His TV wife, Edie Falco, said in the doc that Gandolfini “was a very good, kindhearted man,” but that the role “may have taken a toll on him,” according to USA Today .
David Chase, who created the series, said that Gandolfini “had to go places that were destructive to him, and painful for him,” to play Tony Soprano.
James Gandolfini in “The Sopranos.” Getty Images
According to the documentary, Gandolfini reportedly deprived himself of sleep for days, walked around with rocks in his shoes “to get angry,” and bruised his hands by hitting the inside of his character’s car.
The cast of “The Sopranos” at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival. Getty Images for Tribeca Festival
The actor also allegedly “threatened to quit the show nearly every other day,” including when there was an attempted intervention to stop his frequent drinking.
HBO head Chris Albrecht reportedly claimed in the doc that he tried convincing Gandolfini to go to rehab.
In response, Gandolfini allegedly yelled “Fire me!” and walked out.
James Gandolfini as Tony Sorpano. Getty Images “The Sopranos” aired from 1999 to 2007. Courtesy of HBO
James Gandolfini, Edie Falco, and Robert Iler in the final episode of “The Sopranos.” WILL HART / HBO
Former HBO chairman, Chris Albrecht, revealed in the book that HBO hosted an intervention at Gandolfini’s apartment in Manhattan. Gandolfini allegedly entered the apartment where he found his loved ones waiting for him, and he cursed at them, dared Albrecht to fire him, and stormed out.
Despite his many issues, Gandolfini stayed on “The Sopranos” for all six seasons.
James Gandolfini and Stevie Van Zandt in “The Sopranos.” Courtesy of HBO
The new documentary about the show was directed by Alex Gibney. The two hour-and-40-minute project features audition tapes of some of the cast members, funny anecdotes from their time on set, and new information about the show’s controversial ending .
“The Sopranos” cast at the “Wise Guy” premiere on June 13, 2024. Getty Images for Tribeca Festival
Chase, 78, and many of the cast members including Falco, Michael Imperioli, Drea de Matteo, and Aida Turturro reunited at Tribeca for the documentary’s premiere.
“Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranos” is expected to premiere on Max later this year.
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