James Gandolfini: September 18, 1961 - June 19, 2013

James Gandolfini has passed away while on holiday in Italy his agent confirmed today. Early reports were that Mr Gandolfini suffered a heart attack, though no one in his inner circle is commenting on the cause of death at this time. Gandolfini was only 51 years old and his passing comes as a total shock to those around him. He had several films in various stages of production and was scheduled to return to HBO in the upcoming season with a new dramatic series "Criminal Justice" though the state of that project is now uncertain.

James Gandolfini made his big screen debut in Sidney Lumet's "A Stranger Among Us" in 1992. Parts in several other high profile projects followed. He appeared in "Get Shorty", "A Civil Action" and "True Romance" a turn that got the attention of David Chase who was casting for his upcoming (at the time) HBO gangster drama "The Sopranos". Gandolfini of course got the part and the rest is American cultural history as he and his cast mates went on to forge on the most unforgettable TV shows ever. After the show ended in 2007 with the famous cut to black Gandolfini didn't simply rest on his residual checks. In the past year alone he appeared in Kathryn Bigelow's "Zero Dark Thirty" took a comedic spin in "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone" and appeared opposite Brad Pitt in "Killing Them Softly".

James Gandolfini was one of the great actors of his time; on par with the likes of Gary Oldman. While his unconventional looks limited the type and number of roles that came his way he poured himself into the roles he got and left everything on the screen. The late Tony Scott perhaps summed up Gandolfini best when he commented that he was "a unique combination of charming and dangerous." That he should be struck down at what is essentially the pinnacle of his career is tragic and disheartening. That his passing should leave his baby girl to grow up without her father is the saddest part of the entire sad affair.

Here he is in his iconic role as Tony Soprano. Lots of cursing and violence here so don't get your knickers in a twist.