James Gandolfini dies at 51

James Gandolfini died on Wednesday while vacationing in Rome. Gandolfini was rushed to the Policlinic Umberto I hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest. He died shortly after 11 p.m. after resuscitation efforts failed.

Gandolfini will always be known for his legendary performance in the HBO drama series “The Sopranos”, a series that brought him three Emmy Awards during its six-season run.

“He was a genius,” said “Sopranos” creator David Chase. “Anyone who saw him even in the smallest of his performances knows that. He is one of the greatest actors of this or any time.

Gondolfini and his wife Deborah, who were married in 2008, have a daughter, Liliana, born last year. Gandolfini also has a son, Michael, with his former wife, Marcy.

As required by law, an autopsy will be performed 24 hours after Gandolfini’s death.