Sopranos star Max Casella has revealed that his career was nearly derailed in his mid-20s due to a growth hormone deficiency.

The actor, who played DiMeo family associate Benny Fazio on the hit drama series, said in a new interview that he didn’t go through puberty until he was 27, following medical intervention.

He told Page Six on the red carpet this week that his career was “pretty much dead” when he underwent physical changes most people experience as teenagers, even though he was already an established actor.

“I went through the awkward phase that most people go through in high school,” he explained.

“I had to start all over again. It was a humiliating experience,” he said. “It was awkward for a while... I didn’t wear it well.”

Max Casella said in a new interview that he didn’t go through puberty until he was 27, following medical intervention (Getty)

He said he struggled to adjust to his changing appearance, adding: “You know what happens to especially boys when they go through puberty.…