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Re: James Gandolfini dead at 51
James Gandolfini, who personified the New Jersey mobster in HBO's acclaimed series The Sopranos, died Wednesday, apparently of a heart attack, while on vacation in Rome, the network said. He was 51.
"We're all in shock and feeling immeasurable sadness at the loss of a beloved member of our family," the network said in a statement. "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."
Gandolfini had been expected to appear at the Taormina Film Festival on Thursday, reports Variety.
The beefy actor, who played Mob patriarch Tony Soprano in the award-winning drama that ran for six seasons, had small film and theater roles when he was cast by David Chase in the drama, which became the network's top-rated series soon after premiering in 1999. He was a New Jersey native with deep Italian roots; both his parents were born and raised there.
Gandolfini won three Emmy Awards as best actor in the role, played opposite Edie Falco's Carmela, and helped establish the network's reputation as a home for edgy, complex series.
After the show ended its run in 2007 with an elliptical finale, Gandolfini continued his relationship with the network, producing a documentary about veterans of the Iraq War and last year's Hemingway & Gellhorn, about the life of author Ernest Hemingway. He was also set to co-star in Criminal Justice, a new drama for which a pilot episode had been shot. And he played the protagonist's dad in Not Fade Away, Chase's feature-film debut about a 1960s New Jersey garage band that was released last December.
Gandolfini recently had roles in films Zero Dark Thirty -- in which he played the director of the CIA -- and The Incredible Burt Wonderstone.
He is survived by his wife, Deborah Lin, and a son, Michael, and a baby daughter.
Fuck, Shitty news. The Sopranos were my show back then.
- Me_Wise_Magic
- Rep: 70
- Smoking Guns
- Rep: 330
Re: James Gandolfini dead at 51
He was a badass. I loved him. Even his role in Zero Dark 30.
- tejastech08
- Rep: 194
Re: James Gandolfini dead at 51
Can't say I'm shocked. It's always been reported that he had a major coke habit, booze and shit. Even during the Soprano's he didn't look healthy and his breathing had a lot of characteristics of someone with health issues.
Coke, booze, out of shape, 51 years old. Sound familiar? RIP Mr. Soprano. Feel very bad for his wife and young daughter (born in October). Hopefully this is a bit of a wakeup call for Axl.
Re: James Gandolfini dead at 51
What a blow. He was behind one of the greatest performed characters in cinematic history. Arguably he was the reason an otherwise niche show became a major hit, ending up creating a completely new standard for scripted television. Whatever happened to him, he'll be sadly missed.
- metallex78
- Rep: 194
Re: James Gandolfini dead at 51
Damn, 51 is so young... RIP
Thinking you could die at such a young age really puts shit into perspective.
If I lived til 51, thats only 16 years left on the planet... 
Re: James Gandolfini dead at 51
Coke, booze, out of shape, 51 years old. Sound familiar? RIP Mr. Soprano. Feel very bad for his wife and young daughter (born in October). Hopefully this is a bit of a wakeup call for Axl.
Them lads in happier times.
