JAMES GANDOLFINI (Tony Soprano) DIES IN ITALY

[spookyturtle 9,465]

James Gandolfini -- who famously played Tony Soprano on "The Sopranos" -- died earlier today in Italy ... TMZ has learned.

Gandolfini is believed to have suffered a heart attack. He was 51.

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."

We 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.

http://www.tmz.com/2013/06/19/james-gandolfini-dead-dies-italy/?icid=maing-grid7%7Cmain5%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk2%26pLid%3D332510

[elmcitymaven 9,712]

The worst news

[Pooky 3,784]

I guess he stopped believin'.

R.I.P. to a great actor

[RGinWA 816]

What a sad thing to hear. He was a really good actor who died way too early.

RIP Jimmy...you will be missed.

[Calypso 464]

RIP.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

He was beyond outstanding as Tony Soprano. That is one of the best shows ever on TV.

[Penny Lane 8,159]

Very sad. Only 51.

[GandD 5,966]

Ill be reminiscing "mad tony"