James Gandolfini

Gandolfini in 2008, photo by PRPhotos

Birth Name: James Joseph/John Gandolfini, Jr.

Date of Birth: September 18, 1961

Place of Birth: Westwood, Bergen, New Jersey, U.S.

Date of Death: 19 June, 2013

Place of Death: Rome, Lazio, Italy

Ethnicity: Italian

James Gandolfini was an American actor and producer. He was known for starring as Tony Soprano on the series The Sopranos. His roles also included the films A Stranger Among Us, Money for Nothing, True Romance, Mr. Wonderful, Angie, Terminal Velocity, New World (1995), Crimson Tide, Get Shorty, The Juror, Night Falls on Manhattan, She’s So Lovely, Perdita Durango, Fallen, The Mighty (1998), A Civil Action, 8mm, The Mexican, The Man Who Wasn’t There, The Last Castle, Surviving Christmas, Romance & Cigarettes, Stories of Lost Souls, All the King’s Men, Lonely Hearts (2006), Stories USA, In the Loop, The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009), Where the Wild Things Are, Welcome to the Rileys, Mint Julep, Down the Shore, Violet & Daisy, Killing Them Softly (2012), Not Fade Away, Zero Dark Thirty, The Incredible Burt Wonderstone, Enough Said, and The Drop (2014); the made-for-tv movies 12 Angry Men (1997), Cinema Verite (2011), and Nicky Deuce; and the video game The Sopranos: Road to Respect; as well as works on stage.

James was the son of Santa (Penna) and James Joseph Gandolfini, Sr. His father was born in Tiedoli, Borgotaro, Province of Parma, Emilia-Romagna. His mother was born in Manhattan, New York City, New York, to Italian parents. She was partly raised in Italy. James spoke Italian at home, as a child, and strongly related to his Italian heritage.

James was married to model and actress Deborah Lin, until his death. He had a son, actor Michael Gandolfini, with his former wife, Marcy Wudarski; and a daughter with Deborah. Michael played James’s character Tony in the Sopranos film The Many Saints of Newark.

James’s paternal grandfather was named Attilio Gandolfini (the son of Angelo Gandolfini). Attilio was born in Borgotaro, and moved to the U.S. in 1919.

James’s paternal grandmother was named Maria/Marie Tosta/Costa.

James’s maternal grandfather was named John/Giovanni Penna. Giovanni was from Rottofreno, Piacenza, Emilia-Romagna.

James’s maternal grandmother was named Maria Cipelli. Maria was from Borgonovo Val Tidone, Emilia-Romagna.

Sources: Genealogy of James Gandolfini – https://www.findagrave.com

Genealogy of James Gandolfini (focusing on his father’s side) – http://www.geni.com