When James Gandolfini suffered a fatal heart attack in 2013, his family, friends and fans were united in mourning. Fellow Hollywood star Brad Pitt (who played alongside Gandolfini in three films) said he was "gutted by the loss," while Oscar-winning filmmaker Kathryn Bigelow (who directed Gandolfini in Zero Dark Thirty) called him an "enormous talent."
According to showrunner David Chase, it was Gandolfini's hulking frame, coupled with his ability to appear vulnerable, that made him perfect for the lead role in HBO's The Sopranos (1999-2007) — the show for which he'll forever be remembered.
