Jump to content

James Gandolfini: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
The addition to the article is a good faith addition and is interesting in context
Line 42: Line 42:


===''Wartorn: 1861–2010''===
===''Wartorn: 1861–2010''===
In 2010, Gandolfini produced another documentary with [[HBO]], which analyzed the effects of [[posttraumatic stress disorder]] (PTSD) throughout American history, from 1861 to 2010. It featured interviews with American military officials on their views of PTSD and how they are trying to help soldiers affected by it. Letters from soldiers of the [[American Civil War]] and [[World War I]] who were affected by PTSD are examined, along with interviews with soldiers affected by PTSD and their families.
In 2010, Gandolfini produced another documentary with [[HBO]], which analyzed the effects of [[posttraumatic stress disorder]] (PTSD) throughout American history, from 1861 to 2010. It featured interviews with American military officials on their views of PTSD and how they are trying to help soldiers affected by it. Letters from soldiers of the [[American Civil War]] and [[World War I]] who were affected by PTSD are examined, along with interviews with soldiers affected by PTSD and their families. Referencing Gandolfini's work on Alive Dar and Wartorn, in a piece written to honor Gandolfini after his death, Joshua Madden wrote that "it was incredible how smart [Gandolfini] was, no matter what topic I brought up, he knew more about it than anyone else at the table, but he wasn’t arrogant or showy about it. I have met few people who know as much about politics as he did and I think that’s reflected in his later work."<ref>{{cite web| url=http://boompopmedia.com/index/editorial-in-addition-to-being-talented-gandolfini-was-smart-and-kind/|title=Editorial: In addition to being talented, Gandolfini was smart and kind|publisher=BoomPopMedia}}</ref>


==Personal life==
==Personal life==

Revision as of 22:23, 28 June 2013

James Gandolfini
Gandolfini in 2007
Born
James John Gandolfini, Jr.

(1961-09-18)September 18, 1961
Westwood, New Jersey, U.S.
DiedJune 19, 2013(2013-06-19) (aged 51)
Rome, Italy
OccupationActor
Years active1987–2013
Spouse(s)Marcy Wudarski
(m. 1999–2002)[citation needed]
Deborah Lin
(m. 2008–2013, his death)
Children2

James John Gandolfini, Jr. (September 18, 1961 – June 19, 2013) was an American actor best known for his role in The Sopranos as Tony Soprano, a troubled crime boss struggling to balance his family life and career in the Mafia. Gandolfini garnered enormous praise for this portrayal, winning three Emmy Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards and two Golden Globes for Best Actor - Drama Series as well as two further SAG Awards as a member of the series' ensemble. Gandolfini's other roles include the woman-beating Mob henchman Virgil in True Romance, enforcer/stuntman Bear in Get Shorty, and the impulsive Wild Thing Carol in Where the Wild Things Are.

Gandolfini produced the 2007 documentary Alive Day Memories: Home from Iraq, in which he interviewed 10 injured Iraq War veterans. His second documentary was released in 2010; Wartorn: 1861–2010 analyzes posttraumatic stress disorder and its impact on soldiers and families through several wars in American history, from 1861 to 2010. TV Guide ranked him 28 on its "50 Sexiest Stars of All Time" list in 2005.[1]

Early life

Gandolfini was born in Westwood, New Jersey.[2] His mother, Santa, a high school lunch lady, was born in the United States of Italian ancestry and raised in Naples, Italy.[3] His father, James Joseph Gandolfini, Sr., a native of Borgotaro, Italy, was a bricklayer and cement mason and was later the head custodian at Paramus Catholic High School in New Jersey.[3][4][5] James, Sr. earned a Purple Heart in World War II.[6] Gandolfini's parents were devout Roman Catholics and spoke Italian at home. Due to the influence of his parents, he developed a strong sense of being Italian and visited Italy regularly.[4][7]

He grew up in Park Ridge, New Jersey and graduated from Park Ridge High School in 1979, where he played basketball, acted in school plays,[8] and was awarded the title "Class Flirt" in his senior yearbook. He attained a Bachelor of Arts degree in communication studies from Rutgers University in 1982, where he worked as a bouncer at an on-campus pub.[9] He also worked as a bartender and club manager prior to his acting career.[9] He was introduced to acting as a young man living in New York City, when he accompanied friend Roger Bart to a Meisner technique acting class.[10]

Career

The Sopranos

Gandolfini's most acclaimed role was that of Tony Soprano, a New Jersey Mafia boss and family man who was the lead character in the HBO drama The Sopranos, which debuted in 1999 and ran through 2007. He won three Emmys for "Best Actor in a Drama" for his depiction of Soprano, who constantly questions his identity and purpose. Entertainment Weekly listed him as the 42nd Greatest TV Icon of All Time.[11]

Film and stage work

Gandolfini performed in a 1992 Broadway production of On the Waterfront for six weeks. One of his best-known film roles was that of Virgil, a brutal woman-beating mob enforcer, in the 1993 romantic thriller True Romance.[3] Gandolfini said that one of his major inspirations for the role of Virgil, in True Romance, was an old friend of his who was a hitman.[3] In the 1994 film Terminal Velocity, Gandolfini played Ben Pinkwater, a seemingly mild-mannered insurance man who turns out to be a violent Russian mobster. In Get Shorty (1995), he appeared as a bearded ex-stuntman with a Southern accent, and in The Juror (1996), he played a mob enforcer with a conscience.[3] He played the Mayor of New York in the 2009 remake of The Taking of Pelham 123.

Gandolfini returned to HBO in 2007 as the executive producer of the Emmy-nominated documentary special, Alive Day Memories: Home From Iraq, his first project after The Sopranos and the first production for his company Attaboy Films, which was opened in 2006 with producing partner Alexandra Ryan. He returned to the stage in 2009, appearing in Broadway's God of Carnage with Marcia Gay Harden, Hope Davis and Jeff Daniels.[12]

He was executive producer of the 2012 HBO film about Ernest Hemingway and his relationship with Martha Gellhorn, titled Hemingway & Gellhorn, starring Clive Owen and Nicole Kidman.[13] Gandolfini reunited with Sopranos creator David Chase for Not Fade Away (2012), a music-driven production set in 1960s New Jersey, and the latter's feature film debut.[14][15]

Alive Day: Home from Iraq

Gandolfini and Tony Sirico visit with a member of the U.S. Air Force during a USO visit to Southwest Asia, March 31, 2010.

In 2007, Gandolfini produced a documentary with HBO focused on injured Iraq War veterans and their devotion to America, while surveying the physical and emotional costs of war. Ten surviving soldiers were interviewed by Gandolfini, who revealed their thoughts on the challenges they face integrating back into society and family life. They also reflected on the memories of the day when they narrowly escaped death, and what life may have been like in other circumstances.

Wartorn: 1861–2010

In 2010, Gandolfini produced another documentary with HBO, which analyzed the effects of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) throughout American history, from 1861 to 2010. It featured interviews with American military officials on their views of PTSD and how they are trying to help soldiers affected by it. Letters from soldiers of the American Civil War and World War I who were affected by PTSD are examined, along with interviews with soldiers affected by PTSD and their families. Referencing Gandolfini's work on Alive Dar and Wartorn, in a piece written to honor Gandolfini after his death, Joshua Madden wrote that "it was incredible how smart [Gandolfini] was, no matter what topic I brought up, he knew more about it than anyone else at the table, but he wasn’t arrogant or showy about it. I have met few people who know as much about politics as he did and I think that’s reflected in his later work."[16]

Personal life

Gandolfini with Rose McGowan in Kuwait, March 31, 2010.

Gandolfini maintained ties with his Park Ridge hometown by supporting its The Octoberwoman Foundation for Breast Cancer Research. He appeared at its annual October banquet and often brought other Sopranos cast members to help draw larger crowds. He resided in New York City, and owned a lot on the Lake Manitoba Narrows.[17] In 2009, he purchased a home in the hills of Tewksbury Township, New Jersey, U.S.[18]

Gandolfini and his first wife, Marcy Wudarski, divorced in December 2002. They have a teenaged son named Michael.[19]

August 30, 2008, after two years of dating, Gandolfini married former model Deborah Lin, who was 40 years old at the time, in her hometown of Honolulu, Hawaii.[20] Their daughter, Liliana Ruth Gandolfini, was born in Los Angeles, California, on October 10, 2012.[21]

A fan of motorcycles, Gandolfini owned a Harley-Davidson and a Vespa scooter. On May 4, 2006, he was riding the Vespa in New York City traffic when it was hit by a taxi cab, resulting in knee surgery which postponed for three months the filming of the final Sopranos episodes.

Death and reaction

Gandolfini died on June 19, 2013, during a brief vacation in Rome, Italy. He was expected to travel to Sicily on June 22 to receive an award at the Taormina Film Fest. Following a day of sightseeing in Rome in sweltering heat, Gandolfini's 13-year-old son Michael discovered him around 10 pm local time on the bathroom floor at the Boscolo Exedra Hotel in Rome's Piazza della Repubblica. Michael called hotel reception, who in turn called emergency paramedics.[19] Ambulance staff arrived around 10:40 pm and attempted to resuscitate Gandolfini, who was reportedly still alive at the hotel but subsequently died en route to the hospital.[22] An autopsy on Gandolfini confirmed that he had died of a heart attack.[23]

Word of his death spread among Gandolfini's friends, former co-stars, and fans. Politicians such as John McCain and Chris Christie took to the Internet to respond to his death.[24][25][26] Christie ordered all New Jersey State buildings to fly flags at half staff on June 24, to honor Gandolfini when his remains return to the United States.[27] The people of Gandolfini's hometown, Park Ridge, New Jersey started a Facebook page to discuss plans to honor him, including naming a street after him and renaming the Little Theater at Park Ridge High School, where he did his first performances, after him.[28]

The day following Gandolfini's death, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, which features Gandolfini's Sopranos co-star Steven Van Zandt on guitar, gave a full album performance of their 1975 classic Born to Run and dedicated it to Gandolfini.[29]

Gandolfini's body was returned to the United States on June 23. Gandolfini family spokesman Michael Kobold thanked Italian and American authorities for expediting the repatriation process, which normally takes 7 full days.[30] Broadway dimmed theater marquee lights on the night of Wednesday, June 26 in Gandolfini's honor.[31] His funeral service was held on June 27, 2013 at the Episcopal Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in Morningside Heights, New York City.[32][33]

Filmography

Film

Year Film Role Notes
1987 Shock! Shock! Shock! Orderly
1992 A Stranger Among Us Tony Baldessari
1993 Italian Movie Angelo
1993 Money for Nothing Billy Coyle
1993 True Romance Virgil
1993 Mr. Wonderful Mike
1994 Angie Vinnie
1994 Terminal Velocity Ben Pinkwater
1995 Le Nouveau monde Will Caberra
1995 Crimson Tide Lt. Bobby Dougherty
1995 Get Shorty Bear
1996 The Juror Eddie
1997 Night Falls on Manhattan Joey Allegretto
1997 She's So Lovely Kiefer
1997 Perdita Durango Willie "Woody" Dumas
1997 12 Angry Men Juror #6
1997 Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil Diner cook Uncredited
1998 Fallen Lou
1998 The Mighty Kenny Kane
1998 A Civil Action Al Love
1999 A Whole New Day Vincent Short film, included in Stories of Lost Souls
1999 8mm Eddie Poole
2001 The Mexican Winston Baldry L.A. Outfest Award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
2001 The Man Who Wasn't There Big Dave Brewster
2001 The Last Castle Colonel Winter
2004 Surviving Christmas Tom Valco
2006 Romance & Cigarettes Nick Murder
2006 Lonely Hearts Det. Charles Hilderbrandt
2006 All the King's Men Tiny Duffy
2006 Club Soda The man Short film, included in Stories USA
2008 American Breakdown Himself Archive footage
2009 In the Loop Lt. Gen. George Miller Chlotrudis Award for Best Cast
2009 The Taking of Pelham 123 Mayor of New York
2009 Where the Wild Things Are Carol Voice
2010 Welcome to the Rileys Doug Riley
2010 Mint Julep Mr. G
2011 Down the Shore Bailey
2011 Violet & Daisy Michael
2011 Cinema Verite Craig Gilbert
2012 Killing Them Softly Mickey
2012 Zero Dark Thirty CIA Director Nominated – Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Ensemble
2012 Not Fade Away Pat
2013 The Incredible Burt Wonderstone Doug Munny
2013 Nicky Deuce Bobby Eggs
2014 Animal Rescue In post-production

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1997 Gun Walter Difideli Episode: "Columbus Day"
1999–2007 The Sopranos Tony Soprano 86 episodes
AFI Award for Actor of the Year - Male - TV Series (2001)
Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama (1999)
Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (2000, 2001, 2003)
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series (1999, 2002, 2007)
Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (1999, 2007)
TCA Award for Individual Achievement in Drama (1999, 2000, 2001)
Nominated – Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama (2000, 2001, 2002)
Nominated – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (1999, 2004, 2007)
Nominated – Golden Nymph Award for Outstanding Actor – Drama Series (2008)
Nominated – Satellite Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama (1999, 2000, 2001)
Nominated – Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series (2000, 2001, 2004, 2006)
Nominated – Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2006)
Nominated – TCA Award for Individual Achievement in Drama (2003, 2004, 2006)
Nominated – Viewers for Quality Television Award for Best Actor (2000)
2008 Alive Day Memories: Home from Iraq Producer
Nominated – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Nonfiction Special
2010 Wartorn: 1861–2010 Producer
PRISM Award for Best Documentary Program – Mental Health
2012 Hemingway & Gellhorn Producer
Nominated – Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Miniseries

References

  1. ^ TV Guide Book of Lists. Running Press. 2007. p. 202. ISBN 0-7624-3007-9.
  2. ^ James Gandolfini, hbo.com. Retrieved May 22, 2007.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Youtube interview of James Gandolfini – Inside the Actors Studio, 2004". YouTube. May 15, 2007. Retrieved April 11, 2010.
  4. ^ a b "This Is James Gandolfini, He's Not Tony, The Actor Behind The Sopranos Mob Boss Is More Like "A 260-Pound Woody Allen"". CBS News. April 8, 2007. Retrieved April 11, 2010.
  5. ^ James Gandolfini profile, E!. Retrieved May 27, 2007[dead link]
  6. ^ Heilpern, John (April 2009). "Out to Lunch: Curtains for Gandolfini". Vanity Fair.
  7. ^ "James Gandolfini – Britannica Online Encyclopedia". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved April 11, 2010.
  8. ^ Goldman, Jeff (June 20, 2013). "Yearbook photos of James Gandolfini acting, playing basketball at Park Ridge High School". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
  9. ^ a b "James Gandolfini". AskMen.com. June 2013. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
  10. ^ "25 (Not Quite) Random Facts About James Gandolfini". Broadway.com: Broadway Buzz. Retrieved September 13, 2010.
  11. ^ "The 50 Greatest TV Icons - JAMES GANDOLFINI". Entertainment Weekly. December 27, 2007. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
  12. ^ He received a Tony Award nomination in the category of Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play for his role in the play, but lost to Geoffrey Rush from the play, Exit the King. Gandolfini Stars on Broadway in God of Carnage[dead link] The Associated Press, January 12, 2009
  13. ^ "HBO Orders Hemingway Film With Nicole Kidman and Clive Owen". TV Guide.
  14. ^ McNary, Dave (January 24, 2011). "Gandolfini, Chase reconnect at 'Twylight' ". Variety. Reed Business Information. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  15. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (January 24, 2011). " 'Sopranos' Big-Screen Reunion: James Gandolfini Joins David Chase's New Movie". Deadline.com. Retrieved February 1, 2011.
  16. ^ "Editorial: In addition to being talented, Gandolfini was smart and kind". BoomPopMedia.
  17. ^ "Everybody's scared to upset Mr. Soprano". Winnipeg Free Press. October 17, 2007. Retrieved April 11, 2010.
  18. ^ Slaght, Veronica (September 24, 2009). "'Sopranos' star James Gandolfini buys home in Tewksbury". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
  19. ^ a b "James Gandolfini discovered by 13-year-old son". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
  20. ^ Graham Smith (September 1, 2008). "Sopranos 'Godfather' James Gandolfini marries his former model fiancée in Hawaii". Daily Mail. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
  21. ^ "James Gandolfini Welcomes Daughter". USA Today. October 12, 2012. Retrieved June 19, 2013.
  22. ^ "James Gandolfini died of cardiac arrest". News24. Associated Press. June 20, 2013.
  23. ^ "Gandolfini autopsy confirms heart attack as cause of death: source". Yahoo News. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  24. ^ "Reactions to the Death of James Gandolfini". The New York Times. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  25. ^ "Stars share reaction to James Gandolfini's death". Yahoo!. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  26. ^ "James Gandolfini's death stirs reactions from stars". RGJ. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  27. ^ "Governor Christie orders flags at half-staff on Mon., June 24 to recognize James Gandolfini". northjersey.com. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  28. ^ "Ex-classmates want street named after Gandolfini". FIOS News 1. Retrieved June 26, 2013.
  29. ^ "Bruce Springsteen Dedicates 'Born to Run' to James Gandolfini Onstage". Rolling Stone. June 21, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  30. ^ "James Gandolfini's body arrives in New Jersey as plans for funeral at Manhattan cathedral are announced". Daily Mail. UK. June 24, 2013. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
  31. ^ "Broadway to dim marquee lights for Gandolfini". United Press International. Retrieved June 25, 2013.
  32. ^ "Funeral for James Gandolfini scheduled for Thursday". Fox5 New York. Retrieved June 23, 2013.
  33. ^ Levin, Gary (June 27, 2013). "'Sopranos' cast turns out for James Gandolfini's funeral". USA Today. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to James Gandolfini.

Template:Persondata

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=James_Gandolfini&oldid=562031246"