James Gandolfini, 'Sopranos' star, dies

[San]

James Gandolfini
DIES IN ITALY

UPDATE
4:48 PM PT -- The celebrity tributes have begun ... we just spoke with Joseph R. Gannascoli -- aka Vito on "The Sopranos" -- who tells us. "James is one guy who never turned his back on me. He was the most humble and gifted actor and person I have ever worked with."

He adds, "He was a great man and I will forever be indebted to him. "

__________________________________________________________________________

James Gandolfini -- who famously played Tony Soprano on "The Sopranos" -- died earlier today in Italy ... TMZ has learned.

Gandolfini is believed to have suffered a heart attack. He was 51.

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.  He won 3 Emmy awards for the role during the show's 6 season run.

Gandolfini also appeared in a ton of huge movies including "Get Shorty," "The Mexican" and "Zero Dark Thirty."

We last spoke to Gandolfini in May in L.A. -- he was in great spirits, making funny faces and joking about a "Sopranos" movie.

Read more: http://www.tmz.com/2013/06/19/james-gandolfini-dead-dies-italy/#ixzz2Wi9taKub

[San]

James Gandolfini dead after heart attack
Star was in Italy

    By JAMIE SCHRAM, MICHAEL STARR and DAN MacLEOD
    Last Updated: 8:10 PM, June 19, 2013
    Posted: 7:32 PM, June 19, 2013

james Gandolfini, the heavyweight actor who won multiple Emmy Awards for his role as mob boss Tony Soprano in the smash HBO series, died today.

HBO confirmed his death. He was 51.

Gandolfini suffered a heart attack in Italy. He was due to appear at the Taormina Film Festival in Sicily this weekend.

“It is with immense sorrow that we report our client James Gandolfini passed away today while on holiday in Rome, Italy,” said a statement from agents, Mark Armstrong and Nancy Sanders.

“Our hearts are shattered and we will miss him deeply. He and his family were part of our family for many years and we are all grieving,”

 

http://www.nypost.com/p/news/international/james_gandolfini_XKEsZRGTj0ADAuscnNhbXL

[San]

REST IN PEACE - GONE TOO SOON.

[MuffyBee]

REST IN PEACE - GONE TOO SOON.

 

[MuffyBee]

http://www.mysanantonio.com/entertainment/television/article/Actor-James-Gandolfini-dies-in-Italy-at-age-51-4610908.php
Gandolfini died of cardiac arrest 'way too young'
June 20, 2013


This undated publicity photo, released by HBO, shows actor James Gandolfini in his role as Tony Soprano, head of the New Jersey crime family portrayed in HBO's "The Sopranos." HBO and the managers for Gandolfini say the actor died Wednesday, June 19, 2013, in Italy. He was 51. (AP Photo/HBO, Barry Wetcher, File)

Slide show with 32 images at link. 

[MuffyBee]

http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1306/20/ddhln.01.html
DR. DREW
Mystery of Missing Toddler; Death Of A TV Icon
Aired June 20, 2013 - 21:00   ET

 
And one of James Gandolfini`s friends and "Sopranos" cast mates is here to tell us about the late, great actor. And this tragedy should be a wakeup call for all of us.

Let`s get started.
 

[MuffyBee]

http://www.usatoday.com/story/onpolitics/2013/06/21/gandolfini-christie-new-jersey-flags/2447057/
Christie orders flags lowered for James Gandolfini
June 21, 2013

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is paying tribute to James Gandolfini by ordering flags to fly at half-staff Monday for the actor known best for his role on HBO's The Sopranos.

In his executive order, Christie described Gandolfini as "an iconic actor, who left a timeless impact upon television and film in the state of New Jersey and across our nation." The order affects flags at all state buildings.
More...

[MuffyBee]

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-504803_162-57590319-10391709/james-gandolfini-the-60-minutes-interview/
James Gandolfini: The 60 Minutes interview
June 20, 2013

In 2005, as the landmark HBO series "The Sopranos" began shooting its final season, James Gandolfini talked to 60 Minutes' Bob Simon about playing the role of Tony Soprano. In an extended excerpt of that conversation (in the above video player), Gandolfini told Simon that it was the writing that made the show so successful.
More...

Video 2:36