A very sad start to the day today with news that James Gandolfini – best known as the crime boss Tony Soprano in HBO’s acclaimed drama series The Sopranos – has passed away aged just 51 after suffering a heart attack whilst on holiday in Rome.
Born in Westwood, New Jersey in 1961, Gandolfini began his acting career on the stage in the early 90s before making a number of film appearances throughout the decade, including roles in True Romance, Crimson Tide, Get Shorty, The Juror, Fallen and 8mm. However, his big breakthrough came in 1999 when he was cast in David Chase’s The Sopranos, playing the role of troubled mobster Tony Soprano for six seasons and receiving a host of accolades for his work, including a Golden Globe and three Emmy Awards.
“He was a genius,” said David Chase, paying tribute to the star. “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.”
During his run on The Sopranos, Gandolfini also appeared in films such as The Mexican, The Man Who Wasn’t There, The Last Castle, Romance & Cigarettes and All the King’s Men, while his more recent work includes roles in In the Loop, The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, Killing Them Softly, Zero Dark Thirty, and The Incredible Burt Wonderstone.
Everyone here at Flickering Myth would like to pass on our condolences to James Gandolfini’s family and friends.
Originally published June 20, 2013. Updated April 11, 2018.
