A prominent representative of American cinema, he easily embodied complex dramatic characters on the screen. The most recognizable role is the mafioso from the series "The Sopranos".
Biography
Born in 1961 in Westwood, New Jersey. His mother was an American citizen from birth, but spent her early years in Naples, Italy. My father was born in Italy, in America he worked as a builder, was engaged in bricklaying and cement works.
Despite a good command of English, Gandolfini's parents spoke Italian at home, expressing a passionate love for Italy.
Graduated from Park Ridge High School in 1979. At school he played basketball with interest, participated in school theatrical performances. After graduation, he entered Rutgers University. During his studies, he worked part-time in a pub as a security guard. After completing his education, he moved to New York. Together with his friend Roger Bart, he began attending acting classes at The Gately Poole Conservatory.
Career
In 1992, he first appeared on the stage in a play based on the novel A Streetcar Named Desire by William Tennessee as Steve Hubbell. In total, he played this character 168 times.
In 1999 he got the lead role in the television series "The Sopranos". Gandolfini's character is a gangster gang boss trying to find a balance between his family and criminal activities. The series aired for 8 years, during the entire period received the highest ratings from critics.
In 2007, he shot a documentary about Iraqi war veterans. Gandolfini presented the stories of ten soldiers who spoke about the mental and emotional consequences of participating in hostilities, problems in relations with their families.
In 2012 he took part in the crime thriller "Killing Them Softly", played Mickey, a contract killer.
In 2013, he starred in Enough Said, a comedy-drama that tells the story of a girl starting a new relationship after a divorce. Gandolfini played her lover, an aging man with his own problems. The film was highly acclaimed by critics.
Personal life
In 1999 he married Marcy Woodaski. In the same year, James gave birth to their first child, named Michael. Family life did not work out, the couple divorced in 2002. The divorce proceedings lasted for 7 months.
In 2004, he began dating former model Deborah Lin. Two years later, the couple got married in the bride's hometown of Honolulu. In 2012, Deborah and James had a daughter.
In June 2013, while on a trip to Sicily, he was hospitalized with a heart attack. Despite the efforts of the doctors, the actor died. Gandolfini's body was transported to America for the farewell procedure. On June 26, Broadway theaters turned off their lights to pay tribute to the actor.
