Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Broadway's bright lights to dim in tribute to James Gandolfini

 

Matilda Battersby
Wednesday 26 June 2013 10:29 BST
Comments
Marcia Gay Harden and James Gandolfini in a scene from the play 'God of Carnage,' 1999
Marcia Gay Harden and James Gandolfini in a scene from the play 'God of Carnage,' 1999 (AP)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

The bright lights of New York’s theatreland will go out tonight in honour of The Sopranos star James Gandolfini who died a week ago aged 51.

Broadway theatres will simultaneously turn down their lights at 8pm local time this evening in tribute to the American actor who was a star of the stage, film and television.

The Broadway League boss Charlotte St. Martin described him as “a consummate actor who brought individuality to each role”.

She said: “Whether on screen or on a Broadway stage, he made every role believable and seemingly effortless.”

Gandolfini, who was best known for playing mobster boss Tony Soprano in the long-running HBO drama The Sopranos, also had a number of diverse credits as a stage and film actor.

On Broadway he received a Tony Award nomination for best actor in 2009 for his role in God Of Carnage. He also appeared in a notable production of On the Waterfront in 1995 having made his Broadway debut in 1992’s A Streetcar Named Desire.

Gandolfini died of a heart attack in Rome on Wednesday last week having been found collapsed in his hotel.

The actor had been due to attend the Taormina Film Festival in Sicily where he was to receive a special prize on Saturday.

He is survived by wife Deborah Lin, their baby daughter Liliana, and his son, Michael, from his first marriage.

St. Martin said: "Our thoughts go out to his family and friends, and certainly to all of his fans who felt as if they knew his characters."

His funeral will be held at 10am on Thursday in New York at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in