BS: Obit: Actor James Gandolfini June 2013

Subject: BS: Obit: Actor James Gandolfini June 2013
From: Wesley S
Date: 19 Jun 13 - 09:32 PM

This story just in - a possible heart attack brings down one of my favorite actors.

(CNN) -- James Gandolfini, best known for his role as an anxiety-ridden mob boss on HBO's "The Sopranos," died in Italy, possibly of a heart attack, an HBO spokeswoman and the actor's managers said Wednesday. He was 51.

Gandolfini was on holiday in Rome, said Mara Mikialian, HBO's vice president for program publicity.The actor was expected to make an appearance at the Taormina Film Fest in Sicily this week, according to the festival.

Notoriously press shy, Gandolfini found fame late in his career with the television role of Tony Soprano.

He won three Emmy Awards for his portrayal of the angst-ridden mob boss who visited a therapist and took Prozac while knocking off people in "The Sopranos," which aired from 1999 to 2007.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: Actor James Gandolfini June 2013
From: Little Hawk
Date: 19 Jun 13 - 09:34 PM

So...they finally got Tony. It hadda happen sometime.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: Actor James Gandolfini June 2013
From: Elmore
Date: 19 Jun 13 - 09:39 PM

R.I.P.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: Actor James Gandolfini June 2013
From: Little Hawk
Date: 19 Jun 13 - 09:45 PM

He died young. Only 51. Geez, I'm livin' on borrowed time here!

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: Actor James Gandolfini June 2013
From: Stu
Date: 20 Jun 13 - 06:21 AM

Brilliant actor, and one of the greatest (if not the greatest) series of all time.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: Actor James Gandolfini June 2013
From: catspaw49
Date: 20 Jun 13 - 08:39 AM

The series changed TV from that point on. A huge part wa his portrayal of Tony. He had a great career which has now been cut short. I posted on FB when we first heard last night as did many others. The backstory on James Gandolfini is as interesting and far more amazing then that of Tony Soprano. sad....


Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: Actor James Gandolfini June 2013
From: Dave the Gnome
Date: 20 Jun 13 - 10:26 AM

Never saw the Sopranos but heard only good about it and Mr Gandolfini. Condolences to his friends and family - I had a good friend in his early fifties pass away recently and it is tough.

Someone who played a Mafia boss dies on his way to Sicily - How long before the conspiracy theories set in?

Dave

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: Actor James Gandolfini June 2013
From: breezy
Date: 20 Jun 13 - 10:58 AM

He was the centre of midday discussion on radio. They mentioned his size. His age is mentioned but not his weight, could that be a factor.

having not seen the sops and not being familiar with the actor I wouldnt know

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: Actor James Gandolfini June 2013
From: Mrrzy
Date: 20 Jun 13 - 02:36 PM

Very sad news, a great actor lost - he was robbed! Poor family. Poor us.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: Actor James Gandolfini June 2013
From: John on the Sunset Coast
Date: 20 Jun 13 - 03:31 PM

Like DtG I never saw the Sopranos (well once in a hotel room). I feel bad for his family, friends and associates that he died at so young an age, and I hope he didn't suffer much. He apparently had an okay career both before and after The Sopranos for which role he will be fondly remembered. The only thing I saw him in was the remake Pelham 123 which was a shadow of the original.

However in the grand scheme of things what with all going on in the U.S. and around the world, CNN chose to spend the first half of AC360 last night to eulogize him where five or ten minutes would have sufficed; that seems excessive to me. In a couple of years he will be considered just another journeyman actor, but not one in the pantheon of greats.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: Actor James Gandolfini June 2013
From: Becca72
Date: 20 Jun 13 - 04:19 PM

Breezy, he was not a small man by any means but he also had a substance abuse problem that may have played a role in his heart issues...

I was crushed by this news. Love Gandolfini and love The Sopranos.

RIP, Tony. Don't Stop Believin'

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: Actor James Gandolfini June 2013
From: Wesley S
Date: 20 Jun 13 - 05:25 PM

"CNN chose to spend the first half of AC360 last night to eulogize him where five or ten minutes would have sufficed; that seems excessive to me. "

I think that Gandolfini was on a show that changed the face of American television. I can think of half a dozen shows that wouldn't be on the air if it wasn't for the Sopranos. He won the Emmy three of the five years he was nominated. That's why his death has received the attention it's been getting.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: Actor James Gandolfini June 2013
From: olddude
Date: 20 Jun 13 - 10:05 PM

never missed the Soprano's he was a great actor in anything he did, TV, movies ... will miss him for sure

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: Actor James Gandolfini June 2013
From: ChanteyLass
Date: 20 Jun 13 - 10:18 PM

Here is a video of Gandolfini's appearance on Sesame Street if anyone is interested. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-v6T4gUmkw

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: Actor James Gandolfini June 2013
From: Becca72
Date: 21 Jun 13 - 08:33 AM

Thank you for sharing that, ChanteyLass.

Subject: RE: BS: Obit: Actor James Gandolfini June 2013
From: Stu
Date: 21 Jun 13 - 09:30 AM

If you haven't seen The Sopranos, the full box set and watch it from start to finish, in order.

Seriously, you will not regret it.