Sopranos Star James Gandolfini Dies Aged 51

[Jazzy]

James Gandolfini, the actor best known for his portrayal of a New Jersey mob boss in the hit TV series The Sopranos, has died at 51 after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Gandolfini died while on holiday in Rome.

He was rushed to the city's Policlinic Umberto I hospital on Wednesday night, but was pronounced dead after resuscitation attempts failed.

Hospital officials said a post-mortem examination would be performed starting 24 hours after the death, as required by law.

Gandolfini became a global superstar thanks to his portrayal of Tony Soprano and won three Emmy Awards for his performance as the brutal mobster with a tortured psyche.

Sopranos creator David Chase said the actor was one of the greatest of all time.

"He was a genius. 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 genius resided in those sad eyes."

Gandolfini married former model Deborah Lin in 2008, and their daughter was born last year. He also has a son from a previous relationship.

Many fans have flocked to the diner featured in the final scene of The Sopranos to pay their respects.

TV network HBO, which was behind the hit series, described him as a "special man" and a "great talent".

"We're all in shock and feeling immeasurable sadness at the loss of a beloved member of our family," a statement said.

"He was a 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 had been due to appear at a film festival in Sicily at the weekend. The festival directors said they would organise a tribute "to celebrate his great achievement and talent".

Since The Sopranos ended in 2007, Gandolfini has appeared in a number of big-screen roles, including thriller Zero Dark Thirty and the comedy The Incredible Burt Wonderstone.

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I used to watch The Sopranos and was sad when it ended. This is sad news.

Anyone else here watch The Sopranos?

 

[Nebulous's iconNebulous]

Yeah, poor guy! RIP.

 

[Bryd0]

What a shame for a talented person like him to pass away that young Although, I heard that he was a heavy drinker which may have been the cause but we don't know yet. Or maybe he's went through stress of being an actor and such, and we know that stress can kill you. A person may be healthy on the outside but is actually suffering internally, which may be the case for him.