David Chase: Bio And Career Highlights

August 22, 1945

Mount Vernon, New York, US

81 Years Old

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David Henry Chase is an American showrunner and director, celebrated for his innovative storytelling and profound impact on television drama. His work often delves into complex psychological landscapes, earning widespread critical acclaim.


Chase achieved global recognition with the HBO series The Sopranos, a groundbreaking crime drama that redefined the medium. Its blend of domesticity and organized crime resonated with audiences and critics alike.

Family roots ran deep in Mount Vernon, New York, where David Chase was born into an Italian American household. His parents, Norma and Enrico Chase, raised him in New Jersey, shaping an early interest in narrative.


Chase pursued higher education at New York University before earning a Master of Arts degree from Stanford University, focusing his academic path toward a career in film.

A long-term arc marks the personal life of David Chase, who married his high school sweetheart, Denise Kelly. Their enduring relationship has largely remained private despite his public career.


Chase shares one daughter, Michele DeCesare, with whom he maintains a close family bond.

David Chase anchored his enduring legacy by creating The Sopranos, an HBO drama series that fundamentally reshaped television. The show garnered extensive critical praise and collected numerous awards for its innovative narrative.


His earlier career included significant contributions to acclaimed television, such as producing and writing for The Rockford Files and Northern Exposure. These projects showcased Chase's talent for crafting compelling serialized stories.


To date, Chase has collected seven Primetime Emmy Awards, solidifying his status as a pivotal figure in contemporary entertainment.

“I think death very seldom comes to people the way they think it's going to. And the spiritual question would be: 'Is that all there is?'”