What was James Gandolfini's Net Worth and Salary?
James Gandolfini was an American actor and producer who had a net worth of $70 million at the time of his death in 2013. James Gandolfini was most famous for his award-winning portrayal of Tony Soprano on the hit HBO TV series "The Sopranos." He also appeared in movies such as "True Romance," "Get Shorty" and "Zero Dark Thirty."
Gandolfini's journey in the entertainment industry began in the late 1980s with small roles in New York theater and films. His early film work included roles in "True Romance" (1993), where he played a hitman, showcasing his ability to bring depth to intense and complex characters. This role captured the attention of filmmakers, leading to more substantial roles in films like "Get Shorty" (1995) and "The Mexican" (2001).
However, it was his role in "The Sopranos" (1999-2007) that catapulted Gandolfini to stardom. His portrayal of Tony Soprano, a troubled mob boss struggling with personal and professional challenges, was widely acclaimed for its authenticity and depth. Gandolfini's performance won him three Emmy Awards, and the show itself revolutionized television, being credited with ushering in the era of the anti-hero.
Beyond "The Sopranos," Gandolfini continued to demonstrate his versatility with roles in films such as "In the Loop" (2009), a satirical black comedy, and "Enough Said" (2013), a romantic comedy where he showcased a softer, more vulnerable side. He also returned to the stage, appearing in Broadway productions, which reflected his deep roots in theater.
Gandolfini was also involved in producing documentaries, such as "Alive Day Memories: Home from Iraq" (2007) and "Wartorn: 1861-2010" (2010), focusing on the impact of war on soldiers. These projects highlighted his interest in social issues and his ability to use his platform to shed light on important topics.
Sopranos Salary
James' salary for the first two seasons of The Sopranos was a total of $5 million – $2.5 million per season. In season three his salary was doubled to $400,000 per episode, roughly $5 million per season. Ahead of season 4, James negotiated a pay bump to $800,000 per episode, around $10 million for the season.
James earned $1 million per episode for the 21 episode two-part season 6. He is only one of a handful of actors who have earned more than $1 million per episode. After adjusting for inflation, he stands as the 8th highest-paid TV actor of all time.
According to legend, ahead of season 4, James gifted each of 14 co-stars a check for $33,000 as a thank you for sticking with him as he negotiated for a higher contract.
HBO also once paid James $3 million to turn down a guest starring role on "The Office."
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Early Life
James Gandolfini was born James Joseph Gandolfini Jr. on September 18, 1961, in Westwood, New Jersey. His mother, Santa, was a high school food service worker, and his father, James, was a Purple Heart recipient (World War II) who worked as a bricklayer, cement mason, and head custodian. James Sr. was born in Italy, and Santa, born in the United States and raised in Naples, was of Italian descent. James grew up with 2 younger sisters, Leta and Johanna, and his parents were devout Roman Catholics.
Education
Gandolfini graduated from Park Ridge High School in 1979. While attending high school, James enjoyed playing basketball and acting in school plays, and he was named "Class Flirt" in his senior yearbook. In 1983, he graduated from Rutgers University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications. After moving to New York, he studied the Meisner acting technique for 2 years under Kathryn Gately at The Gately Poole Conservatory.
Television Career
Gandolfini is best known for his critically-acclaimed role as mob boss/family man Tony Soprano on HBO's "The Sopranos." The show ran from 1999 to 2007, and Gandolfini's performance earned him 3 Primetime Emmy Awards, an AFI Award, a Golden Globe, 3 Screen Actors Guild Awards, and 3 TCA Awards. James also appeared in 3 television films: 1997's "12 Angry Men," 2011's "Cinema Verite," and 2013's "Nicky Deuce." He produced the HBO documentary "Alive Day Memoirs: Home from Iraq," in which he interviewed 10 injured and recently-returned veterans in an effort to explore and expose their feelings about war and violence. Gandolfini also produced documentary "Wartorn: 1861–2010" and biopic "Hemingway & Gellhorn" for HBO.
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Movie Career
Gandolfini appeared in more than 40 movies, including "True Romance," "Crimson Tide," "Get Shorty," "8mm," "The Taking of Pelham 123," and "Zero Dark Thirty." After a casting director saw James' performance as mob enforcer Virgil in 1993's "True Romance," he was invited to audition for "The Sopranos."
Gandolfini's first role was in 1987's "Shock! Shock! Shock!", and his final works, "Enough Said" and "The Drop," were released posthumously. "Enough Said," a romantic comedy co-starring Julia Louis-Dreyfus earned James a posthumous Best Supporting Actor Award from the Boston Society of Film Critics as well as nominations from the Screen Actors Guild, Broadcast Film Critics Association, Chicago Film Critics Association, Independent Spirit Awards, London Film Critics Circle, and Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association.
Broadway Career
In 1992, Gandolfini made his Broadway debut as Steve Hubbell in "A Streetcar Named Desire" at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre; he played the role for 168 performances and co-starred with Jessica Lange and Alec Baldwin. He also played Charley Malloy in a 1995 production of "On the Waterfront" and Michael in a 2009 production of "God of Carnage," a role that earned him a Tony nomination.
Personal Life
James married Marcy Wudarski in March 1999, and they welcomed a son, Michael, later that year. The marriage ended in divorce in 2002. In 2021 Michael Gandolfini starred in the HBO film "The Many Saints of Newark," which takes place in the Sopranos universe. Michael has continued to act, including a role in 2023's "Beau Is Afraid" and 2024's "Bob Marley: One Love."
Gandolfini married Deborah Lin in August 2008. Their daughter, Liliana, was born in October 2012.
Real Estate
Gandolfini owned property in New York City, Lake Manitoba Narrows in Canada, and Chester Township and Tewksbury Township in New Jersey. James paid $1.5 million for the 5600 square foot Tewksbury home in 2009.
Death
Sadly, James Gandolfini died on June 19th, 2013, at the age of 51. After spending the day sightseeing with his family in Rome, his 13-year-old son, Michael, found James unconscious on the bathroom floor in their suite at the Boscolo Exedra Hotel. Hotel reception summoned paramedics, but Gandolfini was pronounced dead twenty minutes after his arrival at the hospital. An autopsy confirmed that James died of a heart attack. Gandolfini had been planning to travel to Sicily a few days later to accept an award at the Taormina Film Fest, but the festival organized a tribute instead, playing a montage of his most memorable roles on a movie screen while an audience of thousands mourned the star's untimely passing.
On June 23rd, Gandolfini's body was returned to the United States, and his funeral was held on June 27th at Manhattan's Cathedral of St. John the Divine. New Jersey Governor Chris Christie ordered New Jersey state buildings to fly flags at half-staff on June 24th to honor Gandolfini's achievements and contributions, and on June 26th, Broadway theaters paid tribute to James, dimming their marquee lights.
Estate
At the time of his death, James Gandolfini's net worth was $70 million. Roughly half of his estate's value was reportedly set aside to pay taxes.
James was survived by his second wife, Deborah Lin and two children. He had a 13-year-old son named Michael Gandolfini from his first marriage and an eight month old daughter named Liliana from his marriage to Deborah. He left behind a rather interesting and complex will.
According to the will he signed two months after the birth of Liliana, Liliana and Deborah would each inherit 20% of his estate upon his death. The remaining 60% of his estate was divided in equal parts amongst his two sisters. Note that Michael Gandolfini was NOT left a share of this portion of James' estate.
James did not accidentally leave Michael out. As he stated in the will:
"I have in mind my beloved son Michael… I have made other provisions for him."
Those "other provisions" started with a life insurance trust fund that was worth $7 million in 2013. The trust fund was created as a condition of his 2002 divorce from first wife Marcella Wudarski. Michael also inherited all of his fathers clothing and jewelry.
Michael and Liliana each received 50% of a property in Manhattan and land in Italy. In his will James stated:
"It is my hope and desire that they will continue to own said property and keep it in our family as long as possible."
Michael also had the right of first refusal on the Manhattan property.
James set aside $500,000 for each of his two nieces and $100-200,000 to half dozen friends.
Legacy
During his career, Gandolfini earned more than 20 awards and 50 nominations. He was posthumously inducted into the New Jersey Hall of Fame in 2014, and Park Avenue in Park Ridge was renamed "James Gandolfini Way" in 2013. In 2019, Gandolfini's son, Michael, was cast to play a younger version of Tony Soprano in the prequel film " The Many Saints of Newark."
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