Actor James Gandolfini, 51, died yesterday after suffering cardiac arrest while in Italy with his 13-year-old son.
The ‘Sopranos’ actor planned to make a side trip to the Taormina Film Festival in Sicily to attend an event with director Gabriele Muccino later this week during his father-son adventure.
Son Michael, who recently graduated from 8th grade, witnessed the collapse of his father, who fell to the floor in their suite at Boscolo Exedra Roma hotel and struggled to breath. The boy called the reception deck for help.
The actor was reportedly still alive when the ambulance left the hotel for Policlinico Umberto I hospital in central Rome. Gandolfini was pronounced dead 40 minutes later, after resuscitation procedures failed to restore a heart beat.
Italian law mandates an autopsy be performed within 24-hours of death. The U.S. Embassy is making arrangements to have the body flown back to the United States.
Marcy Wudarski, Gandolfini’s first wife (1999-2002) and Michael’s mother, flew to Paris yesterday to be with her son.
James Gandolfini was a three-time Emmy Award winner for his television role as mob boss Tony Soprano on the popular HBO show that aired from 1999-2007.
Following his successful run on television, he co-starred in fourteen films, including his role as CIA Director in ‘Zero Dark Thirty.’
In addition to his teenage son, Galdolfini is survived by his second wife, model Deborah Lin, and their 8-month-old daughter Liliana.
HBO issued this statement: “He was special man, a great talent, but more importantly a gentle and loving person who treated everyone no matter their title or position with equal respect. He touched so many of us over the years with his humor, his warmth and his humility.”
‘Sopranos’ creator David Chase called him “a genius.” Former co-star Lorraine Bracco remarked, “We lost a giant today. I am utterly heartbroken.”
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie declared Galdolfini “a New Jersey treasure.”
These photos of father and son were captured on the movie set of the 2009 film ‘The Taking of Pelham 123.’
Photos: WENN