20 emotional shots in memory of James Gandolfini

American actor James Gandolfini, best known for his role as mafia boss Tony Soprano in the popular HBO series The Sopranos, has died in Rome while on vacation.

According to HBO spokeswoman Mara Mikalian, the probable cause of death of the 51-year-old artist was a heart attack.

(Total 20 photos)

1. American actor James Gandolfini, starring in the cult television series The Sopranos, has died in Italy at the age of 52. The actor died of a heart attack in Rome, from where he was going to go to Sicily to participate in the festival.

2. In total, during his career, Gandolfini starred in more than 40 films, including such films as Target Number One, The Lonely Hearts, The Man Who Wasn't There and The Last Castle. Gandolfini is most famous for her role as Tony Soprano, the head of a mafia family in the TV series The Sopranos. Pictured: James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano in 1999.

3. The series aired on HBO from 1999 to 2007.

4. For the role of Tony Soprano, Gandolfini was awarded the Emmy Award three times and won the Golden Globe once. Pictured: James Gandolfini with the 2000 Emmy Award.

5. Pictured: James Gandolfini with his then-wife Marcy 2000

6. In the role of Tony Soprano, Gandolfini managed to create the image of a gangster with a human face for the first time. His character could kill his enemies with his own hands, but was also prone to panic attacks. Tony Soprano loved his wife Carmela, was a caring father, and at the same time maintained several extramarital affairs. He regularly visited a psychotherapist who tried to help him cope with his fears and problems in his relationship with his mother. Pictured: James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano in 2007.

7. Pictured: James Gandolfini celebrates winning the Best Actor nomination at the 2008 Screen Actors Guild Awards.

8. Pictured: James Gandolfini and his wife Deborah Lin in 2011.

9. The actor treated his appearance, which allowed him to successfully play character roles, with irony. "The older I get, the more comedic roles they offer me," Gandolfini was quoted as saying by the Daily News. "That's because I look like a toad." Pictured: James Gandolfini speaking on HBO.

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11. Pictured: James Gandolfini at the premiere of "Nicky Deuce" in Los Angeles, May 2013.

12. Pictured: Tony Sirico, Steven Van Zandt, James Gandolfini, Michael Imperioli and Vicente Pastore

13. In the photo: James Gandolfini and another performer from the series "The Sopranos" - Tony Sirico.

14. Pictured: James Gandolfini with his son Michael at a basketball game in Toronto in 2007

15. Pictured: James Gandolfini in New York in 2011.

16. It is worth adding that the series "The Sopranos" in 2013 was named the "Best TV Series in History" by the Writers Guild of America. Pictured: James Gandolfini at the stadium in 2010.

17. The actor is survived by his wife, actress Deborah Lin, a daughter born in 2012, and a son from a previous marriage. Pictured: James Gandolfini with his family.

18. After the final season of the series aired on HBO in 2007, Gandolfini had no such notable artistic projects. Pictured: James Gandolfini talking to fans.

19. Pictured: James Gandolfini at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

20. “We all experience shock and unspeakable sadness at the loss of a dear member of our family,” the broadcaster said in a statement. "He was a special person, a great talent and - more importantly - a gentle and loving person who treated all people with the same respect, regardless of their position or position." In the photo: James Gandolfini with his "comrades-in-arms" on the series.