Latest news with #Gandolfini
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
James Gandolfini Biography Peels Back the Curtain on His Working Relationship With Denzel Washington
A recently released biography following the life of the late James Gandolfini suggests that he and Denzel Washington might have had some tension throughout their working relationship — or did they? A report from the set of the 1995 film Crimson Tide, published in Premiere magazine at the time, claimed that Washington 'storm[ed] over' to director Tony Scott and said something to the effect of not working with Gandolfini after one particular scene. The scene had Gandolfini grabbing Washington by the collar. (Washington played Lieutenant Commander Ron Hunter opposite Gandolfini's Lieutenant Bobby Dougherty in the film.) Rocky Carroll, who also appeared in the movie, recalled the apparent tension in Jason Bailey's Gandolfini: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend, released on Tuesday, April 29. 'It got really heated really fast,' Carroll recalled in the book, recalling Gandolfini saying he was just 'doing [his] job.' Josh Brolin Recalls 'Almost' Getting Into a Fight With Denzel Washington on 'American Gangster' Set Gandolfini's former manager Mark Armstrong admitted that Gandolfini 'did get a little aggressive, more aggressive than I think Denzel was ready for,' which caused 'friction' between the two stars. The book revealed that Gandolfini thought he was going to get fired from the film. Spoiler alert, he was not. In fact, the two ended up becoming friends. Bailey's book published a portion of the Premiere magazine report, which claimed that Gandolfini and Washington started to 'scuffle vigorously' during a separate on-set incident before they 'burst into laughter.' Washington, at the time, stated that they 'fooled everybody' on set. Armstrong noted in Bailey's biography that there was a 'respect' between the two actors, especially after Gandolfini apologized for the initial interaction. 'Literally immediately after that, they started a great friendship,' Armstrong wrote. 'And Jim had a ton of respect for him.' Bailey wrote that the situation on the Crimson Tide set was 'genuinely heated' but was turned down by the two stars. 'The Sopranos' Cast: Where Are They Now? Gandolfini and Washington went on to star in two other movies together, Fallen (1998) and The Taking of Pelham 123 (2009). Bailey's Gandolfini biography detailed the late star's life from his New Jersey upbringing to The Sopranos fame — and, yes, there are multiple chapters on the famed HBO show. Gandolfini played the titular role of Tony Soprano from 1999 to 2007, and the biography peels back the curtain on how the actor apparently felt about being widely known for that role. The book also looks at the ups and downs in the actor's life prior to his death. Gandolfini died from a heart attack at age 51 in June 2013. Gandolfini: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend is out now.
Time of India
29-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
James Gandolfini Almost Missed Out on The Sopranos Role Over a Surprising Concern
In an excerpt from the newly released biography Gandolfini: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend by Jason Bailey , shared by Vulture, the behind-the-scenes story of Gandolfini's audition process is explored in detail. Bailey reveals that Chase, now 79, questioned whether Gandolfini was 'threatening enough' to embody the complex mob boss and family man. It was Gandolfini's manager, Nancy Sanders, the book says, who initially noticed the ideal chance for her client. Hearing of the creation of The Sopranos , Sanders was assured, to herself thinking, "I think I have Tony Soprano ." Resolute on getting Gandolfini before Chase, she got him to watch a VHS tape of the actor's past work. Following the delivery of the tape over Sunday dinner, Chase called Sanders the next morning with his opinion. "All right, here's the deal," Chase supposedly told him. "I think he's brilliant. I have one concern, and that is, is he threatening enough?" Despite his initial hesitation, Chase ultimately moved forward with Gandolfini — a decision that would help shape not only the success of The Sopranos but also the future of modern television drama. Gandolfini's layered portrayal of Tony Soprano — balancing ruthless violence with vulnerability and humanity — became one of the most celebrated performances in TV history. The Sopranos ran on HBO from 1999 to 2007 and is generally considered one of the greatest television series of all time. Gandolfini received critical praise, three Emmy Awards, and an enduring reputation as one of the most respected performers in the business.
Los Angeles Times
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
James Gandolfini (and Tony Soprano) would have hated this biography
James Gandolfini is best known for playing a single character: Tony Soprano, the bearish New Jersey gangster at the heart of HBO's massively popular series 'The Sopranos.' But Jason Bailey's come-to-Jimmy moment came much earlier, when he saw the 1993 crime caper 'True Romance.' Directed by Tony Scott and written by an up-and-comer named Quentin Tarantino, that movie featured Gandolfini in a small but memorable role as Virgil, a thug who beats up Patricia Arquette's Alabama. Bailey, the author of the new biography 'Gandolfini,' was struck by what he now calls 'the tension between seemingly incompatible parts' within the actor. Virgil is vicious and terrifying, and, as Bailey puts it in an interview, 'There is no quicker shorthand for a scumbag than someone who is beating up a defenseless woman.' But there's something in the performance that suggests more than another garden-variety monster. 'Within that scene, which could be just an absolutely brutal slog, he finds these moments of levity and eccentricity,' Bailey said. 'The fact that he can put across those nuances and those incongruities in so little screen time, that's a really special actor. That's the scene, that's the performance, that's the actor that you remember, the one that you went in never having heard of.' Soon, of course, everyone would hear of him. 'The Sopranos' became an immediate cultural phenomenon when it premiered in January 1999, a Mafia drama with unusual depths of character development and narrative vigor. The series helped launch a new Golden Age of Television. And Gandolfini, who died of a heart attack in 2013 at age 51, was the show's tempestuous soul, playing a loutish killer with a quick temper and sad eyes. Separating Gandolfini from Tony Soprano might seem as futile as separating Carroll O'Connor from Archie Bunker or Mary Tyler Moore from Mary Richards. The tension between Gandolfini, the actor, and Tony, the character, was often hard for the star to live with. Bailey, whose previous book subjects include 'Pulp Fiction' and Richard Pryor, knows 'The Sopranos' is the reason why most readers would be drawn to a book about Gandolfini, and his biography spends ample time and space on the series. Among those he interviewed were series regulars Edie Falco, Steven Van Zandt, Vincent Pastore and Robert Iler. All clearly loved Gandolfini; they also readily admit that his demons, including his alcoholism, could make life on the set difficult (Gandolfini's disappearances and no-shows often threw production into turmoil). But Bailey was also eager to show another side of Gandolfini: a hard-driving, obsessive character actor who fretted over line memorization and sought out projects and roles that cut against what naturally became a tough-guy persona. For Bailey, the most emblematic of these is 'Enough Said' (2013), Nicole Holofcener's bittersweet romantic comedy starring Gandolfini opposite Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Many people Bailey interviewed said his character in the film, Albert, is similar in spirit to the real Gandolfini. 'That's the closest he ever got to his actual real personality onscreen,' Bailey said. 'Jim was like a bearded hippie, goofball, warmhearted teddy bear in Birkenstocks. It's such a charming performance that shows his range. You can't get further from Tony Soprano than Albert in 'Enough Said.' The fact that it took his entire life to get to a point where he felt that comfortable sharing that much of himself in a role really does speak to the tragedy of losing him when we did.' Some of Gandolfini's choices would become the source of ironic humor. Gandolfini felt uneasy about the idea of playing mafioso 'Sammy the Bull' Gravano in the 1996 HBO movie 'Gotti,' but he took the part anyway. Then, at the last minute, he backed out. He didn't want to play any more Mafia guys (irony No. 1). Executive producer Gary Lucchesi was irate. As Bailey reports, Lucchesi swore 'he would blackball Gandolfini,' and he 'would never work in the film industry again. And he'd certainly never work for HBO' (irony No. 2). The Gandolfini described in the book could be hot-tempered and unpredictable, but most who worked with him remember an extremely generous man, with both his money — he would often spring for parties and lavish dinners for his 'Sopranos' family — and a well-timed compliment. 'He was a big, lovable mother—,' Drea de Matteo, who played Adriana on 'The Sopranos,' told Bailey. 'He was a big, lovable, insanely talented man.' Not that he ever wanted to hear that. He could dish out compliments, but he was often too insecure to take them. Bailey gives the last word on the matter to Iler, who played Tony's son, Anthony Jr. 'I hate to tell you: He'd probably hate your book,' Iler told Bailey. 'Just because of how nice everyone is gonna be in it, and how much we're gonna talk about how much we love him and how incredible he is. He's so pissed right now.'
Yahoo
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Sopranos' Creator David Chase Worried James Gandolfini Wasn't 'Threatening Enough' to Play Tony Soprano
David Chase wasn't initially sold on James Gandolfini playing Tony Soprano in The Sopranos because he thought he wasn't 'threatening enough.' In an excerpt from Jason Bailey's new book Gandolfini: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend, Bailey recounted the casting process for the coveted part. After reading the script for the HBO pilot, Nancy Sanders, one of his Gandolfini's managers, knew he was perfect for the role. More from The Hollywood Reporter Bill Maher Defends Trump White House Visit, Slams "Nazi" Comparisons Pedro Pascal Calls J.K. Rowling a "Heinous Loser" for Latest Trans Comments The 'Pee-wee as Himself' Trailer Is a Party, and You're Invited 'I went, 'Oh my God, I think I have Tony Soprano,'' she remembered in the excerpt published by Vulture. While the show's creator thought Gandolfini was 'brilliant,' he told Sanders he had one doubt in casting him for the part: 'I have one concern, and that is, is he threatening enough?' The manager was taken aback by his concern and assured him that Gandolfini was surely 'threatening enough' to play the mafia mobster. 'David, if your only concern is is he threatening enough,' she began. 'If you said to me, 'He's a little chubby,' or 'He's losing his hair,' I could understand. But he's threatening enough. This is your guy.' The Hollywood Reporter reached out to reps for Chase and HBO for comment. However, Gandolfini also wasn't sure he would land the role and thought that Chase was 'going to be a pain in the ass' to work with. 'I think my exact words were, 'I could kick this guy right in the ass, but I'll never get cast,'' he recalled via the novel's excerpt. ''They'll hire some fucking pretty boy.' I thought they'd hire, you know, one of these Irish-looking guys who are all over TV now.' Chase knew Gandolfini was the perfect choice 'when he finally settled down and really did a reading, it was just obvious.' Chase recalled, 'There was just not any question about it. He was the guy.' Still, they continued to cycle through actors to ensure they had the right Tony Soprano picked out. Ultimately, three people were up for the role — Gandolfini, The Alto Knights star Mike Rispoli and Steven Van Zandt, who later took on the part of Silvio Dante in The Sopranos. Best of The Hollywood Reporter 22 of the Most Shocking Character Deaths in Television History A 'Star Wars' Timeline: All the Movies and TV Shows in the Franchise 'Yellowstone' and the Sprawling Dutton Family Tree, Explained
Yahoo
26-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘The Sopranos' Creator David Chase Worried James Gandolfini ‘Wasn't Threatening Enough' Before Casting Him in Iconic Lead Role: ‘I Have One Concern'
If things had gone differently, it could've been someone else leading the cast of 'The Sopranos.' But luckily, series creator David Chase didn't stick with his hasty first reaction to James Gandolfini. In an excerpt from Jason Bailey's book 'Gandolfini: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend' (via Vulture), Chase worried that Gandolfini wasn't 'threatening enough,' before ultimately casting him in the career-defining role. More from Variety 'Industry' Producer Jane Tranter on How Late James Gandolfini Friendship Changed Her Career: 'First Time I Had Someone Who Was on My Side' 'Sopranos' Star Drea de Matteo on Joining OnlyFans, Coming Out as a MAGA Supporter and Why She Believes 'Half of Hollywood Is Voting for Trump' 'Sopranos' Star Lorraine Bracco Thought Divisive Ending Was 'Bad and Wrong': 'How Do You Invest 5 Years Into Someone's Life and Just Walk Away?' During the show's development, Gandolfini's manager, Nancy Sanders, told Chase, 'I think I have Tony Soprano.' Chase wasn't immediately convinced. Sanders stood up for her client, quickly quieting Chase's concerns, 'If you said to me, 'He's a little chubby,' or 'He's losing his hair,' I could understand. But he's threatening enough. This is your guy.' 'The Sopranos' casting directors, Sheila Jaffe and Georgianne Walken, echoed Sanders' enthusiasm. They remembered that Gandolfini 'was really our favorite idea from the beginning.' Gandolfini himself wasn't confident that he would land the role of Tony Soprano. He recalled in the excerpt, 'I think my exact words were, 'I could kick this guy right in the ass, but I'll never get cast. They'll hire some fucking pretty boy.' I thought they'd hire, you know, one of these Irish-looking guys who are all over TV now.' He also worried that Chase would be 'a pain in the ass' to work with. However, after the pair met for breakfast, all concerns melted away. 'When he finally settled down and really did a reading, it was just obvious,' Chase said. 'The Sopranos' is currently streaming on Max. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week What's Coming to Disney+ in May 2025 The Best Celebrity Memoirs to Read This Year: From Chelsea Handler to Anthony Hopkins
