James Gandolfini, known for playing the iconic role of Tony Soprano on "The Sopranos," was enjoying his "marvelous" day in Rome with his family before his untimely death.
According to USA Today, Gandolfini was enjoying his day with his family before his the alleged heart attack took the actor's life. The "Sopranos" actor was in Italy for the Taormina Film Festival where he was to attend the festival and receive a special award.
"He was so happy to be in Italy, to reconnect with his Italian roots, and he was very excited to come here and receive this award," Mario Sesti said, the artistic director of the festival. Sesti also confirmed that Saturday's roundtable discussion will pay tribute to the late actor and will feature film clips of the actor's well-known roles.
More information in regards to his death is coming to light. The family was staying at the Boscolo Exedra Hotel where the late actor suffered the attack.
"We all had a marvelous day together, and when he returned to the hotel Jimmy [Gandolfini] went to the bathroom and that is where something happened," Gandolfini's assistant, Tom Richardson said.
Michael, Gandfolfini's son had called the reception to alert them of the emergency that was taking place.
"He just felt bad and his son called reception," said Laura Conti, a spokesperson for the hotel. "They (staff) went to the room. And as soon as they saw that something was wrong they immediately called an ambulance that brought him to hospital."
The call was received sometime around 9 p.m.
"We were alerted by the director of the Boscolo Hotel Exedra and sent two ambulances," Claudio Modini, the director of Rome's Policlinco Umberto's emergency room. "They arrived within eight minutes. They tried to revive Mr. Gandolfini, [who was] in cardiac arrest, [and] was already critical. Efforts to restart his heart at the hospital went on for 40 minutes, with no effect. He was pronounced dead at 10:40 p.m."
No word yet on any funeral plans for the actor. Gandolfini was 51-years old.
