James Gandolfini: The Real Life of the Man Who Made Tony Soprano (Thorndike Press Large Print Biography) - Hardcover

Bischoff, Dan

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1410469719 ISBN 13: 9781410469717

Publisher: Thorndike Press, 2014

Synopsis

"James Gandolfini: The Real Life of the Man Who Made Tony Soprano" is the first biography of the actor who died, in June 2013 at age 51, widely recognized as one of the best--and most defining--actors of his generation. The book is informed by fresh interviews with "Sopranos" actors, HBO executives, the star's acting teachers and coaches, his childhood friends, buddies from his days as a nightclub bouncer, and Hollywood figures including the directors of his posthumously released films. Bischoff decodes Gandolfini's portrayal of mobsters and bad guys from his breakout role in "True Romance "with Patricia Arquette to the television series role that made his career, including his portrayals of real people like Leon Panetta "in Zero Dark Thirty." Gandolfini's personal life--from his marriages and family interactions to his deep friendships with his fellow cast members--enriches and enlivens this book, and deepens our understanding of the star."James Gandolfini: The Real Life of the Man Who Made Tony Soprano" is a fascinating look at Gandolfini's complicated relationship to his roots, to the role that made him wealthy beyond his imagination, and to American notions of masculinity, power and fame. Even as he scaled the heights of his profession, creating a TV character as vivid as Carroll O'Connor's Archie Bunker and as volcanic as Marlon Brando's Stanley Kowalski, Gandolfini remained a reluctant celebrity dedicated more to his craft than to his career. "James Gandolfini: The Real Life of the Man Who Made Tony Soprano" delivers a textured, multilayered portrait of the on- and off-screen life of a complex, talented man who rose from an Italian immigrant family in northern New Jersey to join the ranks of America's most iconic actors.

About this title

Review:

"[Bischoff] shines in his behind-the-scenes explorations...An earnest, endearing homage to an outstanding actor."--"Kirkus Reviews"

[Bischoff] shines in his behind-the-scenes explorations...An earnest, endearing homage to an outstanding actor. "Kirkus Reviews""

[Bischoff] shines in his behind-the-scenes explorations...An earnest, endearing homage to an outstanding actor. Kirkus Reviews"

About the Author:

DAN BISCHOFF is the award-winning art critic for the "Star-Ledger," where he has been covering art and culture in New Jersey and New York since 1996. Previously, as the chief political and investigative editor at "The Village Voice," he developed pieces that won several awards. Bischoff's writing has been published in the "Voice," "Mother Jones," "The Nation," "The San Francisco Chronicle," "The St. Petersburg Times, ARTnews," "The Deal," "CBS MoneyWatch.com," and elsewhere. He lives in South Orange, New Jersey.

About this edition

• Publisher: Thorndike Press
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1410469719
• ISBN 13: 9781410469717
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 311