An American writer, director, and producer, he is best known for creating one of television's most acclaimed series, "The Sopranos." Born in 1945 in Mount Vernon, New York, he initially pursued a career in film but found success in television, working on shows like "The Rockford Files" and "Northern Exposure." His work on "The Sopranos" earned numerous awards, setting a high bar for TV drama. After the series, he directed the feature film "Not Fade Away" and remained influential in the entertainment industry.