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Tony Danza has become the unexpected centerpiece of “Power Book III: Raising Kanan” and its final chapters, bringing a ruthless edge to the role of Stefano Marchetti, the Godfather of New York City’s mafia underworld.
The legendary actor, known for decades of comedic brilliance on sitcoms, has fully embraced the complexity of playing a character who operates in the shadows of Queens’ criminal empire, and he’s got plenty to say about what’s coming next.
In an exclusive interview with AllHipHop, Danza opened up about the psychological shift required to inhabit such a morally compromised character at this stage of his career.
When asked how he reconciles his reputation as a genuinely good person with playing someone so far removed from that reality, his answer was disarmingly honest.
“As I get older I want to be friendlier,” Danza said. “I think you mellow. That’s the word isn’t it as you get older and I’m doing it.”
The contradiction between his real-world persona and his on-screen villainy is precisely what makes Stefano so compelling. Danza understands that audiences need more than a one-dimensional antagonist.
“You always have to have that kind of flavor. You don’t want him to be one note right and everybody knows he’s bad but you know he could be lovable every once in a while,” he explained, revealing the nuance he brings to every scene.
The finale is where things get wild. According to AllHipHop’s exclusive interview, Danza teased that the final episodes left even the cast members stunned.
“At every reading people were screaming in shock and actors going what? What are you kidding? No,” he revealed, suggesting audiences should brace themselves for twists that nobody saw coming.
Beyond the Power universe, Danza has channeled his influence into something far more meaningful.
He founded the Stars of Tomorrow Project, a free program offering acting, voice, dance, and wellness classes to New York high school students.
The program has already transformed lives in ways that extend far beyond entertainment. One story perfectly illustrates his impact as a mentor.
A 16-year-old joined with zero interest in acting, and when Danza asked why he showed up, the teenager was brutally honest.
“I figured Well, it’s free. And I figured acting, there might be girls.”
Instead of dismissing him, Danza kept him engaged in the program. That same student went on to graduate from SUNY Purchase and now performs as Romeo in Shakespeare in the Park, a transformation that speaks volumes about Danza’s ability to recognize others’ potential.
Danza has called “Raising Kanan” one of the best television experiences of his entire career, and his work on the show has earned him recognition from both longtime fans and new audiences discovering his range as an actor.
