( EW.com ) -- For the past seven years , the final scene of `` The Sopranos '' has had viewers and fans scratching their heads over what the heck happened . It was perhaps the most divisive series finale of all time , leading legions of people to think their televisions went out and spawning a plethora of close readings of Journey 's `` Do n't Stop Believin ' . '' Did the guy in the 'Members Only ' jacket whack him ? Were the onion rings a crispy and delicious source of symbolism about the circle of life for Tony ? What was up with Meadow 's parallel parking ? Questions about that scene never ceased , and Chase 's elusiveness over Tony 's fate only furthered speculation . In-depth fan sites were spawned just over the ending alone . Even Michael Imperioli , who played Christopher Moltisanti in the show ( and was tragically whacked episodes before the finale ) thought Tony died . Perhaps sick of answering questions about an event that happened seven years ago , Sopranos creator David Chase finally let a sliver of info out on Tony Soprano 's whereabouts at end of the HBO series . In an article on Vox , writer Martha P. Nochimson questions Chase on whether Tony dies in the finale . Chase 's simple reply : `` 'He shook his head 'no . ' And he said simply , 'No he is n't . ' '' Sorry , Imperioli and the rest of the Tony-was-whacked believersâ€ ” your theory 's debunked . Chase 's nonchalance notwithstanding , `` Sopranos '' fans can breath a sigh of relief knowing that Tony 's enjoying some onion rings somewhere , post-blacked-out screen . See the original story at EW.com . CLICK HERE to Try 2 RISK FREE issues of Entertainment Weekly . © 2011 Entertainment Weekly and Time Inc. All rights reserved .
` ` ' '' origin has long been debated . Several sites have had in - depth theories . The creator gave Vox a simple reply .