Madsen does look Irish and I just didn't buy him as Sonny Black. Or an Italian mobster for that matter. I like him as an actor. But in Donnie Brasco he looked out of place. I have nothing against people that aren't Italian playing Italians if they can pull it off. But in this case, Madsen was very out of place. I didn't mind James Caan playing Sonny. I didn't mind Paul Muni playing Tony Camonte in Scarface. I didn't mind Henry Winkler as Arthur Fonzarelli. But Michael Madsen was all wrong as Sonny Black. Frank Vincent could've pulled it off. I thought Armand Assante would've been great or Chazz Palminteri. I think Ray Sharkey would've been another good choice.

What bothered you about Madsen as Sonny Black? I thought he was great. Vincent may have been too old and possibly not menacing enough, notwithstanding his peformance as the Chcago mass murderer- Lou Maranzano.
Of course, Assante would have been perfect. But he would have been a supporting, not lead actor- not sure if he would have gone for it.
I know people have said Madsen looks Irish, not Italian, but that didn't bother me. Of course, I have always liked Madsen. And Vincent too, for that matter.