Tony Soprano survived the final, fatal-seeming scene in HBO’s hit mob series Sopranos, according to creator David Chase.

Tony Soprano Lived

Chase finally revealed Tony’s fate in an interview with Vox writer Martha P. Nochimson. When Nochimson asked the question, Chase’s initial response was to ask with exasperation, "Why are we talking about this?" After Nochimson said it was mere curiosity, he shook his head “no,” adding, “No, he isn’t.” Other than confirming that Tony lived, Chase offered no further details.

When the Sopranos' finale aired in June 2007, there was widespread debate about what became of Tony, the series protagonist brought to life by the late James Gandolfini. Some thought he lived, maybe long enough to get brought to prison, but the vast majority believed that he was killed.

In the last scene, Tony is out to dinner at a popular restaurant, sitting at a table with his wife Carmela (Edie Falco) and son A.J. (Robert Iler). They’re waiting for Meadow (Jamie-Lynn Sigler), who’s rushing to the dinner, dashing through cars after swiftly pulling into a parking space. Before she meets up with her family, the scene fades to black and then the credits roll.

The ambiguity of the final scene was not only divisive when it came to interpreting what became of the mob leader, but polarizing in that some thought it genius, while others were left disappointed. Opinions aside, Chase has cleared the air about Tony Sopranos' fate.