"People have loved outlaws since the beginning. Plus, they're set up like soldiers, which is another story people love... like the regime that they have. I think it's just anyone that goes outside the law and outside of the norm — and they do it with a little more flair." ~ James Gandolfini
Everyone's favorite mob boss and domestically-challenged family man, The Sopranos star James Gandolfini (1961-) was born on this day in Westwood, New Jersey, a child of Italian immigrants. He graduated from Rutgers University before discovering the challenges...and joys... of acting.
"I just don't think I'm that interesting. I don't think what I have to say is that interesting. To hear me go blah, blah, blah, blah, blah. I mean, who...cares?" said the outspoken and notoriously press-shy Gandolfini in an interview.
Gandolfini made his Broadway debut in A Streecar Named Desire (1992) and film breakthrough as a hit man in True Romance (1993). A talented character actor in over 20 films, he was shocked when he was first cast in his "one great role" as Tony Soprano.
"I thought they'd hire, you know, one of these Irish-looking guys who are all over TV now," he said. The Emmy-winning star signed a multi-million dollar deal to stay on the critically-acclaimed HBO series.
"I'm not ready to say goodbye to the character, but I'm not going to miss him," Gandolfini said in 2004 as the series headed into its fifth season after a 15-month hiatus.
"The character's interesting - I'm not," he said. "I've been very lucky, considering what I look like and what I do." Modesty aside, women around the world have fallen in love with the 6' 1," burly Gandolfini.
The immensely popular actor continues to be courted big-time by Hollywood and earned a reported $5 million for The Mexican (2001) with Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt. Roles in Surviving Christmas (2004) and Romance & Cigarettes (2004) followed.
Do it with flair.