RIP James Gandolfini

I am sad to report that James Gandolfini has passed away at the age of 51.

The actor succumbed to a heart attack while in Italy. Gandolfini is well known for playing the role of Tony Soprano in HBO’s popular mob drama, THE SOPRANOS. He’s been on screen since the late 80s. One of the first films I ever saw him in was when he played Virgil in TRUE ROMANCE. He and Patricia Arquette has one of the best knock down drag outs I’ve seen, certainly one of the most memorable. He was most recently seen in ZERO DARK THIRTY and THE INCREDIBLE BURT WONDERSTONE. Gandolfini was also soon to start working on Dennis Lehane’s ANIMAL RESCUE which stars Tom Hardy and Noomi Rapace.

Chris Albrecht who greenlit THE SOPRANOS told Deadline this, “Absolutely stunned. I got the word from Lorraine Bracco and just got off with Brad Grey who had just heard from David Chase. We had all became a family. This is a tremendous loss.”

Our prayers are with the Gandolfini family during this difficult time.