James "Tony Soprano" Gandolfini dead at 51

[Hunter]

Wow!!!! - the world lost another Tony today...Tony Soprano...same age as our Tony and same cause....RIP Tonys....

[whynotme]

Wow!!!! - the world lost another Tony today...Tony Soprano...same age as our Tony and same cause....RIP Tonys....

damn i thought you were joking



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

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.


Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/james-gandolfini-dead-51-article-1.1377435#ixzz2Wi1MChDe

[eldorob]

That's very young age to go. RIP Sounds like it just happened a couple hours ago. He was in Italy on vacation.

[Kevy]

Heart attack too, I guess too many onion rings. :rolleyes:

I was hoping for a Sopranos movie, wouldn't be the same without him

RIP.

[Hunter]

Gandolfini as Tony Soprano ranks right up there with best acting performances of all time. Life is too short..damn...

[MrHappy]

Man... just unbelievable. R.I.P. big guy...

[greydread]

Gandolfini as Tony Soprano ranks right up there with best acting performances of all time. Life is too short..damn...

Yeah but his real range as an actor was evident in his supporting roles. Remember "Bear" in "Get Shorty"?Remember Frank in "The Mexican"? Remember his roles in "True Romance" and "8mm"? This guy was the consummate actor and his humility and accessibility were legendary.


Good night, big Guy! Thanks for the memories!

[Irie]

For whatever reason, I'm dumbfounded. No bueno.

Many hours of pure emotion and thought provoking entertainment were enjoyed by this one. A cold beer, a couch, and a Sunday night Sopranos always brought me home to Jersey if even only for an hour.

Thank you for the memories. Rest in peace.

[JD426]

That early 50's thing aint no joke... RIP James...

I Cant believe it either..
Really liked this guy in all his Roles, not just Sopranos.

[BorisDaBulletDodger]

I can't believe he is only 51, I mean the Sopranos came out in 1999, which means when he was casted he was about my age around 37....... which means I still have time to be a mafia boss I guess.

I just thought he was older. Sad to hear none the less, I enjoyed his work

[BlueDevil]

Can't believe he was that young! RIP...

[questner]

Looks like both at the same age. Joined a forum open to everyone.

There are great actors, admire them while they are here, like Steve Buscemi, Edward Norton or Samuel L. Jackson to name a few.

http://www.moviepilot.de/files/images/0486/3365/james_gandolfini_person.jpg

L'eterno riposo dona loro, o Signore, e splenda ad essi la luce perpetua. Riposino in pace. Amen

[Tonto4]

Sorry to see him go so young. RIP James. Great actor.

[DMV]

Wow!!!! - the world lost another Tony today...Tony Soprano...same age as our Tony and same cause....RIP Tonys....

Tony had just turned 54 on June 10th.


That early 50's thing aint no joke... RIP James...

I Cant believe it either..
Really liked this guy in all his Roles, not just Sopranos.

As you stated something about that 50-55 age span for men.