Why Steve Schirripa, Formerly of Blue Bloods, Enjoys Making Hallmark Movies
Steve Schirripa is widely recognized for his roles in intense crime dramas, but occasionally, he unwinds in the same fashion as Us: by enjoying a Hallmark movie.
The Blue Bloods veteran, 67, is thrilled to make his Hallmark Channel debut in Sisterhood, Inc., which is set to premiere on Saturday, February 22.
“I never had the opportunity to do a Hallmark movie,” Schirripa shared exclusively with Us Weekly while talking about his collaboration with Freshpet. “Surprisingly, it was a bucket list item. How many guys can transition from The Sopranos to Hallmark? But I took the leap and was really pleased; I had a fantastic time.”
The actor, known for portraying Detective Anthony Abetemarco on Blue Bloods and Bobby Baccala on The Sopranos, expressed that the wholesome atmosphere of Hallmark was a refreshing change after years of working on darker projects.
“I genuinely enjoyed myself and hope to do more,” he revealed. “It was a lovely experience — no conflicts, no violence, nothing. Even on Blue Bloods, which I loved, I must have taken out four or five people. I’ve dispatched more people as a cop than as a mobster.”
Schirripa acknowledged that he’s “seen my fair share” of Hallmark films. “It’s just a pleasant ambiance,” he added. “Sometimes you’re not feeling great, and you prefer not to watch something heavy. If I’m in the mood for negativity, I tune into the news. Sometimes, you just want to see something uplifting.”
Fans of Schirripa know he has a soft side, despite his tough-guy roles, often sharing photos on social media with his dachshund, Willie (who even has his own Instagram account).
“We bring joy to people, and that’s what I love,” he told Us. “He makes me happy. He’s like our child. We have two adult daughters who have moved out. Our kids think we’re a bit eccentric. I tell them, ‘Willie’s your brother. Be kind to him.’”
Schirripa’s collaboration with Freshpet materialized after he had been feeding Willie the natural dog food for two years. When the brand reached out to him about appearing in a commercial, he was quick to agree — though Willie’s fans noted his absence in the ad.
“Willie was on set and gave his nod of approval. We had professional dogs,” Schirripa explained. “He opted to sit this one out. But he did make his TV debut on Blue Bloods. He appeared in an episode this past season, so that was good. … He left [the ad] to the seasoned pros, if you get my drift.”
The commercial also provided Schirripa a twist, as he got to portray the mob boss for a change instead of the loyal underboss.
“My character on The Sopranos was this soft-hearted, sensitive guy, and here I was playing a tough guy,” he shared with Us. “And it’s amusing; I received a text from David Chase, the creator of The Sopranos, who remarked, ‘I didn’t realize you could play a tough guy,’ which was quite a compliment.”
Schirripa and Willie’s next joint venture will take place in May when they host Sopranos Night with the Somerset Patriots of Minor League Baseball — 1,000 lucky attendees will receive a Schirripa bobblehead featuring Willie as well.
As Schirripa aptly stated: “That’s a collector’s item!”
Sisterhood, Inc. is set to premiere on the Hallmark Channel on Saturday, February 22, at 8 p.m. ET.
