil's younger brother, Billy Leotardo, was murderd by Tony Blundetto, and Phil became consumed with rage and bloodlust. He demanded the chance to exact revenge.

Tony Soprano initially protected Blundetto, but when it became clear that his men would not allow themselves to be imperiled for no good reason, he ultimately murdered his own cousin to save his family and give Blundetto a quick and painless death. Soprano did this because at an earlier meeting, Johnny Sack had made it clear that Phil would torture Blundetto if he got his hands on him. After this, Phil was, according to Johnny Sack, 'beside himself' that his opportunity for vengeance was stolen. However, at a meeting between Tony and Johnny, Tony was able to make peace with Johnny. Shortly afterwards, Johnny, the new boss of New York, was arrested by the FBI, while Tony escaped. With Johnny in jail now, it is presumed that Phil Leotardo is the acting boss of New York, and is to some extent ignoring Johnny who is attempting to give orders through his brother-in-law.