Sopranos actor Robert Iler reveals drink and ‘hardcore drug’ addiction in wake of series

Actor, who portrayed Tony Soprano’s son AJ, said he made money from gambling after series ended in 2007

The Sopranos actor Robert Iler, who portrayed Tony Soprano’s son AJ, has revealed that he became addicted to alcohol, “hardcore drugs” and Xanax in the wake of the acclaimed series.

Iler has largely stayed out of the public eye since the end of the mob drama in 2007, having played AJ from the age of 13 until he was 22.

Speaking on the Talking Sopranos podcast, which is hosted by his former co-stars Michael Imperioli and Steve Schirripa, Iler said that he withdrew from acting following the series and instead made money from gambling.

“I was drinking a lot back in the day, so I would make money playing poker and then I would lose it betting on sports or roulette,” he explained.

He said that he stopped professionally gambling, however, once he realised the lifestyle was damaging his health. He has now been sober for seven years.

“I have not been drunk in over seven years and hardcore drugs is also seven years,” he said. “But I was taking Xanax every day and it took me a long time to get off Xanax. I had to go see a specialist, so that has been five years.”

Iler also revealed that he has barely seen The Sopranos, as he finds it “torture” to watch Tony Soprano actor James Gandolfini, who died in 2013.

“He met me when I was 12 … and [he] was very [like a] father figure,” Iler explained. “He always told me if you ever have any problems, you call Uncle Tony. He came to my confirmation … in a three-piece pinstripe suit, gave me a kiss on the cheek and a card with cash.”

While starring on The Sopranos, Iler appeared in small roles in films Daredevil and Tadpole, but his only post-Sopranos acting credit was in a 2009 episode of Law & Order.

He is currently planning to launch a podcast with his Sopranos co-star Jamie-Lynn Sigler, who played his on-screen sister Meadow.

If you have been affected by this article, you can contact the following organisations for support: nhs.uk/live-well/healthy-body/drug-addiction-getting-help, nhs.uk/live-well/alcohol-support, mind.org.uk, mentalhealth.org.uk, samaritans.org