Michael Gandolfini

Michael Gandolfini (born 1999) is an American actor. He is the son of actor James Gandolfini. Gandolfini made his debut in Ocean's 8 (2018) and is set to appear as Tony Soprano, the role originated by his father, in The Many Saints of Newark (2021), a prequel film to The Sopranos.

Michael Gandolfini
Born1999 (age 21–22)
EducationNew York University
OccupationActor
Years active2018–present
Parent(s)

Early life

Gandolfini was born in 1999,[1][2][3][4] the son of actor James Gandolfini and Marcy Wudarski. Growing up, Gandolfini enjoyed performing, but his father advised against an acting career, rather wanting him to pursue sports or "...be a director. They have the power."[3]

Gandolfini's father died suddenly at the age of 51 in Rome on June 19, 2013. He was expected to travel to Sicily a few days later to receive an award at the Taormina Film Fest. After the family had spent the day sightseeing, Michael discovered his father unconscious at around 10 p.m. local time on the bathroom floor at the Boscolo Exedra Hotel. Michael called reception, which in turn called emergency paramedics. His father arrived at the hospital at 10:40 p.m. and was pronounced dead 20 minutes later from a heart attack.[5][6]

Career

Following his father's death, Gandolfini decided to pursue acting. He enrolled at New York University after graduating high school. In his early audition efforts, he was cast in the HBO drama series The Deuce as Joey Dwyer.[7] In 2019, he was cast in The Many Saints of Newark to play the young version of Tony Soprano, the role played by his father in the television series The Sopranos.[8] Gandolfini, having never watched the show, watched through it to prepare for the role, describing it as an intense process.[7] He was later cast in the Russo brothers crime drama Cherry.[9]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Director Notes
2018 Ocean's 8 Busboy Gary Ross
2019 The Boy, the Dog and the Clown Weston Nick Lyon
2021 Cherry Cousin Joe Anthony & Joe Russo Completed
2021 The Many Saints of Newark Tony Soprano Alan Taylor Post-production

Television
Year Title Role Notes
2018–2019 The Deuce Joey Dwyer 10 episodes

References
  1. Jacobs, Deborah L. (August 7, 2013). "James Gandolfini's Will Reflects A Parent's Dilemma". Forbes. Archived from the original on August 12, 2013. Retrieved January 23, 2019. His son Michael, from his marriage to Marcy Wudarski, was 14 when Gandolfini died suddenly in June [2013]...
  2. Ryan, Joal (October 18, 2002). "Gandolfini Comes Clean". E! News. Retrieved January 23, 2019.
  3. "James Gandolfini's Son Michael Says His Dad Never Wanted Him to Be an Actor". etonline.com. August 13, 2019.
  4. "James Gandolfini discovered by 13-year-old son". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved June 20, 2013.
  5. "James Gandolfini died of cardiac arrest". News24. Associated Press. June 20, 2013. Archived from the original on December 9, 2018. Retrieved June 21, 2013.
  6. "James Gandolfini Cause of Death: Autopsy Confirms Heart Attack Killed 'Sopranos' Star, Source Says". HuffPost. Retrieved June 11, 2015.
  7. "Michael Gandolfini Opens Up About the Difficult Decision to Portray Tony Soprano". Esquire.
  8. "'Sopranos' Prequel Film Finds Young Tony: Michael Gandolfini Is Chip Off Old Block". Deadline Hollywood.
  9. Kroll, Justin (October 3, 2019). "Ciara Bravo Joins Tom Holland in Russo Brothers' Next Film (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved October 9, 2019.
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