David Chase

After spending two decades trying to find his footing on the small screen, writer-director-producer David Chase finally grabbed hold of the brass ring when he created the highly-acclaimed and award-winning series, "The Sopranos" (HBO, 1998-2007). An unusually gritty soap opera centering on the professional and personal travails of New Jersey mob boss, Tony Soprano, the series became an instant hit on its way to becoming one of the most decorated and successful cable series of all time. Prior to "The Sopranos," Chase forged his path as a writer and producer on the classic series, "The Rockford Files" (NBC, 1974-1980), and later earned acclaim for his small screen movie "Off the Minnesota Strip" (ABC, 1980). Chase struggled throughout the 1980s with failed pilots and forgettable TV movies, while earning critical plaudits - but not eyeballs - for his civil rights drama "I'll Fly Away" (NBC, 1991-93). After guiding "Northern Exposure" (CBS, 1990-95) during its tumultuous last two seasons, he was rejected by every network for "The Sopranos" before HBO swooped in and developed the show, which earned seemingly countless Emmys and Golden Globes for Chase and the cast. Following the series' controversial and much-talked about finale, Chase disappeared for a few years before re-emerging with his hailed feature debut, "Not Fade Away" (2012), which allowed him to begin the process of burying Tony Soprano for good.