Michael Gandolfini, Son of Late “Sopranos” Star James Gandolfini, Attends Show’s 25th Anniversary Celebration

Michael Gandolfini, who played a young Tony Soprano in ‘The Many Saints of Newark,’ made an appearance at the New York City anniversary event

Celebrating The Sopranos' 25^th anniversary wouldn’t be complete without Michael Gandolfini, who paid tribute to the hit show on Wednesday with an appearance at HBO's event in New York City.

Michael, the 24-year-old son of late actor James Gandolfini, stepped out at the anniversary event with his girlfriend Mia Healey. The couple coordinated in matching black attire as they posed for photos on the red carpet together.

Michael was also photographed with Sopranos alum Kathrine Narducci, who played Charmaine Bucco, Artie Bucco (John Ventimiglia)'s wife.

Related: Sopranos Creator David Chase Reflects on Show's 25th Anniversary: 'The Best Thing I Probably Will Ever Do' (Exclusive)

Michael starred in the 2021 crime drama The Many Saints of Newark, playing a younger version of his dad’s character, Tony Soprano. The film’s cast also included Ray Liotta, Leslie Odom Jr., Jon Bernthal and Vera Farmiga, who played Tony's mother.

When it came to portraying Tony in the movie, Michael explained to PEOPLE in 2021 that his goal wasn’t to “play my dad” but to focus instead on doing justice to the iconic role. That meant nailing down his dad’s mannerisms from The Sopranos.

“I look like my dad, I don't have the gestures,” Michael said at the time. “I don't have the accent, the way he uses his eyes. All those things are things I wanted to develop, because if I could get his physicality, I might be able to have more leeway to do what I want emotionally."

Related: All About James Gandolfini's Son, Michael Gandolfini

While auditioning for the film, the actor watched The Sopranos for the first time, which evoked a range of emotions, he told the WSJ. Magazine in 2021. Michael essentially grew up on the set of the show, which ran from 1999 to 2007 and snagged 21 Emmys, five Golden Globes and two Peabody Awards — its success due, in large part, to his father's star-making turn as the menacing yet darkly funny Tony.

"Just watching for the first time. Seeing my dad and seeing how good my dad was — which pissed me off in some regard and made me feel so proud,” Michael said at the time. “I was so happy for him and also thinking back to growing up on the set. And then having to just clear all … the junk. All the crap …, laughing so hard and crying. It felt so good to get it all out."

Related: Lorraine Bracco Says She and James Gandolfini 'Pranked' Each Other: 'He Had a Great Sense of Humor' (Exclusive)

Channeling Tony also allowed Michael to connect with his father, who died at age 51 of a heart attack in 2013, in a way he hadn't before.

"I feel a bond," he told PEOPLE in 2021. "I understand the toll that he went through, the hard work that he put in as an actor that maybe I wouldn't have known as a kid. I respect him as an actor more."

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No matter what, "my dad is always going to be my best friend," Michael added. "He's always just going to be my dad to me."

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