(CelebNMusic247-News) James Gandolfini Dead in Italy
James Gandolfini, best known for his role as Tony Saprano, the conflicted New Jersey mob boss in the acclaimed HBO cable television series “The Sopranos,” has died!
Gandolfini was in Italy to attend the 59th Taormina Film Festival in Sicily — and he was scheduled to participate in a festival event this weekend with Italian director Gabriele Muccino.
Gandolfini shot to fame playing a hitman in the 1993 hit “True Romance” … and quickly became a Hollywood legend when he was cast as Tony Soprano in 1999.
Reports are saying the Gandolfini died on Wednesday while vacationing in Sicily. He was 51. Gandolfini broke ground with his signature portrait of Tony Soprano, the head of a fictional New Jersey mob family, in “The Sopranos.” Gandolfini acquired three Emmy Awards as best lead actor in a drama series, was considered by many critics at the time the finest drama to have aired on U.S. television.
James Gandolfini began his career in theater in New York, making his Broadway debut in a 1992 revival of “A Streetcar Named Desire,” died of a possible heart attack. The talented New Jersey-born actor who appeared in a number of big-screen roles, including; Saving Christmas, The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, Killing Them Softly, the espionage thriller Zero Dark Thirty, The Incredible Burt Wonderstone and two upcoming films Animal Rescue, and a Untitled Nicole Holofcener Project, set to release in 2014.
At the time of his death, Gandolfini had been working on an upcoming HBO series titled “Criminal Justice.” HBO declined to elaborate on the series other than to say that it was in development and that Gandolfini was a part of it.
The network said in a statement:
“We’re all in shock and feeling immeasurable sadness at the loss of a beloved member of our family.”
“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.”
We are truly saddened by the death of James Gandolfini, he was a great actor, a very nice man and one of a kind! He will truly be missed. Much love goes out to his family and friends today. We will miss ya Tony Soprano!
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