Actor James Gandolfini of 'The Sopranos' dies at 51

[308Mike]

RIP - Tony Soprano:

Actor James Gandolfini of 'The Sopranos' dies at 51
Published June 19, 2013 | FoxNews.com


Actor James Gandolfini, who rose to fame as crime boss Tony Soprano on the “The Sopranos,” has died of a possible heart attack in Italy, HBO confirmed to Fox News.

There were few immediate details surrounding his death at 51, although he was on vacation in Rome, his managers said.

Gandolfini, a New Jersey native, appeared in films and on the stage before his breakthrough part in 1999 as Mafia boss Tony Soprano in the HBO series, which brought him three Emmys during its six-year run.

“We're all in shock and feeling immeasurable sadness at the loss of a beloved member of our family,” said a statement from HBO. “He was special man, a great talent, but more importantly a gentle and loving person who treated everyone no matter their title or position with equal respect.

“He touched so many of us over the years with his humor, his warmth and his humility. Our hearts go out to his wife and children during this terrible time. He will be deeply missed by all of us. “

His managers Mark Armstrong and Nancy Sanders said, “It is with immense sorrow that we report our client James Gandolfini passed away today while on holiday in Rome, Italy. Our hearts are shattered and we will miss him deeply. He and his family were part of our family for many years and we are all grieving.”

He is survived by his wife, Deborah Lin, their baby daughter and his son Michael, with his ex-wife, Marcy Wudarski, from whom he was divorced in December 2002.

Gandolfini, easily recognized with his bear-like frame, turned Tony Soprano into a multi-faceted character who merged mob boss and family man. In addition to his Emmys, the part brought him a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild Award.

His film credits included "Zero Dark Thirty" and "Killing Them Softly," and he appeared in the Broadway production "God of Carnage" in 2009 with Jeff Daniels, Hope Davis and Marcia Gay Harden, earning a Tony nomination for best actor.

Gandolfini's performance in "The Sopranos" was indelible and career-making, but he refused to be stereotyped as the bulky mobster who was a therapy patient, family man and cold-blooded killer.

After the series concluded with its breathtaking blackout ending, Gandolfini's varied film work included comedies such as "In the Loop," a political satire, and the heartwarming drama "Welcome to the Rileys," which costarred Kristen Stewart. He voiced the Wild Thing Carol in "Where the Wild Things Are."

In a December 2012 interview with The Associated Press, Gandolfini said he gravitated to acting as a release, a way to get rid of anger. "I don't know what exactly I was angry about," he said.

"I try to avoid certain things and certain kinds of violence at this point," he said last year. "I'm getting older, too. I don't want to be beating people up as much. I don't want to be beating women up and those kinds of things that much anymore."

"Sopranos" producer and creator David Chase issued a statement Wednesday night saying, “He was a genius. Anyone who saw him even in the smallest of his performances knows that. He is one of the greatest actors of this or any time.

"A great deal of that genius resided in those sad eyes. I remember telling him many times, 'You don't get it. You're like Mozart.’ There would be silence at the other end of the phone.

"For Deborah and Michael and Liliana this is crushing. And it's bad for the rest of the world. He wasn't easy sometimes. But he was my partner, he was my brother in ways I can't explain and never will be able to explain.”

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie also paid tribute to Gandolfini, saying, "It's an awful shock. James Gandolfini was a fine actor, a Rutgers alum and a true Jersey guy. I was a huge fan of his and the character he played so authentically, Tony Soprano. I have gotten to know Jimmy and many of the other actors in the Sopranos cast and I can say that each of them are an individual New Jersey treasure."

[PawPaw]

Damned Shame, but none of us are promised tomorrow.

[blackeagle603]

I look at him and think "well he's a bit thick" so sad but no great surprise.

Then I see a current pic of myself.

[Rich Jordan]

Never watched the show after deciding I didn't like it (or him, or at least his character) but damn... I'm 51. I thought he was a lot older than me...

[308Mike]

From IMDB:

Actor (51 titles)
2014 Animal Rescue (post-production)

2013 Criminal Justice (TV series) (completed)
Jack Stone
– Episode #1.1 (2013) … Jack Stone

2013 Untitled Nicole Holofcener Project (completed)

2013 Nicky Deuce (TV movie)
Bobby Eggs

2013 The Incredible Burt Wonderstone
Doug Munny

2012 Zero Dark Thirty
C.I.A. Director

2012 Not Fade Away
Pat

2012 Killing Them Softly
Mickey

2011 Violet & Daisy
Michael

2011 Cinema Verite (TV movie)
Craig Gilbert

2011 Down the Shore
Bailey

2010 Mint Julep
Mr. G

2010 Welcome to the Rileys
Douglas Lloyd 'Doug' Riley

2009 Where the Wild Things Are
Carol (voice)

2009 The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3
Mayor

2009 In the Loop
Lt. Gen. George Miller

2007 Stories USA
The Man (segment "Club Soda")

1999-2007 The Sopranos (TV series)
Tony Soprano
– Made in America (2007) … Tony Soprano
– The Blue Comet (2007) … Tony Soprano
– The Second Coming (2007) … Tony Soprano
– Kennedy and Heidi (2007) … Tony Soprano
– Walk Like a Man (2007) … Tony Soprano
See all 86 episodes »

2006 The Sopranos: Road to Respect (Video Game)
Tony Soprano (voice)

2006 Club Soda (short)
The Man

2006 All the King's Men
Tiny Duffy

2006 Lonely Hearts
Det. Charles Hilderbrandt

2005 Romance & Cigarettes
Nick Murder

2004 Surviving Christmas
Tom Valco

2001 The Last Castle
Col. Winter

2001 The Man Who Wasn't There
Big Dave Brewster

2001 The Mexican
Winston Baldry

1999 8MM
Eddie Poole

1999 A Whole New Day (short)
Vincent

1998 A Civil Action
Al Love

1998 The Mighty
Kenny Kane

1998 Fallen
Lou

1997 Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil
Diner cook #2 (uncredited)

1997 Perdita Durango
Willie 'Woody' Dumas

1997 12 Angry Men (TV movie)
Juror #6

1997 She's So Lovely
Kiefer

1997 Gun (TV series)
Walter Difideli

Columbus Day (1997) …
Walter Difideli

1996 Night Falls on Manhattan
Joey Allegretto

1996 The Juror
Eddie

1995 Get Shorty
Bear

1995 Crimson Tide
Lt. Bobby Dougherty

1995 Le nouveau monde
Will Caberra

1994 Terminal Velocity
Ben Pinkwater

1994 Angie
Vinnie

1993 Mr. Wonderful
Mike

1993 True Romance
Virgil

1993 Money for Nothing
Billy Coyle

1993 Italian Movie
Angelo

1992 A Stranger Among Us
Tony Baldessari

1991 The Last Boy Scout
Marcones Henchman (uncredited)

1987 Shock! Shock! Shock!
Orderly

[MiddleAgedKen]

I liked Gandolfini in Get Shorty. First time I noticed his work.

[308Mike]

I liked Gandolfini in Get Shorty. First time I noticed his work.

Once I saw the Sopranos, I started noticing just how many other films and other projects he was in - and when I started noticing, I found it amazing at just how many different projects he worked in/on. The IMDB list also has him working on many other projects than just movies and TV shows. He did documentaries and other things too. Almost everyone is calling him a "gentle giant".

Getting taken like that (suddenly without warning) in the prime of his career is just sad, and I understand the impact it must have on his family, and I pray for them and their close friends, all of whom must be DEVASTATED!! Unfortunately, this seems to happen all to often to good people (especially those in a position to do many good things in this world, 'cause they have the means to do so).

May God rest his soul.

[Aesop]

And yet another unsuspecting victim is killed by a family vacation!

[TheIrishman]

Almost everyone is calling him a "gentle giant".

The general consensus from people who've met him was that he was very friendly and accommodating to fans, signing autographs and posing for pictures. I got to shake his hand when they were filming an episode of "The Sopranos" at a club my friend managed. He was all smiles, walking around talking to people. I've heard the same thing from a girl I knew who bar tended at "Bada-Bing".

[Cybrludite]

Getting taken like that (suddenly without warning) in the prime of his career is just sad, and I understand the impact it must have on his family, and I pray for them and their close friends, all of whom must be DEVASTATED!! Unfortunately, this seems to happen all to often to good people (especially those in a position to do many good things in this world, 'cause they have the means to do so).

I dunno. There's something to be said for going out while at the top of your game, instead of ending up as a punchline the way Brando did.