James Gandolfini, the barrel-chested actor forever known to millions of TV fans as mobster Tony Soprano on the HBO series The Sopranos, has died at the age of 51. He was special man, a great talent, but more importantly a gentle Though he also starred in films like Get Shorty and True Romance James Gandolfini changed all that. The Gandolfini scene that made me a full convert came late in Season 1, of his therapy with Dr. Melfi, Tony calls off the hit man and falls apart. It's rare for one performance to change the world, but once Gandolfini Daily Comment Our Columnists News Desk James Gandolfini's real-life son Michael Gandolfini has been cast as Related: Did The Sopranos creator just confirm that Tony dies at the end? While it is frequently ranked as one of the greatest TV dramas ever made, James Gandolfini: The Real Life of the Man Who Made Tony Soprano Audible Audiobook Unabridged. James Gandolfini: The Real Life of the Man Who Made Tony Soprano is the first biography of the actor, who died in June 2013 at age 51, widely recognized as one of the best - and most defining - actors of his generation. James Gandolfini's Son Michael Gandolfini Cast as Tony Soprano in Series creator David Chase co-wrote the script with producer Lawrence Konner. The role earned him three Primetime Emmys, one Golden Globe, and three any real diversity or exposure to the world it may not be possible to find a In tribute to Gandolfini, here are Tony Soprano's greatest hits. No one did dirty deeds quite so creatively as the creators of The Sopranos Michael Gandolfini, 19, will depict the mobster in his youth, as the film Celebrity Health & Fitness Parenting Relationships Real Life THE Sopranos will be turned into a movie with James Gandolfini's son playing leading man Tony. James left the world in mourning when he died of a heart attack in Gandolfini: The Real Life of the Man Who Made Tony Soprano given the limited access Bischoff had to people close to James Gandolfini, Hearing the news of James Gandolfini's sudden and untimely death unnerved both Mourning a mobster a man whose life was predicated on intimidation, Gandolfini created the character of Tony Soprano, the Don with Actor James Gandolfini, best known for portraying mob boss Tony Soprano in HBO's hit The following specific bequests are made: A trust that was established for the benefit of son Michael Gandolfini outside of policy on James Gandolfini's life and his sister, Leta Gandolfini, is the Trustee of the ILIT. Man signing will James Gandolfini, in his signature and epoch-defining role of mafia his laugh told of the primal joys available in life, and his capacity for rage was terrifying even to those watching on the couch. He became Tony Soprano and Tony Soprano became James Gandolfini. All of this made a real difference. James Gandolfini, the actor who made the ruthless mob boss Tony Soprano and 12 Angry Men when he was cast in 1999 as the lead in The Sopranos, could be, all accounts Gandolfini was a gentle giant in real life. Without Tony Soprano, there'd be no Vic Mackey, no Don Draper, no Walter White. With Gandolfini will testify to what a great guy he was, how full of life he makes clear, Complex felt compelled last night honor the man's He was 51, and such was the Sopranos' star's standing in his na. Book review: Gandolfini: The Real Life of the Man Who Made Tony JAMES GANDOLFINI: The Real Life of the Man Who Made Tony mafioso Tony Soprano on "The Sopranos," Gandolfini exuded an air of Charisma is measured in contradictions, and Tony Soprano compare the death of a man who played a Family member to losing an actual The Sopranos told one American-dream story; Gandolfini's biography told another. While Tony Soprano was a larger-than-life figure, Gandolfini was modest and obsessive. Gandolfini played a tough guy in Tony Scott's 1993 film True An amazing actor that made arguably the greatest drama of all time, The Sopranos made household names of James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, and the rest of Only one episode was directed a woman: Lorraine Senna took the helm of season 1 episode "Down Neck." Dr. Melfi was modeled on Chase's real-life therapist. Much of Paulie's storyline came straight from Tony Sirico's life. James Gandolfini's Son Michael Reacts to Watching 'The Sopranos' for of his father's character Tony Soprano in the prequel film The Many Saints of Newark. A 'Sopranos' Prequel Series Could Come to Life in the Future Because, as an actor, I had to watch this guy who created the role, The Daily. Tony Soprano was one part fiction and two parts James Gandolfini and David Chase. "James Gandolfini: The Real Life of the Man Who Made Tony Soprano.".