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James Gandolfini, whose portrayal of a brutal, emotionally fragile mob boss in HBO's “The Sopranos” helped create one of TV's greatest drama series and turned the mobster stereotype on its head, died Wednesday in Italy. He was 51. In a statement, HBO, and Gandolfini's managers Mark Armstrong and Nancy Sanders, said he died Wednesday while on holiday in Rome. No cause of death was given. Early reports of Gandolfini's death cited a possible heart attack. Gandolfini played Tony Soprano in the HBO series that aired from 1999 to 2007. Gandolfini was nominated for an Emmy six times for the role, winning in 2000, 2001 and 2003.


Vincent Pastore, from left, Steve Van Zandt, James Gandolfini, Michael Imperioli and Tony Sirico, shown in this undated file photo, star in the HBO drama series “The Sopranos”" The show received 16 Emmy nominations, including best drama series and best actor for Gandolfini. (Photo by Anthony Neste/AP Photo/HBO)

Vincent Pastore, from left, Steve Van Zandt, James Gandolfini, Michael Imperioli and Tony Sirico, shown in this undated file photo, star in the HBO drama series “The Sopranos”" The show received 16 Emmy nominations, including best drama series and best actor for Gandolfini. (Photo by Anthony Neste/AP Photo/HBO)




This 1999 photo, supplied by HBO, shows a younger-looking James Gandolfini ,who plays mob boss Tony Soprano, in an episode from the first season of the HBO cable television mob series, “The Sopranos”. (Photo by Anthony Neste/AP Photo/HBO)

This 1999 photo, supplied by HBO, shows a younger-looking James Gandolfini, who plays mob boss Tony Soprano, in an episode from the first season of the HBO cable television mob series, “The Sopranos”. (Photo by Anthony Neste/AP Photo/HBO)




James Gandolfini (left), Steve Van Zandt and Tony Sirico may or may not be up against the wall as “The Sopranos” heads toward a last rendezvous at The Bada Bing. (Photo by HBO)

James Gandolfini (left), Steve Van Zandt and Tony Sirico may or may not be up against the wall as “The Sopranos” heads toward a last rendezvous at The Bada Bing. (Photo by HBO)




In this file photo, originally released by HBO in 2007, Edie Falco portrays Carmela Soprano and James Gandolfini is Tony Soprano in a scene from one of the last episodes of the hit HBO dramatic series “The Sopranos”. (Photo by Craig Blankenhorn/AP Photo/HBO)

In this file photo, originally released by HBO in 2007, Edie Falco portrays Carmela Soprano and James Gandolfini is Tony Soprano in a scene from one of the last episodes of the hit HBO dramatic series “The Sopranos”. (Photo by Craig Blankenhorn/AP Photo/HBO)




In this photo, released by HBO in 2007, James Gandolfini portrays Tony Soprano in a scene from one of the last episodes of the HBO dramatic series “The Sopranos”. (Photo by Craig Blankenhorn/AP Photo/HBO)

In this photo, released by HBO in 2007, James Gandolfini portrays Tony Soprano in a scene from one of the last episodes of the HBO dramatic series “The Sopranos”. (Photo by Craig Blankenhorn/AP Photo/HBO)




James Gandolfini as Pat in “Not Fade Away”, from Paramount Vantage and Indian Paintbrush in Association with The Weinstein Company. (Photo by MCT)

James Gandolfini as Pat in “Not Fade Away”, from Paramount Vantage and Indian Paintbrush in Association with The Weinstein Company. (Photo by MCT)




James Gandolfini and Edie Falco backstage at the Emmy Awards show at the Shrine Auditorium on September 21, 2003. (Photo by Lawrence K. Ho/Los Angeles Times/MCT)

James Gandolfini and Edie Falco backstage at the Emmy Awards show at the Shrine Auditorium on September 21, 2003. (Photo by Lawrence K. Ho/Los Angeles Times/MCT)




From left, Actor James Gandolfini arrives with his wife Deborah Lin at the Keep Memory Alive 16th Annual “Power of Love Gala” honoring Muhammad Ali with his 70th birthday celebration on Saturday, February 18, 2012, in Las Vegas. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/AP Photo)

From left, Actor James Gandolfini arrives with his wife Deborah Lin at the Keep Memory Alive 16th Annual “Power of Love Gala” honoring Muhammad Ali with his 70th birthday celebration on Saturday, February 18, 2012, in Las Vegas. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/AP Photo)




Actor James Gandolfini arrives at the BAFTA Brits to Watch event in Los Angeles, California in this July 9, 2011 file photo. Actor James Gandolfini, best known for his Emmy-winning portrayal of a conflicted New Jersey mob boss in the acclaimed HBO cable television series “The Sopranos”, has died while vacationing in Rome, the network said on June 19, 2013. (Photo by Fred Prouser/Reuters)

Actor James Gandolfini arrives at the BAFTA Brits to Watch event in Los Angeles, California in this July 9, 2011 file photo. Actor James Gandolfini, best known for his Emmy-winning portrayal of a conflicted New Jersey mob boss in the acclaimed HBO cable television series “The Sopranos”, has died while vacationing in Rome, the network said on June 19, 2013. (Photo by Fred Prouser/Reuters)
20 Jun 2013 10:55:00