RIP Tiony Soprano
Posted: Thu Jun 20, 2013 7:26 am
I cannot honestly say I watched any of his stuff, but he seems to be very respected. 51 is no age at all to go.
James Gandolfini has died aged 51 after a suspected heart attack.
The Sopranos star was on vacation in Rome with his teenage son Michael ahead of the 59th Taormina Film Festival in Sicily.
He is survived by his wife Deborah Lin, their nine-month-old daughter Liliana Ruth and his teenage son Michael from an earlier marriage, believed to be with his father in Italy when he died.
The actor and his family had spent a 'beautiful day out together' in Rome before his tragic passing, according to Gandolfini's assistant, Tom Richardson.
According to Mike Sullivan, a close friend of Gandolfini's, Richardson told him: 'When they got back to the hotel, Jimmy went to use the restroom. And something happened in there.
'His sister said he was alive when they took him out in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.'
The teenager's mother, James' first wife Marcy Wudarski, is said to have immediately booked a flight to Italy to be with her son after learning of the actor's death.
In a statement Gandolfini's managers Mark Armstrong and Nancy Sanders confirmed the death, which happened on Wednesday.
'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,' they said.
Cable channel HBO called the actor 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.'
'We're all in shock and feeling immeasurable sadness at the loss of a beloved member of our family,' HBO said.
'He touched so many of us over the years with his humor, his warmth and his humility. Our hearts go out to his wife and children during this terrible time. He will be deeply missed by all of us.'