While celebrities mourn the passing of James Gandolfini, 51, not many were more acquainted with the actor than his former TV daughter, Jamie-Lynn Sigler, 32, who played Meadow Soprano on the HBO show for a decade.
The actress, who is expecting her own son later this summer, told People in a statement, “This news has left me heartbroken. I can only imagine the pain his family feels at this time, and my heart goes out to them, especially Deborah, Michael, and Liliana.”
Sigler further says, “I spent 10 years of my life studying and admiring one of the most brilliant actors, yes, but more importantly, one of the greatest men. Jim had the ability, unbeknownst to him, to make you feel like everything would be alright if he was around.”
Like Sigler, another Soprano cast member has expressed her condolences over the three-time Emmy winner’s death.
Edie Falco, 49, who played Gandolfini’s TV wife Carmela, said, “The love between Tony and Carmela was one of the greatest I’ve ever known.”
Falco considers Gandolfini “a man of tremendous depth and sensitivity, with a kindness and generosity beyond words.”