New Jersey governor Chris Christie is honoring late actor James Gandolfini by ordering that state buildings lower flags to half-staff on Monday (June 24).
Gandolfini, who starred in tv’s The Sopranos , died of a heart attack on Wednesday (June 19) while on vacation with his family in Italy. He was 51 years old.
In a statement Christie released Friday (June 21), the Republican governor said he would respect the New Jersey born actor’s passing by stating that the New Jersey flag fly at half-staff.
"James Gandolfini was an iconic actor and will be remembered for the timeless impact he left upon television and film in the State of New Jersey and across our nation,” Christie said, according to UPI .
Christie has respected the passing of past New Jersey icons such as singer Whitney Houston and E-Street band member Clarence Clemons.
Gandolfini’s sudden shocking death has rocked fans from all over the world. Friend Michael Kobold told New York Daily News a public funeral service has been planned for the actor to accommodate the many fans who may want to attend.
“We can’t have a private funeral with something this big,” Kobold said. Kobold defended the late actor in the wake of reports that Gandolfini was binging on food and alcohol hours before his death.
The Sopranos co-star Tony Sirico also discouraged such rumors saying, “Jimmy Gandolfini was a class act,” said Sirico, who played mobster Paulie Walnuts. “Don’t believe the other crap you’re reading about him. He was always spotless, well-dressed, full of energy, smiling.”
The late actor’s family members have completed the necessary paperwork to bring his body home from Italy as soon as possible. The funeral is expected sometime next week.
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