I am saddened by hearing of the passing of James Gandolfini. Being 51 years old and leaving this earth does not seem right. Too soon. Too soon.
My thoughts go back to fall of 2001 and beginning school at The Actor's Studio of Drama in NYC. I had the amazing opportunity to work with an amazing teacher and person, Susan Aston. She had this hard edge to her, a strong wit, and was someone I had grown to trust immensely. This was at the height of the success of The Sopranos and Susan was very good friends with James. She was his acting coach and did all of his background research into the role and would go to wherever he was located to give him the information he needed about the next episode. She had so many wonderful stories of many stars but it was the stories of Gandolfini that intrigued us so, being Sopranos was so popular at the time.
That truly was one of the most exciting things about living in "the city that never sleeps". You just did not know who you were going to meet walking down the street. I passed Donald Trump on 5th Avenue, saw Diane Keaton from across a busy street, saw John Leguizamo as well out and about with his family.
So it is a Monday night. Myself and a few girls from my cohort are walking back after a taping of "Inside the Actor's Studio". We are heading to our subway. We walk passed this man who looked familiar to us. We completely walked by him and one of the girls says, "Guys, I think that was James Gandolfini!!! We should go back and ask him for an autograph!" For some reason I was against the idea. Things are hazy as to whether or not the girls went back to talk to him. I want to say that I would remember if they did. I think that we did not but kept walking...
What I DO remember is the hilarious exchange the next Susan Aston acting class we had. We relayed the wonderful story of passing James Gandolfini on the street and whether or not we should have gone to speak with him. What was so funny was watching Susan listen so intently to our story and then saying, "Oh my God, he even walks the streets??"
I laughed out loud!!!! SO FUNNY!!!!
Mr. Gandolfini will be missed! His amazing talent and presence is one that cannot be matched. It was this presence that demanded respect and professionalism.
My heart goes out to his entire family and to Susan for this horrible loss. I am sending prayers and positive thoughts to them during this difficult time.
