RIP Tiony Soprano

[Gob]

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.'

[Crackpot]

The guy was a good if not great actor. He had a range far broader than he was credited for in fact I'd be surprised if you hadn't seen his work before gob he had a way of making it about the role so you didn't notice "him".

[TPFKA@W]

The end of May I had a long time and very dear friend collapse and die. The ambulance crew worked on him for 45 minutes before they had to throw in the towel. He was 47 and other than the fact that he smoked too much he appeared the picture of health. He was very athletic. I was crushed.
I have seen this happen so many times. Men in their prime-gone. Typically it happens in the late 40's to early 50's. For a lot of men this is the time they have their first heart attack. IF they survive it they usually go on to live a long life. Most don't manage to survive it.

Men of this board who are of this age group, I beg of you to get check ups with your doctors, irrespective of your level of fitness and apparent good health. I have just seen this too often.

[Joe Guy]

Tiony?

[Crackpot]

What do you expect from Gob?

[Sue U]

Gob, if you haven't seen The Sopranos, I highly recommend it, especially the first two seasons, which were epic black comedy. The entire cast was terrific, not only Gandolfini, but particularly Edie Falco (as his wife, Carmella) and Lorraine Bracco (as his therapist, Dr. Melfi).

[oldr_n_wsr]

RIP
Way too young
And I do get a full physical once a year and a checkup every three months.

[Gob]

Tiony?

The Welsh spelling of the name, I was honouring him.

[Crackpot]

That's bull it's way to short to be Welsh

[Lord Jim]

In Welsh, "Tony" wold be spelled "Ffrikngdekl"

[dales]

You left off a "Y"....Jim.

[oldr_n_wsr]

Where does that "y" go?

[Crackpot]

Precisely where it doesn't belong.

[Long Run]

He was a terrific actor, whether in his perfect role in the Sopranos, of burly comedic roles like "Bear" in Get Shorty, or the various character roles in films. He seemed like a good person, though we only know what they want us to.

[oldr_n_wsr]

From what I heard, he was very active with helping returning Afghan and Iraq vets.

[dgs49]

From all indications a good person. Incredible that he was only 51.

The hyperbole about his talent as an actor is somewhat understandable - he's dead after all - but come on. No better than what you see in neighborhood theater.