James Gandolfini, ‘Sopranos’ Actor, Dies At 51

James Gandolfini, who played Tony Soprano on the hit HBO drama The Sopranos, died on Wednesday after suffering a massive heart attack while on vacation in Italy, according to the late actor's managers and HBO.

"It is with immense sorrow that we report our client James Gandolfini passed away today while on holiday in Rome, Italy," his managers, Mark Armstrong and Nancy Sanders, said in a statement. "Our hearts are shattered and we will miss him deeply. He and his family were part of our family for many years and we are all grieving."

"We're all in shock and feeling immeasurable sadness at the loss of a beloved member of our family,” HBO said in their 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. Our hearts go out to his wife and children during this terrible time. He will be deeply missed by all of us."

Following The Sopranos, which aired from 1999-2007, Gandolfini went on to act in a number of feature films. One of Gandolfini’s latest credits was in the Oscar-nominated Zero Dark Thirty as CIA director Leon Panetta. He’s also starred in The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, Not Fade Away and the independent film Welcome to the Rileys with Kristin Stewart. In 2009, the New Jersey born actor starred on Broadway hit God of Carnage with Jeff Daniels, Hope Davis and Marcia Gay Harden.

Gandolfini is survived by his wife, former model Deborah Lin, daughter Liliana Ruth born last October and son Michael from a previous marriage.

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