James Gandolfini (1961-2013) was an American actor known for his imposing physical presence and his ability to portray complex and often ambiguous characters. Although celebrated for Tony Soprano on television, his film career saw him excel in supporting roles before taking on more central ones.

He gained notoriety as the brutal Virgil in *True Romance* (1993) and Bear in *Get Shorty* (1995), often cast as gangsters, enforcers, or gruff men. Over time, he demonstrated remarkable versatility, ranging from authoritative roles like Leon Panetta in *Zero Dark Thirty* (2012) to more vulnerable and surprisingly romantic performances, such as in *Enough Said* (2013), his last starring role.

His style was characterized by a rare combination of latent menace and unexpected tenderness, making his characters memorable and multidimensional.