“They don’t understand what this does to me”: James Gandolfini Was Permanently Damaged After Filming ‘The Sopranos’ Due To One Reason

The role of Tony Soprano in the critically acclaimed TV series The Sopranos made actor James Gandolfini a worldwide sensation. The actor won several prestigious awards and praise from fans all over the world.

Despite all the success, there was something that Gandolfini hated about the character: the mental exhaustion that came with the job. With so much pressure, the actor’s mental health took a hit and he often avoided going to the sets. He had to continue his time on the show because it entirely depended on him. Unfortunately, the actor passed away at the age of 51 due to a heart attack in June 2013.

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The role of Tony Soprano was quite stressful for James Gandolfini

While the role of Tony Soprano in HBO’s The Sopranos made actor James Gandolfini a well-known name around the world, the role came with some consequences. Gandolfini was well-known for his method acting while preparing for the character but this gave the actor very little time to reflect.

The mental and physical exhaustion gave the actor “anger issues” and the attention he got from the role got too much for him. The pressure was intense and Gandolfini often felt suffocated. The show finally ended in 2007 after 86 episodes.

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James Gandolfini’s co-stars were worried about his health

Actress Edie Falco, who played Carmela Soprano in the show, once revealed that the role affected Gandolfini’s physical health as well (via FarOut Magazine),

“I had a conversation with Jim once where he was in very bad shape. He said to me, ‘They don’t understand what this does to me, doing this show and where I have to go.'”

The actor couldn’t quit the show, obviously because it was focused on him and the fans wanted to see more of him in the show. However, when the pressure got too much, the actor avoided coming to the sets, but in the end, James Gandolfini gave a memorable performance that will continue to inspire many aspiring actors in the entertainment industry.

Apart from HBO’s The Sopranos, Gandolfini was well-known for his performances in movies like True Romance and Get Shorty. The actor passed away at the age of 51 in 2013 in Rome due to a heart attack.

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Source: FarOut Magazine