Sopranos star James Gandolfini dies of a heart attack

James Gandolfini, best known playing Tony Soprano in the hit TV series ‘The Sopranos’, has died aged 51.

TMZ reports that the actor suffered a massive heart attack in Italy. He was in the country to attend the 59th Taormina Film Festival in Sicily and had also planned a bonding trip with his teenage son Michael.

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.

His managers confirmed the news, saying in a statement:

"It is with immense sorrow that we report our client James Gandolfini passed away today while on holiday in Rome, Italy.

"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."

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Gandolfini achieved fame relatively late in his career starring as the New Jersey mob boss in the hit HBO crime drama ‘The Sopranos’, often called 'the best TV show ever made' by critics.

But he was also well known for key supporting roles in films, such as ‘Zero Dark Thirty’, ‘Killing Them Softly’ and ‘Where the Wild Things Are’. He also memorably played a hitman in the cult classic 'True Romance'.

He had been working on a new HBO series titled 'Criminal Justice' when he died.

When his death was announced tributes began pouring in.

'The Sopranos' creator and writer David Chase said: "He was a genius. Anyone who saw him even in the smallest of his performances knows that. He is one of the greatest actors of this or any time.  A great deal of that genius resided in those sad eyes. I remember telling him many times, 'You don't get it. You're like Mozart.' There would be silence at the other end of the phone.

"For Deborah and Michael and Liliana this is crushing. And it's bad for the rest of the world. He wasn't easy sometimes.  But he was my partner, he was my brother in ways I can't explain and never will be able to explain."

US pay channel HBO said in a statement: "We're all in shock and feeling immeasurable sadness at the loss of a beloved member of our family. He was 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. He touched so many of us over the years with his humour, 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."

'Prometheus' writer Damon Lindelof tweeted: "James Gandolfini. You created an icon. And you cut to black way too abruptly. Thank you, and rest in peace."

Albert Brooks simply said: "R.I.P James Gandolfini. One hell of an actor."

James is survived by his son Michael, as well as his second wife, Deborah Lin, and their eight-month-old daughter Liliana.

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