Robert Patrick, the actor famed for his role in Terminator 2, has broken his silence on a long-standing fan theory surrounding the explosive finale of the iconic HBO series, The Sopranos. Patrick, who portrayed the ill-fated gambler Davey Scatino, has addressed speculation that his character was responsible for the off-screen death of mob boss Tony Soprano.
The Enduring Mystery of Holsten's Diner
The series concluded in 2007 with one of television's most debated scenes. In the final moments, Tony Soprano, played by the late James Gandolfini, sits in a New Jersey diner with his wife Carmela (Edie Falco) and son A.J. (Robert Iler). As daughter Meadow (Jamie-Lynn Sigler) struggles to park, several patrons enter the establishment. Tony looks up, the scene holds, and then the screen abruptly cuts to black.
This ambiguous ending sparked countless theories, with a prominent one suggesting Tony was assassinated in the restaurant. Sharp-eyed fans noted that one man in the diner bore a resemblance to Davey Scatino, a childhood friend whose life Tony destroyed in season two by exploiting his gambling addiction.
Robert Patrick's Surprising Reaction
In a recent interview with TV Insider, Patrick revealed he was completely unaware of the theory that his character was Tony's potential killer. "I was never contacted about it," the actor stated. "I don't know. Was there a guy that might have looked like me, or people thought that it was me? … It's interesting. Yeah, I wonder. I don't know."
He emphasised that the ultimate truth lies solely with the show's creator, David Chase. "David Chase is the only one that knows," Patrick affirmed. Despite the mystery, he expressed gratitude for the lasting impact of his three-episode arc. "I feel blessed that people would really still be thinking about my character at the end. But boy, what a great experience," he added.
David Chase's Stance on the Finale
While Chase has never explicitly confirmed Tony's fate, he has offered several clues over the years. In 2021, he told The Hollywood Reporter that he was bothered by "how many people wanted to see Tony killed." He later clarified to TV Insider in 2024 that his intention was to imply Tony "could die in that diner, not that he did die."
Chase has also framed the ending in a philosophical light, suggesting he was contemplating the relentless continuation of the universe, regardless of any single character's story. This artistic ambiguity has ensured that the debate over the finale continues nearly two decades after it first aired.
Patrick's response adds a new layer to the enduring conversation, confirming that if Davey Scatino was indeed the executioner, the actor himself was kept entirely in the dark.
