The casting of James Gandolfini was absolute genius! As an actor, he brought so much humanity to this very complex character, as he did with all the characters he played.....The sadness that we could always see in Gandolfini's eyes gave a dimension to "Tony Soprano" that was just 'there'. He didn't have to work for that. His extraordinary talent made what he did look easy---but, of course, it wasn't easy.
A little movie, "Welcome To The Rileys" (2010) is a perfect example of James Gandolfini's wonderful talent. If you want to see an 'artist' at work-----again, making it look so easy, this is a lovely film, worth renting. Kristen Stewart is pretty amazing, too, as is Melissa Leo.
To lift the deep sadness just a little, here is a video that reminds us what a fantastic cast of actors were assembled for 'The Soprano's'......and we get to laugh a little in this terrible time of loss......
Our hearts go out to all of James Gandolfini's loved ones----most especially, his wife and two children.
RIP dear James G.
- had this to say:
I never saw that show but the story made me sad. That poor family.
- Thursday, June 20, 2013 at 8:37:00 PM PDT
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I was lucky enough to see him on Broadway in God of Carnage and I'm happy to report that he was NOT Tony Soprano. He became a completely different character.
- Friday, June 21, 2013 at 5:55:00 AM PDT
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I love this
your critique of the show is spot on
I still watch episodes I've seen many times just to watch Jimmy and Edie
he was a gentle giant of a man
hugs- Friday, June 21, 2013 at 6:11:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
I didn't watch the show -- well I never watch any series TV-- but I also felt bad. He sounded like a super guy from all that they said about him last night. Just sad he went so early and terrible for his family. When it's someone like him, the country mourns with them as they do get to feeling they know these people when they appear week after week as one character or another.
- Friday, June 21, 2013 at 6:35:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
I was shocked and saddened to see the news of his death when I logged onto to my computer yesterday - it was the first thing I saw on the Yahoo home page.
The Sopranos was such a great series - it was the reason I had HBO. I canceled it when the show went off the air. I was fascinated with this glimpse into another life and culture and the show would not have been the same without James Gandalfini.- Friday, June 21, 2013 at 7:45:00 AM PDT
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I couldn't really justifying paying for the TV package that included the Sopranos so I never got to see what everyone else was raving about. He was evidently a wonderful actor and definitely passed way too young. Thanks for telling us about "Welcome to the Rileys". I will check it out.
- Friday, June 21, 2013 at 4:01:00 PM PDT
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Mr. Gandolfini certainly lived large, though not long. A loving family, a genius in his craft- the hole he's left in the hearts of family and friends will never be filled. RIP.
- Friday, June 21, 2013 at 5:33:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
What a lovely tribute, Naomi, and I must say I agree with every word. We first saw an episode of "The Sopranos" while in Hawaii (suffering jet lag) and we were both hooked immediately. We got caught up by DVD when we came home and then watched every episode thereafter. It is so sad that he died so young. I know he would have wowed all of us again and again with his acting.
- Friday, June 21, 2013 at 6:09:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
It was a shocking loss.
- Friday, June 21, 2013 at 7:54:00 PM PDT
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A beautiful tribute Naomi. A sad thing for a family to lose a father so young. Even though I was not a Soprano fan, I thought he was a good actor. If anything good at all can come of this, perhaps it will teach younger people what cocain use can do to your heart when you are a little older....and 51 is not that old.
- Saturday, June 22, 2013 at 7:06:00 AM PDT
- had this to say:
I have a sad confession, I've never seen The Sopranos, or James act in anything I don't think but I've read all the reviews about him and I just can't get over him dying so young. Makes me realise even more how precious life is and we just don't know how long we have left here on earth. His poor family.
I'll check his work out.- Saturday, June 22, 2013 at 2:36:00 PM PDT
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I loved the clip you posted. What a terrible loss – as you said, such a talent, what else could he have done that we won’t see. He was too young to go. So very sad Naomi.
- Monday, June 24, 2013 at 8:01:00 AM PDT
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I've never seen The Sopranos, but I really must check it out sometime. I remember seeing James Gandolfini in True Romance (I'm a bit of a Christian Slater fan).
Another great gone.- Monday, June 24, 2013 at 2:53:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
such a beautiful tribute to a great actor, naomi - we were all the better for his presence here, even if only by the "screen" - again, a beautiful tribute as only you could do!
- Monday, June 24, 2013 at 3:03:00 PM PDT
- had this to say:
I too was so sad that we have lost a brilliant actor at so young an age.
I used to get goose bumps at the opening shots as he was driving along in the car.
I was grateful to my younger son for introducing me in the first place. Rest in peace Tony.
Just lately my son told me about Breaking Bad and again - although it isn't everybody's cup of tea - it reaches the same heights of excellence as the Sopranos - IMO.- Friday, June 28, 2013 at 4:43:00 AM PDT
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