Sopranos dude dead (for real)
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SOURCE: http://www.voanews.com/content/sopranos-gandolfini-dead/1685449.html
LOS ANGELES — James Gandolfini, the burly actor best known for his Emmy-winning portrayal of a conflicted New Jersey mob boss in the acclaimed HBO cable television series “The Sopranos,” died on Wednesday while vacationing in Rome, the network said.
Gandolfini, 51, who 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, HBO spokeswoman Mara Mikialian told Reuters.
Since “The Sopranos” ended its six-season run in June 2007, Gandolfini has appeared in a number of big-screen roles, including the espionage thriller “Zero Dark Thirty” and the comedy “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone.”
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.
“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.”
Gandolfini broke ground with his signature portrait of Tony Soprano, the head of a fictional New Jersey mob family, in “The Sopranos.”
As Tony Soprano, Gandolfini created a gangster far different from any previously seen in American television or film. He was capable of killing enemies with his own hands but was prone to panic attacks. He loved his wife, Carmela, played by Edie Falco, and was a doting father, but he carried on a string of extramarital affairs.
He regularly saw a therapist, played by Lorraine Bracco, to work out his anxiety problems and issues with his mother.
The show, which earned Gandolfini 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.
Gandolfini's role also paved the way for a parade of popular prime-time shows built around profoundly flawed characters and anti-heroes, from “Dexter” and “Breaking Bad” to “Mad Men” and “Nurse Jackie.”
A New Jersey native, Gandolfini worked as a truck driver, bouncer and nightclub manager in New York City before he went to an acting class with a friend and got hooked.
“I'd also never been around actors before,” he told Time magazine, “and I said to myself, 'These people are nuts; this is kind of interesting.”'
LOS ANGELES — James Gandolfini, the burly actor best known for his Emmy-winning portrayal of a conflicted New Jersey mob boss in the acclaimed HBO cable television series “The Sopranos,” died on Wednesday while vacationing in Rome, the network said.
Gandolfini, 51, who 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, HBO spokeswoman Mara Mikialian told Reuters.
Since “The Sopranos” ended its six-season run in June 2007, Gandolfini has appeared in a number of big-screen roles, including the espionage thriller “Zero Dark Thirty” and the comedy “The Incredible Burt Wonderstone.”
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.
“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.”
Gandolfini broke ground with his signature portrait of Tony Soprano, the head of a fictional New Jersey mob family, in “The Sopranos.”
As Tony Soprano, Gandolfini created a gangster far different from any previously seen in American television or film. He was capable of killing enemies with his own hands but was prone to panic attacks. He loved his wife, Carmela, played by Edie Falco, and was a doting father, but he carried on a string of extramarital affairs.
He regularly saw a therapist, played by Lorraine Bracco, to work out his anxiety problems and issues with his mother.
The show, which earned Gandolfini 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.
Gandolfini's role also paved the way for a parade of popular prime-time shows built around profoundly flawed characters and anti-heroes, from “Dexter” and “Breaking Bad” to “Mad Men” and “Nurse Jackie.”
A New Jersey native, Gandolfini worked as a truck driver, bouncer and nightclub manager in New York City before he went to an acting class with a friend and got hooked.
“I'd also never been around actors before,” he told Time magazine, “and I said to myself, 'These people are nuts; this is kind of interesting.”'
Sad that some posters in this thread think it funny to mock the passing of a brilliant actor (or anyone for that matter) I'm sure his family and friends aren't sharing your mirth.
Genius. Perhaps the greatest role in the history of television. Absolutely nailed that role whether in a seething rage or a silent moment. As the creator of the series David Chase said "there was genius in those sad eyes" A true artist who will be missed.
RIP JG Thoughts and prayers to your family. You have passed way too young.
Genius. Perhaps the greatest role in the history of television. Absolutely nailed that role whether in a seething rage or a silent moment. As the creator of the series David Chase said "there was genius in those sad eyes" A true artist who will be missed.
RIP JG Thoughts and prayers to your family. You have passed way too young.
RIP James G!
It is an amazing transition from The Sopranos series 1 to 7. His weight gain was huge. I have the whole box set and he was fairly fit in the first season. Last part he played was Leon Panetta in Zero Dark 30; a movie I have watched numerous times.
It is an amazing transition from The Sopranos series 1 to 7. His weight gain was huge. I have the whole box set and he was fairly fit in the first season. Last part he played was Leon Panetta in Zero Dark 30; a movie I have watched numerous times.
I watched the whole The Sopranos series over a month a few years ago. The show helped paved the wave of flawed characters (anti-heros) to hit the TV screen such as Dexter, Weeds and Breaking Bad. My favorite episode was when Tony went to Las Vegas after Tony snuffed out Christopher. He visited Christopher's honey in Vegas (played by the then unknown Sarah Sahi) and they were walking around Vegas high on peyote. An iconic image for me was Tony raiding his fridge late at night eating Gabagul which is really Capicola straight from the pack. Perhaps this is a case of life imitates art. I do the same occasionally with prosciutto or serrano ham.
i see all sorts of death in my job everyday. sorry but i will save my sympathy for the people i have to wheel out of hospices who fought for every day of life they could get because of illnesses they could not control getting, or the poor 10 month old baby i had to carry out of canuck place who never had a chance at life. i have no sympathy for some rich guy who obviously did not give a crap about his health to the point that he had a heart attack and dropped dead. do my job and see what i see and you learn very quickly who does and who doesn't deserve compassion in this world.
that must be one grey, sad world you live in there pardner...
ever been to an irish wake?
i have no sympathy for some rich guy who obviously did not give a crap about his health to the point that he had a heart attack and dropped dead. do my job and see what i see and you learn very quickly who does and who doesn't deserve compassion in this world.[/B
Couldn't disagree with this more. Everyone deserves compassion in this world. Yes, even rich guys who neglect their health. Don't really think there is a continuum of caring here. He was an extremely talented actor who died far too young .HIs many fans and his friends and family care. Sorry you don't.
that must be one grey, sad world you live in there pardner...
ever been to an irish wake?
Actually VCC, my world is very far from grey and sad. I'm super happy with my life, my career, my family. No, I haven't been to an Irish wake. I just believe in authentic emotion. Guess that's why I've never been a Tarantino fan. Violence, blood and gore played for laughs-I've just never quite got that. But I digress. It's one thing at a wake to reminisce about someone who has passed and reflect on the happy, funny times during that person's life. It is another to make jokes and belittle the fact that someone has died.
Couldn't disagree with this more. Everyone deserves compassion in this world. Yes, even rich guys who neglect their health. Don't really think there is a continuum of caring here. He was an extremely talented actor who died far too young .HIs many fans and his friends and family care. Sorry you don't.
that must be one grey, sad world you live in there pardner...
ever been to an irish wake?
Actually VCC, my world is very far from grey and sad. I'm super happy with my life, my career, my family. No, I haven't been to an Irish wake. I just believe in authentic emotion. Guess that's why I've never been a Tarantino fan. Violence, blood and gore played for laughs-I've just never quite got that. But I digress. It's one thing at a wake to reminisce about someone who has passed and reflect on the happy, funny times during that person's life. It is another to make jokes and belittle the fact that someone has died.
