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James Gandolfini funeral held in New York | James Gandolfini funeral held in New York |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Family, friends and fans have paid tribute to The Sopranos star James Gandolfini at his funeral in New York, a week after he died in Italy. | Family, friends and fans have paid tribute to The Sopranos star James Gandolfini at his funeral in New York, a week after he died in Italy. |
David Chase, who created the show that made the actor a household name, was among the speakers. | |
"You were a good boy," he said during the ceremony at New York's Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine. | "You were a good boy," he said during the ceremony at New York's Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine. |
Gandolfini, who was 51, died following a heart attack last Wednesday while on holiday with his son. | Gandolfini, who was 51, died following a heart attack last Wednesday while on holiday with his son. |
One of four speakers at the funeral, Chase remembered Gandolfini in the form of a letter to the actor, in the present tense, saying he brought the traits of a sad boy, "amazed and confused," to the role of Tony Soprano. | One of four speakers at the funeral, Chase remembered Gandolfini in the form of a letter to the actor, in the present tense, saying he brought the traits of a sad boy, "amazed and confused," to the role of Tony Soprano. |
'Worked so hard' | 'Worked so hard' |
"You could see it in your eyes. That's why you were a great actor." | "You could see it in your eyes. That's why you were a great actor." |
Chase recalled that Gandolfini once told him: "You know what I want to be? A man. That's all. I want to be a man." Chase said he marvelled upon hearing that, since the actor represented a man so many others wanted to be. | Chase recalled that Gandolfini once told him: "You know what I want to be? A man. That's all. I want to be a man." Chase said he marvelled upon hearing that, since the actor represented a man so many others wanted to be. |
Gandolfini's widow, Deborah, and two family friends also spoke during the service. | Gandolfini's widow, Deborah, and two family friends also spoke during the service. |
The actor's portrayal of the mob boss in the HBO series won him three Emmy Awards as best actor in a drama series. The show ran for six seasons. | The actor's portrayal of the mob boss in the HBO series won him three Emmy Awards as best actor in a drama series. The show ran for six seasons. |
Aida Turturro, who played Gandolfini's sister in The Sopranos, was one of the first from the show's large cast to arrive for the funeral service at 10:00 EST, which was led by the Very Reverend Dr James A Kowalski. | Aida Turturro, who played Gandolfini's sister in The Sopranos, was one of the first from the show's large cast to arrive for the funeral service at 10:00 EST, which was led by the Very Reverend Dr James A Kowalski. |
Some 1,500 seats had been set up in the church for celebrities, fellow actors and members of the public who wanted to pay their respects to the star. | Some 1,500 seats had been set up in the church for celebrities, fellow actors and members of the public who wanted to pay their respects to the star. |
Several members of the cast of The Sopranos attended, including Edie Falco, Joe Pantoliano, Dominic Chianese, and Steve Buscemi. | Several members of the cast of The Sopranos attended, including Edie Falco, Joe Pantoliano, Dominic Chianese, and Steve Buscemi. |
The New Jersey Governor, Chris Christie also made an appearance. | The New Jersey Governor, Chris Christie also made an appearance. |
Laila Robins, who played Gandolfini's on-screen mother as a young woman in the early seasons, remembered his friendly and humble nature. | Laila Robins, who played Gandolfini's on-screen mother as a young woman in the early seasons, remembered his friendly and humble nature. |
"He had an acting coach on set back then because he just wanted to do a good job. That was so sweet, and I remember that about him the most - just how badly he wanted to do a good job. He worked so hard," she said. | "He had an acting coach on set back then because he just wanted to do a good job. That was so sweet, and I remember that about him the most - just how badly he wanted to do a good job. He worked so hard," she said. |
The funeral took place a day after a private family wake was held in New Jersey on Wednesday. | The funeral took place a day after a private family wake was held in New Jersey on Wednesday. |
Broadway theatres later paid tribute to the actor, who was nominated for a Tony Award in 2009 for his role in God of Carnage, by dimming their lights. | Broadway theatres later paid tribute to the actor, who was nominated for a Tony Award in 2009 for his role in God of Carnage, by dimming their lights. |