David Chase, born David DeCesare, was a drummer and bassist in the 1960s East Coast music scene, dreaming of stardom in a rock band. He spent years honing his skills, playing drums and bass, and even tried to make it big in the music industry.
In his free time, Chase was an avid film enthusiast, watching classic movies like "The Public Enemy" (1931) and "The Untouchables" (1959),as well as foreign films from the 1960s. He was particularly drawn to the works of James Cagney and Robert Stack.
After his music career came to an end, Chase turned his attention to filmmaking, buying a camera and teaching himself the craft. He went on to study at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University and later the graduate film program at Stanford University.
Chase began his career in television, writing for network dramas in the early 1970s. He eventually landed a job as a writer and producer on the classic NBC detective show "The Rockford Files" (1974),working alongside James Garner.
During his time on "Rockford," Chase penned many memorable episodes and scenes, earning his first Emmy Award in 1978 for his work on the show. He went on to win his second Emmy for the acclaimed TV movie "Off the Minnesota Strip" (1980),a sensitive and well-observed story about a young runaway trying to make sense of her life.
The 1980s and early 1990s saw Chase writing various TV scripts, while also working on feature film projects that never came to fruition. He began directing his own TV scripts whenever possible and developed a passion for storytelling, often drawing inspiration from his own life experiences.
Chase's troubled relationship with his mother, which he grew up with in New Jersey, became a recurring theme in his work. He found a way to combine this personal story with elements of the mob and psychotherapy, ultimately leading to the creation of the landmark pilot script for "The Sopranos" (1999).
Initially, the show was developed by Fox, but it was ultimately passed over for production. HBO then took a chance on Chase, and the rest is history. "The Sopranos" went on to become one of the most successful shows in television history, earning numerous awards and accolades, including multiple Emmy, Golden Globe, and Writer's Guild Awards.
Chase's impact on the world of television is undeniable, with "The Sopranos" being compared to the likes of "The Godfather" (1972). Despite his success, Chase remains committed to bringing his feature film projects to life, with plans to do so once "The Sopranos" comes to an end.
