James Gandolfini dead at age 51

Man that sucks. At least he left us with a towering monument to remember him by in The Sopranos. Few actors ever get a role so tailored to their talents as he did, and he poured everything he had into it and then some. RIP.
 
From the Times obit:

Mr. Gandolfini, who had studied the Meisner technique of acting for two years, said that he used it to focus his anger and incorporate it into his performances. In an interview for the television series “Inside the Actors Studio,” Mr. Gandolfini said he would deliberately hit himself on the head or stay up all night to evoke the desired reaction.

If you are tired, every single thing that somebody does makes you mad, Mr. Gandolfini said in the interview. “Drink six cups of coffee. Or just walk around with a rock in your shoe. It’s silly, but it works.”

I can't help but wonder about the health consequences of such self-treatment. Obviously, extra weight plays a role as well, as do genetics, in heart disease. And sometimes heart attacks can't be predicted.
 
My father died of a heart attack a few years ago and today my step father died when his heart stopped due to a long time of heart condition. I'm sad both for Mr. Gandolfini and my step father. May they both rest in piece.
 
What an actor he was. Not only for his Tony Soprano role (which was indeed superb) but also for many his supporting turns in films such as the Coen's 'The Man Who Wasn't There' and Scott's 'True Romance', among many others. Fantastic performances. RIP.
 
Jordan_S said:
From the Times obit:

Mr. Gandolfini, who had studied the Meisner technique of acting for two years, said that he used it to focus his anger and incorporate it into his performances. In an interview for the television series “Inside the Actors Studio,” Mr. Gandolfini said he would deliberately hit himself on the head or stay up all night to evoke the desired reaction.

If you are tired, every single thing that somebody does makes you mad, Mr. Gandolfini said in the interview. “Drink six cups of coffee. Or just walk around with a rock in your shoe. It’s silly, but it works.”

I can't help but wonder about the health consequences of such self-treatment. Obviously, extra weight plays a role as well, as do genetics, in heart disease. And sometimes heart attacks can't be predicted.
Click to expand...

Here is that episode:

 
Jordan_S said:
I can't help but wonder about the health consequences of such self-treatment. Obviously, extra weight plays a role as well, as do genetics, in heart disease. And sometimes heart attacks can't be predicted.
Click to expand...

Or the damage it does to others around you, working with hactors who take things to extremes can be wildly disconcerting from the runners to the producers.

Cheers.
 
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