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James Gandolfini Biography

Birth Name:James Joseph Gandolfini

Birth Place:Westwood, New Jersey, United States

Profession Actor, Producer, Soundtrack

Fast Facts

Auctioned off wardrobes from his character Tony Soprano to the Wounded Warrior Project, yielding nearly $200,000 for the charity
Supported The Octoberwoman Foundation for Breast Cancer Research, appearing at their annual banquet in 2001 in his hometown to help attract crowds
Supported and contributed to charities such as the African Rainforest Conservancy, the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education and the TJ Martell Foundation
Won a Prism Award in 2011 for "Wartorn 1861-2010," his documentary detailing the impact of post-traumatic stress disorder on soldiers and their families throughout American history
Inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2014
While visiting Rome on vacation with his wife and children, he died as a result of cardiac arrest
Worked as a bouncer at a pub on the campus of Rutgers University, his alma mater, then worked as a bartender and club manager before making it as an actor
Quote: "I love hearing people laugh․ Especially in New York, and especially now․ To hear somebody out there just belly-laughing․"
Best known for his role in "The Sopranos" as mob boss Tony Soprano
With his large frame and discreet smile, he often played brutish characters with hidden charm
Knew how to play a number of instruments, such as the trumpet and the saxophone
Was practiced in an Israeli style of Martial Arts known as Krav Maga
Off camera, he was shy and pacifistic, sometimes uncomfortable in the spotlight in which "The Sopranos" put him
A motorcycle fan, he owned a Harley Davidson and a Vespa scooter

Awards

1996Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Cast: nominated
1999OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Cable Series: winner
1999OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a New Drama Series: winner
1999OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1999Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
1999TCA Award-Individual Achievement in Drama: winner
1999Q Award-Best Actor in a Quality Drama Series: nominated
2000Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: winner
2000Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: winner
2000Golden FIPA-TV Series and Serials: Actor: winner
2000Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: winner
2000OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Drama Series: winner
2000Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: winner
2000Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Series, Drama: nominated
2000TCA Award-Individual Achievement in Drama: winner
2000Q Award-Best Actor in a Quality Drama Series: nominated
2001Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2001Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
2001Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
2001OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2001Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: winner
2001Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Series, Drama: nominated
2001TCA Award-Individual Achievement in Drama: winner
2002AFI Award-Actor of the Year - Male - TV Series: winner
2002Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
2002Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2002Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
2002Screen Idol Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role: winner
2002Golden Satellite Award-Best Performance by an Actor in a Series, Drama: nominated
2003Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
2003Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: winner
2003Golden Globe-Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series - Drama: nominated
2003OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2003Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: winner
2003TCA Award-Individual Achievement in Drama: nominated
2004Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Lead Actor: nominated
2004OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2004Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2004TCA Award-Individual Achievement in Drama: nominated
2005Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
2005Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2006OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2006TCA Award-Individual Achievement in Drama: nominated
2007Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: nominated
2007Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2007Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Lead Actor: nominated
2007OFTA Television Award-Best Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2007Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series: nominated
2008Actor-Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series: winner
2008Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series: winner
2008Golden Nymph-Outstanding Actor - Drama Series: nominated
2008Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Nonfiction Special: nominated
2010Gold Derby TV Award-Drama Lead Actor of the Decade: winner
2011Gold Derby TV Award-TV Movie/Mini Supporting Actor: nominated
2011Prism Award-Documentary Program - Mental Health: winner
2012Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Miniseries or Movie: nominated
2012VVFP Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2013BSFC Award-Best Supporting Actor: winner
2013CFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2013HFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2013ICP Award-Best Supporting Performance: nominated
2013PFCS Award-Best Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2013SDFCS Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2013VVFP Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2013WAFCA Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2013WFCC Award-Best Male Images in a Movie: nominated
2013WFCC Award-Best Actor: nominated
2014Movies for Grownups Award-Best Grownup Love Story: winner
2014Actor-Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role: nominated
2014Critics Choice Award-Best Actor in a Comedy: nominated
2014Critics Choice Award-Best Supporting Actor: nominated
2014Independent Spirit Award-Best Supporting Male: nominated
2014ALFS Award-Supporting Actor of the Year: nominated
2022OFTA TV Hall of Fame-Character: winner