NJ Gov. Chris Christie (AP)
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie is ordering all government buildings in the Garden State to fly flags at half-staff on Monday to honor “Sopranos” star and Jersey native James Gandolfini.
“James Gandolfini enjoyed an extraordinarily successful acting career across television, film and Broadway, including his popularly acclaimed role as Tony Soprano in ‘The Sopranos’ and advocated for United States service members and veterans in his two documentaries, ‘Alive Day Memories: Home From Iraq’ and ‘Wartorn: 1861-2010,’” Christie’s office said in a press statement.
“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,” the Christie statement said.
Christie said Gandolfini was a Jersey boy through and through. Born in Westwood, he graduated from Park Ridge High School and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers University.
Gandolfini died of sudden heart failure on Wednesday while vacationing in Italy, shocking his legions of fans and friends.
Today I ordered flags to be lowered throughout the state Monday in memory of New Jersey native James Gandolfini. http://t.co/GUtEnOnJXv
— Governor Christie (@GovChristie) June 21, 2013