R.I.P. James Gandolfini (Paterson, Wayne: high school, university, living in)

[johnp292]

If you haven't heard, James Gandolfini, who played NJ Mob boss Tony Soprano, passed away earlier today.

He was born in NJ, and his series was set in North Jersey. It featured locales in many areas where I lived and grew up. The Lou Costello statue in Paterson and Fountains of Wayne are two I remember well.

He will be missed.

[AnesthesiaMD]

Originally Posted by johnp292

If you haven't heard, James Gandolfini, who played NJ Mob boss Tony Soprano, passed away earlier today.

While not a New Jerseyan, his series was set in North Jersey. It featured locales in many areas where I lived and grew up. The Lou Costello statue in Paterson and Fountains of Wayne are two I remember well.

He will be missed.

He WAS very much a New Jerseyan!

Gandolfini was born in Westwood, New Jersey.[2] His mother, Santa, a high school lunch lady, was born in the USA, of Italian ancestry, and raised in Naples, Italy.[3] His father, James Joseph Gandolfini, Sr., a native of Borgotaro, Italy, was a bricklayer, cement mason, and later the head custodian at Paramus Catholic High School, New Jersey.[3][4][5] James, Sr., also earned a Purple Heart in World War II.[6] His parents were devout Roman Catholics and spoke Italian at home. Due to such influence, Gandolfini had a strong sense of being Italian, and regularly visited Italy.[4][7]
Gandolfini grew up in Park Ridge and graduated from Park Ridge High School in 1979, where he played basketball and acted in school plays.[8] He was awarded the title "Class Flirt" in his senior yearbook. He held a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from Rutgers University, where he worked as a bouncer at an on-campus pub.[9] Gandolfini also worked as a bartender and club manager prior to embarking on an acting career.[9] Gandolfini was introduced to acting as a young man living in New York City, when he accompanied a friend, actor Roger Bart, to a Meisner technique acting class.[10] In 2003, Gandolfini appeared in a series of television commercials, with Greg Schiano, promoting Rutgers football.[11]

RIP

[NewJerseyMemories]

He was proud to be from New Jersey.

[johnp292]

Originally Posted by AnesthesiaMD

He WAS very much a New Jerseyan!

Gandolfini was born in Westwood, New Jersey.[2] His mother, Santa, a high school lunch lady, was born in the USA, of Italian ancestry, and raised in Naples, Italy.[3] His father, James Joseph Gandolfini, Sr., a native of Borgotaro, Italy, was a bricklayer, cement mason, and later the head custodian at Paramus Catholic High School, New Jersey.[3][4][5] James, Sr., also earned a Purple Heart in World War II.[6] His parents were devout Roman Catholics and spoke Italian at home. Due to such influence, Gandolfini had a strong sense of being Italian, and regularly visited Italy.[4][7]
Gandolfini grew up in Park Ridge and graduated from Park Ridge High School in 1979, where he played basketball and acted in school plays.[8] He was awarded the title "Class Flirt" in his senior yearbook. He held a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication Studies from Rutgers University, where he worked as a bouncer at an on-campus pub.[9] Gandolfini also worked as a bartender and club manager prior to embarking on an acting career.[9] Gandolfini was introduced to acting as a young man living in New York City, when he accompanied a friend, actor Roger Bart, to a Meisner technique acting class.[10] In 2003, Gandolfini appeared in a series of television commercials, with Greg Schiano, promoting Rutgers football.[11]

RIP

I didn't know that! Thanks for the correction, I have edited my post to correct my error.

[camaro69]

My wife said that he was always a gentleman to eveyone on the set.

[Mightyqueen801]

I didn't know he was really from Jersey. I've only ever seen one episode of The Sopranos, and it was a rerun long after the series ended. But I've seen him on talk shows, and he seemed like a nice guy. Sad.

[Gil3]

What a shocking loss..

[Gil3]

Originally Posted by camaro69

My wife said that he was always a gentleman to eveyone on the set.

Very down to earth. No pretense whatsoever in this man.

[Count David]

So sad. What a news headline to read when I woke up.

[CaptainNJ]

my wife told me a few minutes ago. i was eating some gushers and i said "ok."