Gandolfini died

That was quite a shock. Heart attack has been confirmed by hospital.

http://www.buddytv.com/articles/the-sopranos/the-sopranos-star-james-gandol-50398.aspx

http://xfinity.comcast.net/video/James-Gandolfini-Dead-From-Cardiac-Arrest-in-Italy/34245187708/Comcast/Today_in_Video/?cid=hero_sf_TIV

http://xfinity.comcast.net/blogs/tv/2013/06/20/remembering-james-gandolfini-the-greatest-tony-soprano-moments/

http://xfinity.comcast.net/articles/entertainment-eonline/20130620/b431856/

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2345284/James-Gandolfini-dead-Photos-actor-enjoying-dinner-family-just-hours-son-13-suffering-fatal-heart-attack-hotel.html

http://www.paleycenter.org/brightcove/screening-room-2013.html?bcpid=1679254821001&bckey=AQ~~,AAAADpP62yk~,CYkGoUDqnqWmJHL5SetwJ75jDx87buG6&bctid=2494818027001

Although he had many good stage and screen roles, most people would be hard pressed to name some. But say "Tony Soprano" and they instantly know....

He put New Jersey "on the map" in a sense. Before The Sopranos if you asked what shows/films were set in NJ most people would go .  But now ......

And the opening scenes with him driving over the bridge, NYC in the back ground, past the industrial plants, past the little stores and modest homes along the NJ streets, then into the upscale neighborhood in the "woods", then up his driveway to his fancy house.....it will always be the iconic show opening. 

They interviewed some cast members on the news this morning. One that I found somewhat ironically amusing was "Vito Spattafore", his characters name.    He said it was a privilege to work with James. Of course "Vito" caught a 9mm in the skull when Tony found out he had cheated him...

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0304430/

From everything people are saying about him, he seemed like a good man. Age 51 seems much too young to go. Sad.

Some of his co-stars have gone on to have successful careers, Edie Falco and Jamie Lynn Sigler, Michael Imperioli for three of the most successful, and some of his "henchmen" also. Steve Schirippa pops up on talk shows all the time and of course Steve Van Zandt is still the lead guitarist for Bruce Springsteen.  But James Iler has had more modest success, not that he needs the money, and I assume he has 'grown' past this stunt:

Was arrested on Manhattan's Upper East Side with two other teens on charges of second-degree robbery and marijuana possession. [6 July 2001]
On 3 August 2001, Iler and his two friends were indicted for the robbery of $40 from two Brazilian youths. On April 23, 2002, Iler pleaded guilty to the charges and received three years probation.

  Way too young.

Hard to believe he's gone. Yes, 51 is much too young. And the fact that he was there with his son celebrating. Very, very sad.

The young actor was Robert Iler. He only had one guest starring role (in Law and Order) after Sopranos. That was in 2009. He hasn't been acting since. But, yes, hopefully he has found a good path to follow.