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James Gandolfini’s Dark Secrets on ‘The Sopranos’: Co-Stars Reveal All

BBG News

He’s remembered for playing one of television’s greatest characters who redefined the antihero. 

Meanwhile, away from the camera, James Gandolfini was grappling with personal struggles. At one point, he faced a daily fine of $250,000 by HBO due to his frequent absences from filming The Sopranos to indulge in drug-induced sprees, according to a recently published book.

The deceased actor found it challenging to manage the emotional impact of portraying mob boss Tony Soprano, as he began to feel that his own identity was merging with the character’s.

The book, “Gandolfini: Jim, Tony, and the Life of a Legend” by Jason Bailey states that he would often disappear for extended periods and once reappeared at a beauty salon following a four-day spree, with neither his wallet nor his phone.

Published on April 29th, the book discloses how Gandolfini struggled with the impact of his show’s success. He perceived his role as transitioning from an exciting opportunity to a burdensome obligation that he felt compelled to break free from, describing it as shifting from a dream job into a seemingly endless sentence in his life.

Despite being back on the film set, Gandolfini was a tormented perfectionist who would often vent his frustration by punching walls when he made mistakes with his lines, as described by Bailey.

James Gandolfini, who passed away in 2013 at the age of 51, had expressed that he felt destined to portray Tony Soprano because he hailed from an Italian-American household in New Jersey, the location where the series unfolds.

Bailey explains that he empathized with the mob characters’ self-hatred since he had experienced it personally, too.

Starting with the filming of the pilot in August 1997, Gandolfini struggled with personal issues that threatened to halt the series, which aired for six seasons from 1999 to 2007 and is now widely recognized as one of the greatest TV shows ever made.

‘I can’t do this,’ Gandolfini told his longtime manager Mark Armstrong.

I’m not the main character in this production. Perhaps it would be best for you to discuss with David Chase whether my role is effective or needs adjustment.

As “The Sopranos” series, filled with numerous killings and harsh violence, skyrocketed to fame, these intense scenes gradually took a toll on Gandolfini.

In each changing season, no matter how diligently Jim tried to keep himself separate and organized, there was a growing sense that the troubled spirit of Tony Soprano was encroaching upon his own being. (Bailey writes that with every passing season, despite Jim’s efforts to distance himself and compartmentalize, he could feel the gloominess of Tony Soprano infiltrating his inner self.)

Actor Steve Buscemi, who took on directing duties for certain episodes, remarked that Gandolfini’s character was incredibly complex with a multitude of lines and carried a profound darkness.

‘He really struggled,’ Buscemi added.

Chase remembered that Gandolfini frequently called him late on Fridays, asking him to reduce the intensity of the violence.

Chase recalled Gandolfini saying something like this: “You’re putting me under immense pressure! I promise to return the money if you can only stop this!

For almost nine months, working on the set and frequently wrapping up at 2 am or beyond, Bailey found that the job no longer seemed like an exciting dream but more like a prolonged imprisonment, as he pens it down.

Cinematographer Phil Abraham said he once witnessed Gandolfini lashing out on set.

According to the book, Abraham exclaimed something along these lines: “He was slamming against a wall as if hammering a brick one, causing his knuckles to bleed, and I couldn’t help but wonder aloud, ‘Jim, for goodness sake, stop!’

Edie Falco, known for playing Tony Soprano’s wife Carmela, has shared that she also observed similar instances. Some members of the crew attributed this behavior to James Gandolfini being meticulous about his work, or striving for perfection.

During season two, the pressure mounted even further due to HBO gaining over a million new viewers because of the series, transforming it into a cultural phenomenon.

Gandolfini became an unlikely sex symbol but the attention was an ‘anathema’ to him.

‘I’m a fat slob, not a sexy guy’, he once said.

Patty Woo, who oversaw Gandolfini’s talent agency, confided in Bailey that the excessive attention he received only intensified his distress.

In the third season, there were issues in Gandolfini’s marriage with his wife, Marcy, which led him to occasionally miss filming dates.

As per Bailey’s analysis, Gandolfini’s self-assurance seemed to be dwindling significantly, and his absences indicated a desperate plea for assistance.

Tony Soprano’s actor, James Gandolfini, found it necessary to escape the intense character he portrayed as a ruthless gangster. He frequently began his weekend festivities ahead of schedule.

In subsequent divorce documents, Marcy alleged that approximately every fortnight, he would indulge in prolonged periods of drug use, and engage in intimate relationships with women she referred to as “glamour models” or “attractive young women.

In the book, Abraham mentions that at one point, HBO was imposing a daily fine of $250,000 on him. To which he responded casually, “I don’t care. I can’t be bothered to show up for work.

It became clear at that point, it wasn’t merely excessive drug use and alcohol consumption causing his lethargy; there was something more profound underlying his behavior.

In simpler terms, according to Bailey’s account, by the fourth season of The Sopranos, Gandolfini was facing difficulties, and these issues led him to frequently miss work. He would often say he was ill, ignore door knocks, only to show up the next day laden with apologies and presents.

After the heart-stopping finale of ‘Eloise’ in the penultimate episode of the season, I just couldn’t contain my excitement any longer – especially when we were filming late into the night at that bustling airport in Westchester, New York!

The next day, Gandolfini was gone again, prompting panic from HBO.

Four days past, he strolled into a beauty parlor in Brooklyn, devoid of his phone and wallet, and phoned the production team to request a vehicle to transport him back home.

According to Susan Ashton, who was both a mentor in acting and a dear companion to Gandolfini, he faced genuine challenges in his private life that occasionally impeded his professional pursuits.

Script Supervisor Christine Gee conveys to Bailey that James Gandolfini, despite having a kind, generous spirit, struggled with inner turmoil, resulting in excessive drinking and cocaine use.

‘And did he do these things to excess? Yes,’ she said.

In a particular scene close to a precipice, it was necessary to secure Gandolfini due to concerns that he might slip and fall, as it was discovered that he was not entirely sober.

Falco confesses that she felt anxious during a particular scene when Gandolfini, portraying Tony Soprano, attempted to persuade her to dance with him, causing her apprehension for her well-being.

Once she noticed he was imbibing alcohol, she grew apprehensive, and a few crew members entered the room to make sure the situation remained under control.

Falco stated: ‘He’s large, he’s drinking, and I’m petite; I’m concerned about my safety.’

2002 marked a low point in Gandolfini’s life, as his wife Marcy filed for divorce and admitted to the New York Post that he had been unfaithful with Lora Somoza, an assistant on the 2001 film “The Mexican,” where he played the lead role.

In my account, I’d say my union with them was a complex, love-and-hate kind of bond, and Tony, our dear son, Michael, was the fruit of this partnership. Moreover, I’ve often found myself expressing that Tony exhibited psychologically harmful behaviors towards me.

As a lifestyle expert, I’d like to share an intriguing piece of advice that was once given by the late James Gandolfini. During his public engagements, he frequently expressed admiration for someone, and on one occasion, he confided in her: “If I spend another day with you, I fear I might succumb to misery.

It was asserted by Marcy that no less than 52 individuals were aware of Gandolfini’s struggle with substance abuse, among them being his co-star Falco and the renowned actress Julia Roberts, who worked with him on The Mexican.

In his divorce documents, Gandolfini countered by stating that Marcy exhibited emotional instability to an extent that made cohabitation unsafe, and had repeatedly expressed thoughts of self-harm or suicide.

During the turmoil, Gandolfini spoke candidly with The National Enquirer, admitting that he had reached his lowest point back in 1999, which was also the year the Sopranos debuted.

‘It was a dark time for me’, he said and insisted he was clean and sober after going to rehab.

Months passed before the divorce became official, with Marcy granted custody of their son. However, Gandolfini remained a consistent figure in his life.

In 2003, a significant hurdle for Gandolfini was filing a lawsuit against HBO, seeking increased compensation for his role in season five of The Sopranos.

Armstrong, Gandolfini’s manager, said the lawsuit ‘just rocked his world’.

At that point Gandolfini ‘wasn’t sure if he wanted the Sopranos to continue’, Bailey writes.

The ‘troublesome location’ he needed to visit served as a magnifier for his significant personal and mental challenges.

Stepping away from the performance might end his career, however, as Bailey phrased it, it could potentially have saved his life instead.

Ultimately, HBO consented to provide Gandolfini a whopping $13 million for the fifth season, a substantial amount compared to what was typically paid back then.

As a devoted fan of quality television, I’ve always made it a point to express my gratitude to those who bring characters to life in ways that resonate deeply with audiences. Much like Tony Soprano’s famous gesture, I too chose to reward more than a dozen esteemed colleagues who graced the screen alongside me during our groundbreaking series. Each received a token of appreciation in the form of a $36,000 check, symbolizing my heartfelt thanks for their unwavering commitment to our shared journey. And so, with renewed energy and camaraderie, we embarked on one final, triumphant season together.

One of the stories recounted in the book is that, unlike others, the creator and writer of the show, Chase, had initial doubts about whether James Gandolfini was the ideal choice for the role.

In a remark that now seems quite amusing, Chase remarked to another producer about his future star: “He doesn’t seem threatening enough.

According to Bailey, HBO initially had reservations about naming the show The Sopranos, fearing that audiences could misinterpret it as a program about an opera.

As an ardent enthusiast, I was all set for the introduction of ‘Family Man’, but alas! The arrival of the humorous animated series, ‘Family Guy’, caused them to abandon that notion instead.

In the book, Lorraine Bracco recounted that James Gandolfini, who portrayed Tony Soprano, often attempted to divert her attention during filming their scenes, as he had typically completed his part prior to hers.

As a devoted admirer recounting anecdotes shared by Bracco, I can tell you that on set, James Gandolfini, in private moments, would occasionally entertain us with a playful ‘dance’ reminiscent of the hula or expose his bare backside sandwiched between two screens.

‘Mooning occurred’, Bracco said. ‘He had an a** the size of Staten Island!’

As per Bailey’s account, Gandolfini often had trouble sleeping due to his sleep apnea, which resulted in him getting only a few hours of rest before arriving at work. Consequently, he would frequently nap in the recliner found within the Soprano family’s on-set home, as described by Bailey.

During rehearsals at the Bada Bing strip club, one of the frequent settings on the show, Gandolfini found himself indulging in a meal provided by the crew – a steak and lobster, which subsequently caused some problems due to his hearty appetite.

Since there was no alternative food in the kitchen, the producers found themselves in a rush to retrieve food for the scene to be filmed accurately.

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2025-04-26 00:05

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