Actor James Gandolfini, best known for playing mob boss Tony Soprano on HBO’s The Sopranos, died earlier today at the age of 51. According to the cable channel, he was on vacation in Rome and suffered a major heart attack.
“We’re all in shock and feeling immeasurable sadness at the loss of a beloved member of our family,” HBO said in a statement. “He was a 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.”
Gandolfini won three Emmy Awards for his Sopranos role. The series ran for six seasons and had one of the most memorable (and some would say frustrating) series finales in television history.
What do you think? What are your favorite memories of James Gandolfini and his work? From The Sopranos or some other project?
This really sucks!!!!! James was a great actor and I’ve always enjoyed his work. I was also looking forward to his return to television. I believe he was working on a new series on HBO. What a waste of a talent. He died too soon like so many but i hope wherever he is, thats he’s in peaceful place. Thanks James for sharing your talent and entertaining us for so many years.
One of the finest actors in the modern age. He could do more with a look or a scowl than others could with a bunch of lines, much like the old actors of Classic Hollywood. “The strong, silent type like Gary Cooper” whose absence Tony Soprano often lamented. R.I.P. Sir.