R.I.P. James "Tony Soprano" Gandolfini Dies: 'Sopranos' Co-Stars React to Actor's Death

James Gandolfini Dies: 'Sopranos' Co-Stars React to Actor's Death

By Yahoo! TV Staff

Associated Press/HBO, Barry Wetcher, File - FILE - This undated publicity photo, released by HBO, shows actor James Gandolfini in his role as Tony Soprano, head of the New Jersey crime family portrayed in HBO's "The Sopranos." HBO and the managers for Gandolfini say the actor died Wednesday, June 19, 2013, in Italy. He was 51. (AP Photo/HBO, Barry Wetcher, File)

 

 

 

Hollywood suffered a huge loss with the sudden passing of James Gandolfini on Wednesday at the age of 51. Gandolfini's managers Mark Armstrong and Nancy Sanders confirmed his death saying, "It is with immense sorrow that we report our client James Gandolfini passed away today while on holiday in Rome, Italy."

 

"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," said "Sopranos" creator David Chase. "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."

 

  Gandolfini's "Sopranos" co-stars shared their grief:

 

Edie Falco (Carmela Soprano): "I am shocked and devastated by Jim's passing. He was a man of tremendous depth and sensitivity, with a kindness and generosity beyond words. I consider myself very lucky to have spent 10 years as his close colleague. My heart goes out to his family." Falco continues saying she will "hold on to the memories of our intense and beautiful time together. The love between Tony and Carmela was one of the greatest I've ever known."

 

Michael Imperioli (Christopher Moltisanti): "Jimmy treated us all like family with a generosity, loyalty, and compassion that is rare in this world.. Working with him was a pleasure and a privilege. I will be forever grateful having had a friend the likes of Jimmy."