James Gandolfini Movies: 'True Romance,' 'Zero Dark Thirty,' 'Not Fade Away,' 'Where The Wild Things Are' & More

James Gandolfini's Best Movie Roles
FILE - This file film publicity image released by Sony Pictures shows James Gandolfini as the C.I.A. Director in a scene from "Zero Dark Thirty." Gandolfini, whose portrayal of a brutal, emotionally delicate mob boss in HBO's "The Sopranos" helped create one of TV's greatest drama series and turned the mobster stereotype on its head, died Wednesday, June 19, 2013 in Italy. He was 51. (AP Photo/Sony Pictures, Jonathan Olley, File)
FILE - This file film publicity image released by Sony Pictures shows James Gandolfini as the C.I.A. Director in a scene from "Zero Dark Thirty." Gandolfini, whose portrayal of a brutal, emotionally delicate mob boss in HBO's "The Sopranos" helped create one of TV's greatest drama series and turned the mobster stereotype on its head, died Wednesday, June 19, 2013 in Italy. He was 51. (AP Photo/Sony Pictures, Jonathan Olley, File)

James Gandolfini was best known for his work on the HBO series "The Sopranos," but the New Jersey-born star also enjoyed a fruitful film career.

Gandolfini died on Wednesday in Italy at the age of 51. His death, first reported by Deadline.com, was the result of a fatal heart attack.

Gandolfini's first credited role was as an orderly in the 1987 film "Shock! Shock! Shock!" He received major notices, however, for a small but memorable scene in the 1993 Tony Scott movie "True Romance." (Warning: Link NSFW.)

Gandolfini reunited with Scott for "Crimson Tide" in 1995; that year also found him starring in "Get Shorty" as Bear, a gruff and physical bodyguard with a heart of gold. Other supporting parts in "A Civil Action," "8MM," "She's So Lovely," "The Juror" and "Night Falls On Manhattan" soon followed.

After winning the role of Tony Soprano on "The Sopranos" in 1999, Gandolfini took a break from films. He returned in 2001's "The Mexican," playing a key role opposite Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt. Gandolfini was praised for his performance as a homosexual hitman. In the same year, Gandolfini also appeared in "The Last Castle" (with Robert Redford) and "The Man Who Wasn't There" (with Billy Bob Thornton).

Despite his appearance, Gandolfini didn't always play tough guys. For instance, he voiced Carol in "Where The Wild Things Are," the 2009 Spike Jonze film based on Maurice Sendak's seminal children's story. Gandolfini's embodiment of the lead Wild Thing allowed the star to express deep pathos and touching emotion. He was also funny, as evidenced by a turn in 2009 comedy "In The Loop." (As well as his many comedic moments on "The Sopranos.")

Recent roles include "Killing Them Softly," 2012 Best Picture nominee "Zero Dark Thirty" and a reunion with "Sopranos" creator David Chase in "Not Fade Away," Chase's directorial debut. In that film, Gandolfini played a tough father, not unlike Tony Soprano.

This year, Gandolfini starred in "The Incredible Burt Wonderstone" and "Violet and Daisy." The actor also finished work on the Tom Hardy film "Animal Rescue" and he played the male lead Nicole Holofcener's "Enough Said" opposite Julia Louis-Dreyfus. Neither project has an official release date.

"It was such an honor to work with Mr. Gandolfini and nothing but a pleasure to see him perform. He was one of the greatest," "Animal Rescue" director Michael Roskam said in a statement (via TheWrap's Jeff Sneider). "I'm so sad, and thinking about his family. I wanted to make him proud with the movie we made together and now it will be in his loving memory."

Holofcener echoed those sentiments. "I'm so heartbroken and shocked," she said. "I'm honored to have known him and worked with him. He was wonderful."

The Best Of James Gandolfini On 'The Sopranos'

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