Sopranos Star James Gandolfini Dead at 51

This was posted by Mike Pignataro and reported by Leggate

Actor James Gandolfini died after suffering a heart attack in Italy Wednesday, HBO confirmed. He was 51.

"We're all in shock and feeling immeasurable sadness at the loss of a beloved member of our family," HBO vice president of program publicity Mara Mikialian said in a release. "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."

Gandolfini was in Italy for the Taormina Film Festival, at which he was expected to appear as a guest for the closing gala on Saturday.

He was best known for his role as mafia boss Tony Soprano on the hit HBO drama "The Sopranos," for which he won three Emmys.

"Our hearts are shattered and we will miss him deeply," his agents, Mark Armstrong and Nancy Sanders said in a statement. "He and his family were part of our family for many years and we are all grieving."

Gandolfini starred in numerous popular films, first reaching success as a hitman in 1993's "True Romance." He appeared in more than 40 movies, including "Get Shorty," the 1997 remake of "12 Angry Men" and "Zero Dark Thirty." His most recent movie, indie film "Down the Shore," featured Gandolfini as a down-on-his-luck boardwalk amusement owner dealing with the death of his sister and troubles from his past.

Though he was best known for his roles as gruff characters, Gandolfini also produced two documentaries examining the post-war experience for veterans coming home from Iraq.

Gandolfini was a Bergen County native. He was born at the Pascack Valley Hospital in Westwood on September 18, 1961 and grew up in nearby Park Ridge, where he played high school basketball and was reportedly a lifelong fan of The Ridge Diner.

He was also a supporter of the Octoberwoman Foundation for Breast Cancer Research, based in Park Ridge. He appeared as a celebrity guest at the charity's functions numerous times to help fundraise.

He attended Rutgers University.

Gandolfini's sisters still live in Bergen County. Johanna Antonacci is the manager of the Superior Court's Family Division and resides in Montvale. Leta Gandolfini resides in Westwood. His father, who died in 2005, was the longtime director of facilities at Paramus Catholic High School.

Stay with Patch for more on this developing story.