Acting legend James Gandolfini: Mafia boss, hitman, mayor, and other notable roles
"The Sopranos" star James Gandolfini won a Golden Globe Award for "Best Actor in a Television Drama Series" in 2000
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Actor James Gandolfini gained the praise of fans and critics during and after playing the iconic role of Tony Soprano. The American drama series "The Sopranos" aired for six seasons from 1999-2007. (Getty Images)
Gandolfini grew up in New Jersey. He was raised by his Italian parents James Joseph Gandolfini Sr. and Santa (Penna) Gandolfini. He began his acting career in Hollywood playing the Orderly in the 1987 movie "Shock! Shock! Shock!" He also appeared in "Night Falls on Manhattan" alongside Andy Garcia. (Getty Images)
Gandolfini married his first wife, Marcy Wudarski, in 1999. They had a child together, Michael Gandolfini, a few months later. They divorced in 2002. (Getty Images)
Gandolfini married his second wife Deborah Lin in 2008. They were together until he passed on June 19, 2013. They shared a daughter, Liliana Gandolfini, born in 2012. Photographed here is Gandolfini and Lin at the 2009 Tony Awards. He was nominated for Lead Actor in a play that same year. (Getty Images)
Gandolfini photographed with his young son Michael Gandolfini in 2002. (Getty Images)
Gandolfini and his son Michael at Toronto Raptors vs. New Jersey Nets game in 2007. (Getty Images)
James Gandolfini produced a TV documentary where he interviewed American soldiers who returned from Iraq. The HBO doc titled "Alive Day Memories: Home from Iraq" was nominated for a Primetime Emmy award. He spoke on the documentary at the 2007 HBO Summer TCA Press Panel. (Getty Images)
James Gandolfini passed away on June 19, 2013 at 51-years-old following a heart attack in Rome, Italy. In September 2013, Gandolfini's movie "Enough Said" was released. He played the love interest of Julia Louis-Dreyfus. (Getty Images)
Gandolfini's funeral was held on June 27, 2013. David Chase, writer and producer of the "Sopranos," read a eulogy for Gandolfini. Photographed here is Gandolfini's casket being carried out of The Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine. (Getty Images)
Gandolfini's son followed in his footsteps and made his acting debut in "Ocean's 8" as a busboy. Since then, he has acted in the TV series "The Deuce," the movie "Cherry," and played teenage Tony Soprano in "The Many Saints of Newark." Michael turned 23 years old in May 2022. (Getty Images)