The horse that played The Sopranos‘ Pie-O-My is happily retired on a New York farm
Goldee, the equestrian thespian, is now 23 years old
TV Features Pie-O-My
In The Sopranos’ fourth season, a race horse—a “beautiful innocent creature”—named Pie-O-My ends up dying as a result of a feud between Tony and that rat bastard Ralph Cifaretto. The horse is yet another victim of Cifaretto’s heartlessness, its death leaving yet another symbolic wound (and a really nice painting) behind with its exit from the show.
Fortunately, the horse actor that played Pie-O-My left The Sopranos under much pleasanter circumstances. As Mel Magazine discovered, Goldee the horse is still kicking and living out her golden years on a farm in New York.
Writer Brian VanHooker learned of Goldee’s whereabouts after finding a Twitter account called, appropriately enough, “Pie o my from the Sopranos” that posts behind-the-scenes photos from the horse’s acting days and pictures of her just hanging out.
VanHooker went out to meet Goldee at her home—“a beautiful, 10-acre clearing that consists of just a few fences and an old barn that’s currently being restored.” He learned from owner Kimberly Martin that, as a proper Sopranos horse, Goldee was living in New Jersey until just a few months ago and has now moved to the New York property to spend her final years hanging out with Martin’s other horses.
Goldee ended up in The Sopranos after Martin heard that HBO needed horses and sent in photos. The show wanted a horse that looked like the one depicted in racing footage and Goldee matched up, aside from her needing to have one “sock” painted on. Since her casting, Goldee’s done like many character actors before her and appeared at conventions. She also has merchandise and does meet-and-greets that Martin uses to “raise money to care for my horses.”
Martin says Goldee “was the first horse I bred and kept for myself,” though she’s not the best to ride because she’s “a stubborn redhead.” She also keeps nine other rescues, including “a small, 30-year-old pony” named Candy who’s Goldee’s best friend. The only aspect of Goldee’s retirement that isn’t idyllic is that she suffers from Cushing’s disease, “a common ailment for horses” that requires her to eat a special diet that keeps her from enjoying her beloved clovers, carrots, and apples.
Still, she’s getting up there for a horse at 23 years old, seems well cared-for, and has a pony for a best friend, so it could be worse. For more on Pie-O-My and Martin, check out the rest of the article at Mel Magazine.
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21 Comments
“farm upstate” – genuinely thought this was going to be an obit for the horse
Yeah he’s there with my bunny Floppy from 1983, my dog Brutus from 1995, my cat Scamper from 1998, and my other dog Yabbo from 2000…they’re living their best lives right….right!?
“farm upstate” – genuinely thought this was going to be an obit for the horse It’s been awhile, but… wasn’t Tony genuinely upset when he found out, in conversation with his sister, that their family dog hadn’t been sent to live happily on a farm? (If I am remembering it right, it was one of those scenes where I thought “aw, Tony’s not so bad… poor guy..! That feeling never lasted too long.)
His dog I believe went to his fathers misstress because she had a kid and the kid wanted the dog and then the Misstress had that dog put down after her kid went to college
You are correct. It was a memorable scene because it was one of a few where Bacala wasn’t the most clueless character onscreen.
It could only be worse if it said the horse was living in the weeds.
That farm has gotta have sh*t up to the rafters by now.
“I know what it’s like to lose a pet.”
He’s there with Tippy.
That same farm must have dogshit up to the rafters.
What about his goat friend?
Typical Hollywood goat story. Small role in prestige drama, fame, drugs, sex, rock n’roll. Top of the world. Then came the downfall. You don’t even want to know the details. Suffice it to say, the goat is dead now.
Pie-O-My WAS living happily on a NY farm until the AV Club blew his cover and now will have to go back into the witness relocation program.
Just as long as he doesn’t end up in Maine.
Or his head in someone’s bed…
The US Marshals can keep an eye on him. Maybe they’ll send in Neighhh-lan Givens. I’m sorry
It’s been a while since I’ve watched the episodes, but I recall believing Ralph didn’t actually cause the fire or kill the horse (he did a lot of awful stuff), but Tony wanted to believe it so bad so he could have an actual excuse to kill him that no other reality existed. IIRC there was some other stuff going on with Tony that he channeled all that rage and grief into Pie-O-My dying and Ralph was in the wrong place at the wrong time.
That’s what they always say. That same farm must have seventeen billion horses on it.
And sh*t up to the rafters…
Ralph didn’t necessarily kill her. That’s part of the wonderful “Sopranos” ambiguity
Goldee the horse is still kicking and living out her golden years on a farm in New York.Yeah, but did they spring for the Silver Bird package?