James Gandolfini dead at 51

James Gandolfini, the New Jersey-bred actor who delighted audiences as mob boss Tony Soprano in “The Sopranos” has died following a massive heart attack in Italy, a source told the Daily News.

“Everyone is in tears,” the source close to the 51-year-old TV tough guy said.

A press-shy celeb who got his start as a character actor and became famous relatively late in his career — thanks to his breakout role on “The Sopranos,” Gandolfini has largely avoided the spotlight since the last season of the beloved show aired in 2007.

The burly Westwood, N.J. native has appeared in several supporting roles since then, playing the director of the CIA in “Zero Dark Thirty” and the gruff blue-collar father of a wannabe rock star in “Not Fade Away” last year.

Gandolfini hit Broadway in 2009 with the Tony Award-winning comedy “God of Carnage.”

“I seek out good stories, basically — that’s it,” he told The Star-Ledger last December.

“The older I get, the funnier-looking I get, the more comedies I’m offered. I’m starting to look like a toad, so I’ll probably be getting even more soon.”

Gandolfini’s wife, former model Deborah Lin, gave birth to a baby girl last October. The couple married in Hawaii in 2008.

Gandolfini — who spent part of his early career supporting himself as a bartender and nightclub manager — also has a son with his ex-wife, Marcy Wudarski.

His first break came in 1992 when he landed a role in a Broadway version of “A Streetcar Named Desire” that starred Alec Baldwin and Jessica Lange.

Smallish parts in major films followed — Gandolfini played a submarine crew member in “Crimson Tide” in 1995 and a gangland bodyguard in “Get Shorty” the same year.

Fame came for the Italian-American actor after 1999, as “The Sopranos” garnered critical acclaim and cult popularity on its way to becoming a TV classic.

Gandolfini won three Emmy Awards for his sparkling depiction of protagonist Tony Soprano, a mobster trying to balance the mundane stresses of family life and his unusual occupation: organized crime.

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http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/james-gandolfini-dead-51-article-1.1377435

 

RIP Sir Soprano

 

Oh no....... I love this actor........

What a crying shame..

 

I only know one anecdote and he was a ginormous dick. Buh bye.

 

Really man? Consumed by hate you are!

 

RIP big Jim.

 

tacky dude, tacky.

 

I also heard he was an insufferable prick. Because you play a character well doesn't mean you are above reproach. OJ Simpson was very talented, he also robbed and murdered people.

I didn't know the man. I will miss his work.

 

Just so.

Character matters. I used to really admire Tiger Woods. Now I root against every shot.

 

So much for a Sopranos movie. Best show in TV history.

 

That sucks. RIP, You'll be missed.

 

Interesting. I've heard just the opposite.

I recall hearing Vincent Pastore (played Puss on Sopranos), speaking of how Gandolfini wrote personal check to all the cast members on the show, because he had negotiated a larger salary than theirs. Here is a link to a brief article. However, not as moving as hearing Pastore speak of it personally.


http://www.openyear.org/super-earners/james-gandolfini-opens-his-pay-to-other-actors-on-the-sopranos/

 

I didn't like the Sopranos which is surprising considering gangster movies and shows always intrigued me. I liked him in Crimson Tide and the remake of 12 Angry Men.

 

You should get together with that lowlife Donald Trump who actually tweeted "If Obamacare wasn't enacted James Gandolfini would still be with us". You both can ride the elevator up when you visit pond scum.

 

He didn't! God Trump is a lowlife.

 

I agree he is a lowlife, but does anybody know for sure if the Donald actually does his own tweeting? I'm beginning to doubt it and think he has someone to be a rude as possible in order to keep him relevant and in the news. I'm sure he believes bad publicity is better than no publicity.

 

Wow. The guy always looked really overweight, probably had heart disease, and finally, POW !

RIP.

 

Apparently it's true ...

 

I've also heard the complete opposite.

Just because someone is reclusive and doesn't crave the spotlight, doesn't make them a prick.

 

I had not considered that possibility......

 

As one who worked behind the scenes in TV and Movies, I have run across Mr. G several times. He was a true gentleman and a really fun guy. Anyone who worked with him loved him as far as I know. My deepest sympathy goes out to his family and close friends, as his passing will no doubt leave a large hole in their lives. RIP Jimmy.

 

My favorite part for him was his part in True Romance. He just made you hate him so much.

 

Wasn't trying to start a controversy, it was just what I had heard... and RR could be correct... again... I didn't know him. Our willingness to worship celebrities always bothers me. If I built disneyland in my back yard, gave cancer kids alcahol and slept with them, several coming forward before they died and said I molested them... I expect I would be in jail... not overdosing on scripts prepping for a show.

As I had heard it, I threw up there that because you like his act, doesn't make him an awesome person... and because I heard he was a prick doesn't make him a prick.

 

All I know is that I am sad that there will be no more of this great actor for us to enjoy.

I truly loved the Sopranos.

 

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