Yet Another (Surprise) In-Memoriam

In a way, in his inimitable way, he was Everyman. He characterized, skilfully enough to have the vast viewing public, easily bored, but transfixed by his thespian capabilities, wedded to the series he famously starred in, as Tony Soprano. A man conflicted as much by his humanity as he so obviously was by his thuggish lifestyle. He aspired to the best at what he did, and the theatrical James Gandolfini most certainly was good at portraying the fictional Tony Soprano.

He enjoyed a vast fan base. He may have been born James Gandolfini, aspiring to the big screen and finally discovering the role that would bring him fame and an enthusiastic following of people who just couldn't get enough viewing time of an Italian Mafia boss living a professionally tawdry and brutal lifestyle, compromised by self-doubts while his status as a 'typical' Italian husband and father concerned for the welfare of his family gave nuance and humanity to the character he portrayed.

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James Gandolfini from The Sopranos (Courtesy of HBO)

Tony Soprano and his motley, socially deviant, clumsy, violent, sometimes-wry, occasionally clever, and always wretchedly brutish crew fascinated viewers. Most devoted fans couldn't wait for the next installment in the series to be presented. Each of the cast became a well-recognized archetype of failed humanity. Each could be found to have some saving grace, hugely overshadowed by their character failings.

When the series finally ended, in a typical way for what it portrayed; no happy ending of such social dysfunction, scarred and imperfect personalities steeped in life's seamy values, accepting of no other way of life, James Gandolfini moved on to other roles. But his years of acting out Tony Soprano's life of uncertain and confused existence defined him as an actor. He was himself deeper and more successfully introspective than the man he portrayed.

But he was a man whom other kinds of demons finally took possession of. Did he ever present as the picture of a healthy, well-balanced physical specimen?  He was only 51 when a massive heart attack brought his life to an end. James Gandolfini clearly enjoyed life in all its manifestations. He had two marriages, and was father to three children, the last two still in infancy. He did not model himself to a healthy lifestyle, the result being three children less a father.

Does the photograph portraying him enjoying a meal just before his untimely death express that of a healthy man? He was corpulent, indulged in the over-use of alcohol and his choice of food in his daily consumption menus obviously left much to be desired. He was clearly headed toward compromised health morbidity and met it head on in the land of his ancestry.

A shock to those who thought so highly of his talents and viewed him with fond regard.

'Final pictures': A holidaymaker took this photograph of James Gandolfini enjoying dinner in Rome on Tuesday night - around 24 hours before he passed away suddenly following a suspected heart attack