But Sesti said Saturday, June 22, will be transformed into a special tribute to Gandolfini, including a Master Class Sesti will co-host with The Hollywood Reporter’s Eric J. The round table, which will feature Pursuit of Happyness director Gabriele Muccino and actress Marisa Tomei, will still take place. And his weaknesses - women, emotion, family, a flirtation with taboo - these are things that we see in ourselves.” “He was a big strong man, but also delicate and refined. “Gandolfini is probably less well known in Italy than in the United States, but he was an important figure in Italy,” Sesti said.

Taormina festival officials said they found out about Gandolfini’s death after midnight and immediately began discussing how to honor the actor best known for his role as the star of The Sopranos. Embassy will help prepare Gandolfini’s body for return to the United States. Preliminary autopsy results are likely to be due on Friday, June 21, according to NBC News. Modini told the AP that, as required by law, an autopsy would be performed 24 hours after Gandolfini’s death. They again tried to revive Gandolfini and when they were unable to do so, they transported him to the hospital where he was pronounced dead at 10:40 p.m. local time Wednesday, June 19, and that the first of two ambulances arrived within eight minutes. Claudio Modini, told THR the hospital received the emergency call at 9 p.m. The head of the emergency room at Rome’s Policlinic Umberto I,ĭr. STORY: ‘Sopranos’ Star James Gandolfini Dies at 51 Workers reportedly tried to resuscitate him before the ambulance arrived. Michael then called for help and hotel staff rushed to the room, according to NBC. Gandolfini’s teenage son, Michael, found his father collapsed in the bathroom, after he suffered a suspected heart attack, NBC News reports. Indeed, family friend Michael Kobold told The Associated Press that Gandolfini had a “medical emergency” in his room.

Tom Richardson, Gandolfini’s assistant, agreed: “The family had a marvelous day together, and when he returned to the hotel Jimmy went to the bathroom and that is when something happened,” Richardson said, adding that the actor was still alive when the ambulance arrived. “He was so happy to be in Italy, to reconnect with his Italian roots, and he was very excited to come to Taormina and receive this award,” Sesti said. PHOTOS: James Gandolfini’s Life and Career in Pictures

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