Gandolfini’s Death Ignites Loving Tributes

Tony Soprano always made us worry about how he was going to meet his fate. While that legacy will live on forever, James Gandolfini- the imposing actor who won 3 Emmy Awards for his portrayal as the lovable but flawed mafia boss on The Sopranos- has passed away at the age of 51.

The Sopranos, Gandolfini's most famous role

The Sopranos, Gandolfini’s most famous role

In Rome for an appearance at a film festival, Gandolfini fell ill at his hotel and was unable to be resuscitated by medical staff. While a cause of death is uncertain at the moment, early speculation by emergency personnel is that the actor suffered a massive heart attack.

Perhaps the most notable aspect of this story is not the death of Gandolfini himself (who had always been a sizable man) but the outpouring of affection from those who knew him. Making his mark by playing a character who, despite being ultimately lovable, committed some heinous acts as head of a mafia family, those who knew him best have nothing but the warmest things to say about him:

Edie Falco, who portrayed his wife on TV, said he was a “man of tremendous depth and sensitivity, with a kindness and generosity beyond words. I consider myself very lucky to have spent 10 years as his close colleague. My heart goes out to his family,” Falco said in a statement Thursday. “The love between Tony and Carmela was one of the greatest I’ve ever known.”

Mark Ruffalo tweeted: “Oh Jimmy. It’s a crying shame. You stormed in and out. Your voice like velvet granite. From a whisper to a shout. A comet of a man.”

Rest in Peace

Rest in Peace

 

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