James Joseph Gandolfini Jr was an American actor and producer, best known for his award-winning role of Tony Soprano on the HBO television series, ‘The Sopranos.’ Born in New Jersey, James developed a strong sense of his Italian heritage thanks to his parents. After graduating from Rutgers and acting school, he worked various jobs while landing roles in small-budget films and plays. One of his earliest roles was in the 1993 romantic thriller, ‘True Romance.’ He also appeared in ‘Terminal Velocity,’ ‘Crimson Tied,’ and ‘Get Shorty.’ In 1999, he landed the role that would make him a household name, taking on the beleaguered head of the Soprano crime family on ‘The Sopranos.’ The role won him three Emmys, three SAG Awards, and one Golden Globe. During his tenure on ‘The Sopranos,’ Tony continued to work in movies, appearing in ‘The Last Castle,’ ‘Surviving Christmas,’ and ‘Zero Dark Thirty.’ Sadly, Tony passed away in 2013 due to a heart attack. But, his legacy lives on.
