RIP James Gandolfini: THE SOPRANOS Star Dead at 51

James Gandolfini, the iconic actor who portrayed mob boss with issues Tony Soprano in HBO’s hit The Sopranos has passed away at the age of 51.

Deadline and TMZ both report that Gandolfini died of a suspected massive heart attack while  in Italy for the Taormina Film Festival.  He was also rumored to be working with director Gabriele Muccino on a Taormina Film Fest event that was supposed to take place this weekend.

Gandolfini was a great actor who went on to play some really good roles after The Sopranos’ controversial season finale in June 2007.  He won three Emmy awards for his role on the hit HBO show.  He was recently in Zero Dark Thirty with Jessica Chastain and Killing Them Softly with Brad Pitt.

RIP James.  Gone too soon.