James Gandolfini
James Gandolfini
- Born: September 18, 1961, Westwood, New Jersey, U.S.
- Died: June 19, 2013, Rome, Italy
- Occupation: Actor
- Years active: 1992–2013
James Joseph Gandolfini Jr. was an American actor. He is best known for his role as Tony Soprano in the HBO drama series The Sopranos (1999–2007), for which he received three Primetime Emmy Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards, and a Golden Globe Award. Gandolfini also starred in the films True Romance (1993), Get Shorty (1995), The Last Castle (2001), The Man Who Wasn't There (2001), The Mexican (2001), Welcome to the Rileys (2010), Killing Them Softly (2012), and The Drop (2014).
Gandolfini was born in Westwood, New Jersey, to Italian-American parents. He attended Rutgers University, where he studied communications. After graduating, he moved to New York City to pursue a career in acting. He made his film debut in Sidney Lumet's A Stranger Among Us (1992).
Gandolfini's breakthrough role came in the HBO drama series The Sopranos, which premiered in 1999. He played Tony Soprano, a New Jersey mob boss who is struggling to balance his family life with his criminal activities. The Sopranos was a critical and commercial success, and Gandolfini's performance was widely praised. He won three Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, three Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series, and a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama.
After The Sopranos ended in 2007, Gandolfini continued to star in films and television shows. He appeared in the films True Romance (1993), Get Shorty (1995), The Last Castle (2001), The Man Who Wasn't There (2001), The Mexican (2001), Welcome to the Rileys (2010), Killing Them Softly (2012), and The Drop (2014). He also had a recurring role on the HBO drama series Entourage (2004–2011).
Gandolfini died of a heart attack in Rome, Italy, on June 19, 2013, at the age of 51. He was posthumously awarded a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Miniseries or a Movie for his performance in the HBO film The Night Of (2016).
Gandolfini was a talented actor who brought a unique intensity and realism to his roles. He was also a kind and generous person who was loved and respected by his colleagues and fans. He is considered one of the greatest actors of his generation.
