His head tilted down and a reflective look passed across his face. Both of Michael Gandolfini s hands rested gently atop his father s casket.
The teen son of Emmy winner James Gandolfini shared a poignant final moment with his dad Thursday after a funeral filled with two teary families The actor s New Jersey clan and the cast of The Sopranos.
Splash News James Gandolfini's wife Deborah Lin is seen walking behind his hearse Thursday.The 13 year old was a pallbearer at the emotional service held eight days after Michael discovered a stricken Gandolfini inside their Rome hotel room.
RELATED LIVE COVERAGE JAMES GANDOLFINI FUNERAL
Rob Kim/Getty Images Jamie Lynn Sigler attends the funeral of actor James Gandolfini at the Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine.An estimated 2 000 friends fans and relatives filled the Cathedral of St. John the Divine to bid a sad farewell to the gone too soon Gandolfini who died at 51.
It was a wonderful ceremony said Sopranos co star Tony Sirico who played Garden State tough guy Paulie Walnuts. I cried a lot.
STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images Edie Falco known for playing Carmela Soprano in 'The Sopranos ' arrives at the funeral of her co star.The star studded 100 minute memorial drew a large contingent from the hit HBO show in which Gandolfini made his bones as an emotionally conflicted mob boss from his home state.
RELATED TOUGH GUYS WEEP FOR JAMES GANDOLFINI AS SON BURIES FATHER
Victor Medina San Andr s Hundreds gathered inside St. John the Divine to remember James Gandolfini.Show creator David Chase paid homage to his larger than life star recalling how the actor never lost touch with the little boy inside both Tony Soprano and James Gandolfini.
That was why I think you were such a great actor because of that boy inside Chase said during his eulogy. And I think your talent is that you can take in the immensity of humankind and the universe and shine it out to the rest of us like a huge bright light.
Splash News James Gandolfini's family his wife Deborah Lin son Michael and ex wife Marcy Wudarski walks behind the coffin as the service ends Thursday.And I believe that only a pure soul like a child can do that well. And that was you . . . You were a good boy.
PHOTOS JAMES GANDOLFINI'S STAR STUDDED FUNERAL
Richard Drew/AP Michael Gandolfini left son of James Gandolfini arrives for the funeral service of his father.Chase wrote his recollections as if penning a letter to Gandolfini. His first attempt at writing a traditional tribute came out like bad TV he confessed.
The contingent of colleagues from The Sopranos included nearly the entire cast TV wife Edie Falco along with Lorraine Bracco Joe Pantoliano Dominic Chianese Steve Buscemi Vincent Curatola Michael Imperioli Steve Schirripa John Ventimiglia Vincent Pastore and Aida Turturro.
BARRY WETCHER/AP James Gandolfini died of a heart attack June 19 in Rome.A very pregnant Jamie Lynn Sigler who played daughter Meadow Soprano dabbed a tear from her eye as she left the service. Schirripa aka capo Bobby (Bacala) Baccalieri wept outside the church before heading inside.
RELATED GANDOLFINI'S LOVED ONES ARRIVE IN NJ FOR WAKE
LUCAS JACKSON/REUTERS Actor Steve Buscemi arrives for the funeral services of James Gandolfini.The group developed a tight bond during the show s 1999 2007 run when Gandolfini emerged as their acknowledged leader while The Sopranos became a runaway smash.
All in the spectacular Manhattan cathedral shared a hug at the urging of Gandolfini family friend Thomas Richardson who recalled the actor s penchant for an overly friendly squeeze.
Richard Drew/AP Actress Aida Turturro arrives for the funeral service for the 51 year old actor who died of a heart attack.Close your eyes and think of Jim and hug too tight he said. Richardson also delivered a special message to Gandolfini s only son.
PHOTOS JAMES GANDOLFINI'S LIFE AND CAREER
Splash News/Splash News Inside the service booklet handed out at James Gandolfini's funeral at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine.You have shown such strength in this unbearable time he said.
The Sopranos crew was joined by New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie who ordered his state's flags to fly at half staff in Gandolfini's honor and New York Jets owner Woody Johnson.
Andrew Burton/Getty Images Edie Falco was among the numerous 'Sopranos' co stars remembering their great friend.Gandolfini was a fan of Gang Green.
RELATED LILLO BRANCATO JR. MOURNS GANDOLFINI FROM PRISON
D Dipasupil/Getty Images John Turturro outside James Gandolfini's funeral.Other bold faced guests in the red folding chairs included Alec Baldwin who worked with Gandolfini in a 1992 Broadway revival of A Streetcar Named Desire and actors John Turturro Chris Noth Julianna Margulies and Marcia Gay Harden.
Gandolfini earned a Tony nomination for best actor in a play for his work opposite Harden in God of Carnage.
Julio Cortez/AP New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie holds the booklet handed out at James Gandolfini funeral.Susan Aston a Gandolfini friend and collaborator of 25 years recalled his comedic words of comfort before they took the stage together in an 80s production.
RELATED JAMES GANDOLFINI'S SISTERS VISIT HBO OFFICES
ANDREW GOMBERT/EPA Julianna Margulies and Chris Noth depart after Gandolfini s funeral service.Aston what s the worst that can happen We suck she recounted. Those were liberating words of wisdom.
The Jersey born Chase who also collaborated with Gandolfini on the film Not Fade Away was the last speaker at the sad farewell. The first was Gandolfini s wife Deborah Lin who thanked her late husband for their five years of marriage. My husband was an honest kind and loving man she said. He cared more about others than himself. . . . Thank you for the memories of the beautiful life we spent together.
Richard Drew/AP Actress Aida Turturro arrives for the funeral service of James Gandolfini.I love you Jim and I always will. Rest in peace.
RELATED GANDOLFINI VIEWED BOOK OF THE DEAD JUST BEFORE DEATH
Julio Cortez/AP Joe Pantoliano a cast member of 'The Sopranos' arrives at funeral of James Gandolfini.The simple service included heart tugging songs by Broadway performer Amy Justman who sang Ave Maria and baritone Jesse Blumberg who did Bring Him Home from the show Les Miserables.
In addition to son Michael Gandolfini left behind a 9 month old daughter Liliana. The actor died of a massive heart attack while in a Rome hotel.
David Handschuh/New York Daily News Actess Jamie Lynn Sigler leaves the Cathedral of St. John the Devine after funeral for actor James Gandolfini who played her father on 'The Sopranos.'A black hearse delivered Gandolfini's remains to the Manhattan church from a funeral parlor in the actor s old home town of Park Ridge N.J.
PHOTOS STARS GONE TOO SOON
JOHN ANGELILLO/UPI /Landov Lorraine Bracco was among the many 'Sopranos' cast members at James Gandolfini's funeral.Fans began gathering three hours before the 10 a.m. funeral. The line stretched more than a block down Amsterdam Ave. and included visitors from Ireland and Australia. Others took a much shorter route.
I just had to be here said fan Barbara Tomanelli 75 who lives a few blocks from the Manhattan church.
LUCAS JACKSON/REUTERS Actor Michael Imperioli (center) greets actor Steve Buscemi at Gandolfini's funeral.Gandolfini achieved his greatest success playing ruthless gangster Soprano whose mother issues and scars sent him for psychiatric help.
The Very Rev. James Kowalski during his homily praised Gandolfini's work as the fictional mob boss for examining more than just his life of crime. If a violent gangster could force me to think more about family conflicts ... and the possibility of redemption maybe there is this thing called hope Kowalski said.
LUCAS JACKSON/REUTERS Actor Vincent Pastore (left) arrives for the funeral services of James Gandolfini. Andrew Burton/Getty Images Alec Baldwin arrives 'Sopranos' star James Gandolfini's funeral. Andrew Burton/Getty Images Actor Tony Sirico arrives for actor James Gandolfini's funeral. Andrew Burton/Getty Images Jerry Alder at James Gandolfini funeral's in New York. Richard Drew/AP Steve Schirripa (center) and John Ventimiglia arrive for the funeral service of James Gandolfini. Julio Cortez/AP Dominic Chianese openly weeped during the chorus of hymns at James Gandolfini's funeral.lmcshane nydailynews.com
No comments:
Post a Comment