RIP James Gandolfini

[PirateLover]

Multiple news outlets are reporting that James Gandolfini has passed away. Here is what TMZ says:

Gandolfini is believed to have suffered a heart attack. He was 51.

Gandolfini was in Italy to attend the 59th Taormina Film Festival in Sicily -- and he was scheduled to participate in a festival event this weekend with Italian director Gabriele Muccino.

Gandolfini shot to fame playing a hitman in the 1993 hit "True Romance" ... and quickly became a Hollywood legend when he was cast as Tony Soprano in 1999. He won 3 Emmy awards for the role during the show's 6 season run.

Gandolfini also appeared in a ton of huge movies including "Get Shorty," "The Mexican" and "Zero Dark Thirty."

Loved The Sopranos. He was a great actor. Rest in Peace.

[VWL Mom]

I just saw that, he leaves behind his wife and a baby born October 2012. He also has an older child from a previous marriage. May they all find peace and comfort during this time.

[Melanie]

I was telling my hubby earlier that I thought he was fairly newly married and that he had a baby. SO sad.

Andy Cohen showed on Watch What Happens Live tonight a clip from a few weeks ago where someone asked Jamie Lynn Siglar about him. It made me cry. She spoke very highly of him.

I, like so many others, loved The Sopranos. Although he maybe didn't love being associated with just one role, he should be extremely proud of what he created there. What an incredible character!

RIP James.

[MNNHFLTX]

I was so shocked to hear about this. He was a year younger than me and always seemed so full of life.

[Dopey's Girl]

Very sad to lose such a talented person so early in life. He was always such fun to watch, even when he wasn't playing such a nice guy.

[minnie04]

I saw this last night, so sad I really liked him in all his movies, Tony Soprano was my all time favorite. My condolences to his family.

[BriarRose0708]

Although I didn't watch Sopranos, I liked him as an actor in other things like The Last Castle and The Mexican. So sudden and very sad for his family.

[TheDuckRocks]

So very, very sad. Too young. The 13 year old son finding him. The new baby. Just feeling very sad for his family and all the co-workers that cared for him so much, my thoughts and prayers go out to them. For me he will be missed. RIP James.

[DVC2004]

So shocked and sad to see this yesterday. I always liked him and I loved the Sopranos. He made the series- he was definitely the reason to watch. He seemed like a very nice man in real life. I remember he dug someone out when that blizzard hit NYC a few years ago and I recall reading about his involvement with the Wounded Warrior project. Other charities too, I don't remember which now. I am very sad for his family. May he rest in peace and his family find comfort.

[Ian]

Terrible. Just terrible. He was a gifted, gifted actor and an incredible talent to lose so young.

I absolutely adored The Sopranos, but even more than that I was amazed at the range Gandolfini had and how, even though he was so closely associated with Tony Soprano, I was able to watch him in other films and totally believe in his portrayal of the character even if it was a complete 180 from Tony.

He was taken from us far too soon and his talents will certainly be missed.

RIP Mr. Gandolfini

[yjgirl32]

Thoughts and prayers go out to his family and friends. SO sad