'Sopranos' Star James Gandolfini Dead at 51

Actor James Gandolfini Jr. died after suffering a heart attack in Italy on 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.

He was twice married, and had one son with his first wife, Marcy Wudarski. He married his second wife, former model Deborah Lin, in 2008.

Jim Leggate, editor of Westwood-Hillsdale Patch, created this article.