‘Sopranos’ actor went out in style

David Chase, creator of “The Sopranos,” called Schirripa at home back in February, said he was in the neighborhood and wanted to stop over.

“He had never come to my house before. He drove up with his limo driver, Jason Cipolla. It was like the grim reaper knocking on the door,” said Schirripa, from a hotel room at Foxwood Resorts in Connecticut, where he was watching a New York Yankees game Saturday with “Sopranos” pal Michael Imperioli.

Chase cut to the chase.

“I guess you know why I’m here,” he told Schirripa.

Two weeks later, on the set, Schirripa, a longtime Las Vegas resident and still entertainment director of the Riviera, ended his six-season run in a hail of bullets, the victim of a mob hit in a model train store.

“That episode (which aired last week) was possibly one of the finest hours of television, and I’m flattered that I was part of it,” said Schirripa, who travels to Fort Lauderdale today for a final-episode extravaganza with the show’s cast at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel.

Life after “The Sopranos” will soon bring him back to Las Vegas, where “Casino Cinema,” a show he co-hosts on the Spike network with Beth Ostrosky, will be filmed four or five times a month at the Hard Rock Hotel.

Meantime, Schirripa didn’t mince any words weighing in on Paris Hilton‘s return to jail.

Interviewed in New York City by tmz.com on Friday as he was getting in a limo, Schirripa was asked to comment on the socialite’s incarceration.

He had this advice: “Stop whoring around, Paris. Behave yourself. You got a second chance. Stop being a whore.”

THE SCENE AND HEARD

Overheard at the Chanel counter at Neiman Marcus (Fashion Show mall) on Saturday: “We’ve had the kind of day,” a female shopper said to her friend, “Paris Hilton would have had if she wasn’t in jail.” …

Meanwhile over at The Art of Music on the Miracle Mile (Planet Hollywood Resort), a new shipment of “Save Paris” T-shirts were not exactly flying off the racks Saturday. Only one had been sold all day, according to an Eye Spy of the leggy blond persuasion. …

My favorite personal experience involving “The Sopranos” came three years ago when Golden Nugget owners Tim Poster and Tom Breitling brought most of the cast in for a special meet and greet with 150 high rollers. As I sat down at a table next to James Gandolfini for a group photo, Tony Sirico, who plays old-school thug Paulie “Walnuts” Gualtieri, looked over and eyed the eyepatch. “I’d hate to see what the other guy looks like,” he said, talking out of the side of his mouth.

SIGHTINGS

Actress/comedian Rosie O’Donnell, with Cyndi Lauper, Euro pop band Erasure, comedian Margaret Cho and The Dresden Dolls, at Studio 54 (MGM Grand) for Lauper’s “True Colors” after-party Friday. … Joey Arias, the Mistress of Seduction in “Zumanity” (New York-New York), guest emceeing the 50th Annual Striptease Reunion Showcase, honoring burlesque stars from the 1950s and ’60s, on Friday at the Plaza. On hand: Kitten Natavidad, Marinka and Tura Satana, with special performances from ’60s pinup girls Daisy Delight, Satan’s Angel and 82-year-old burlesque icon Tempest Storm, who closed the extravaganza with a four-number set. … Actor Corey Feldman, at “Zumanity” on Friday. … At “Love” (Mirage) on Friday: 1980s heartthrob Rick Springfield and Colin Hanks, Tom Hanks’ son. … Actor Chazz Palminteri, partying Friday at Light nightclub (Bellagio) and having appetizers with friends at Spiedini (JW Marriott) on Saturday. Palminteri is in Las Vegas filming “Joe Yonkers,” co-produced by Trent Othick and poker star Phil Ivey.

THE PUNCHLINE

“Some people are saying Paris planned this whole thing just so she could get another cavity search.” — Jimmy Kimmel

Norm Clarke can be reached at 383-0244 or norm@reviewjournal.com. Find additional sightings and more online at www.normclarke.com.