Family, friends and fans united in grief Thursday in an emotional sendoff for James Gandolfini, star of the hit TV series "The Sopranos."
Gandolfini, a Golden Globe and three-time Emmy winner for his portrayal of emotionally vulnerable New Jersey mobster Tony Soprano, died June 19 after a heart attack in a hotel in Rome, where he was traveling with his 13-year-old son. He was 51.
Mourners converged on Manhattan's Cathedral of Saint John the Divine, an Episcopal church that is among the world's biggest, well before the mid-morning start of Gandolfini's funeral.
Some 1,500 people filled the pews, including Governor Chris Christie of New Jersey, the state across the Hudson River from New York City where Gandolfini was born and "The Sopranos" was set.
Also present for the two-hour funeral were cast members of the HBO series, whose creator David Chase delivered a eulogy in the form of a letter to his fellow American of Italian heritage.
"We both loved family, work, people, food, alcohol, talking," said Chase, who remembers his friend as "a sad boy, loving and confused... That's why I think you were such a great actor, because of that boy inside."
Longtime friend and fellow thespian Susan Aston affectionately remembered Gandolfini as "my teddy bear friend."
Others in attendance included actor Alec Baldwin, like Gandolfini a veteran of Broadway theater, and Edie Falco, who played Tony Soprano's wife Carmela in the series that ran from 1999 to 2007.
"The end of The Sopranos has a different meaning to me now," said Baldwin on his Twitter feed after the funeral. "Rest in peace, Jimmy."
Gandolfini's second wife Deborah Lin spoke of a loving husband and attentive father to their nine-month-old daughter Liliana who was "always trying to help someone."
Emotions were no less strong outside the cathedral.
"We've been up since 4:30 this morning," said Stephanie Solana, a fan who traveled to the Upper West Side from The Bronx with her two granddaughters to pay her respects.
"My heart is broken. It is really bad for the fans, but he will always live on for me. We'll never forget him."
"I am probably the oldest fan here," echoed a 93-year-old New Yorker, who preferred not to give her name. "He was one of the greatest actors of his generation."
"The Sopranos," she added, was nothing less than "a work of art ... better than Shakespeare. It had a real depth."
On Wednesday, family and close friends gathered away from prying cameras for an invitation-only private viewing at a funeral home in Park Ridge, New Jersey, near where the actor grew up.
Gandolfini had a long film and stage career before lending his heavy stature and big grin to play a depressed mafioso in "The Sopranos."
When he died, the son of an Italian bricklayer was in Italy for the Taormina Film Fest in Sicily where he was to have received an award and participate in a roundtable discussion.
Besides "The Sopranos," Gandolfini appeared in a raft of motion pictures, including director Kathryn Bigelow's 2012 Al-Qaeda thriller "Zero Dark Thirty" in which he portrayed the director of the Central Intelligence Agency.
AFP
Thu Jun 27 2013
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.
Israeli strikes kill 33 people in Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza, medics say
Residents of Jabalia said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp after pushing through suburbs and residential districts.
Liam Payne's ex-partner calls for media restraint after 'painful' death
Cheryl Tweedy used her statement to urge the media to remember they had a seven-year-old son, Bear, who could read the reports.
Analysts: Indonesia's strong MoF leadership team to boost investor confidence
Sri Mulyani Indrawati as head of Indonesia's Ministry of Finance is expected to instil confidence among investors.
Biden offers both a carrot and a stick to Israel as his term nears an end
Israel has frequently resisted US advice and has caused political difficulties for the Biden administration.
Putin says BRICS will generate most of global economic growth
Russian President Vladimir Putin will host a summit of the group in the city of Kazan on Oct. 22-24.
ISIS Malaysia's perspective of Budget 2025
An excellent rakyat-centric budget under the overarching principle of a caring and humane economy.
Budget 2025: Record increase in STR, SARA aid initiatives
The government will provide a significant boost to the Sumbangan Tunai Rahmah (STR) and Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) initiatives next year.
Budget 2025: EPF contributions to be made mandatory for foreign workers – PM Anwar
The government plans to make it compulsory for all non-citizen workers to contribute to the Employees Provident Fund (EPF).
What policies to expect from Indonesia's new President Prabowo
Prabowo will be open to foreign investment, his aide has said, such as by offering investors management of airports and sea ports.
Budget 2025: Govt allocates RM470 mil to empower women's participation in PMKS
The Women's Leadership Apprenticeship Program will be intensified as an effort to produce more female corporate personalities.
Israel sends more troops into north Gaza, deepens raid
Residents of Jabalia in northern Gaza said Israeli tanks had reached the heart of the camp, using heavy air and ground fire.
Indonesia ramps up security ahead of Prabowo's inauguration
Prabowo Subianto will be sworn in as Indonesia's president on Sunday with Vice President-elect, Gibran Rakabuming Raka, also taking office.
Immediate allocation of RM150 mil for local authorities, DID to tackle flash floods
Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim said this allocation is intended to address the recent flash floods that hit the capital and several major towns.
Budget 2025: Sabah, Sarawak to continue receiving among highest allocations - PM
Sabah and Sarawak continues to be prioritised under Budget 2025, with allocations of RM6.7 billion and RM5.9 billion respectively.