(TMZ) - James Gandolfini - who famously played Tony Soprano on "The Sopranos" - died earlier today in Italy, TMZ has learned.
Gandolfini was in Italy to attend the 59th Taormina Film Festival in Sicily - and he was scheduled to participate in a festival event this weekend with Italian director Gabriele Muccino.
Gandolfini shot to fame playing a hitman in the 1993 hit "True Romance," and quickly became a Hollywood legend when he was cast as Tony Soprano in 1999. He won 3 Emmy awards for the role during the show's 6 season run.
Gandolfini also appeared in a ton of huge movies including "Get Shorty," "The Mexican" and "Zero Dark Thirty."
TMZ last spoke to Gandolfini in May in L.A. - he was in great spirits, making funny faces and joking about a "Sopranos" movie.
Gandolfini is survived by his wife Deborah Lin, who gave birth to the couple's daughter in October 2012. He also has a teenage son from a previous marriage. R.I.P.
Photo Credit Getty Images
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