All About James Gandolfini's Son, Michael Gandolfini

Mar. 15, 2025

James Gandolfini and Michael Gandolfini. ; Michael Gandolfini attends a New York screening of “The Whale” on November 29, 2022 in New York City.Photo:Michael Gandolfini Instagram ; Taylor Hill/WireImage

Michael Gandolfini Instagram ; Taylor Hill/WireImage

If the name Michael Gandolfini rings a bell, it’s thanks to his father,James Gandolfini, the star ofThe Sopranos, who died in 2013.

Michael, who was only 14 when his dad died, found himself reprising his father’s famous role years later in 2021’s prequel filmThe Many Saints of Newark.Heearned enormous praiseas a young Tony Soprano,particularly from his stepmotherDeborah Lin, who toldPage Six, “It was almost surreal to see Michael in the trailer. I know it took a lot of courage for him to take this role. It was very emotional.”

Ahead of the film’s release, the actor had admitted toThe New York Timesthat he felt a certain degree of pressure about taking on the part. He explained, “There’s fear. But the second layer, that a lot of people don’t think about, which was actually harder, is to play Tony Soprano… not only was it the feeling of my dad—it was like, Tony Soprano is a [expletive] hard character.”

In addition toNewark, Michael’s additional credits includeOcean’s Eightand the upcoming Bob Marley biopicOne Love. Here is a look at the life of actor Michael Gandolfini.

James Gandolfini and Michael Gandolfini.Michael Gandolfini Instagram

Michael Gandolfini Instagram

Michael’s father James died in 2013 while the father and son were traveling in Italy with Michael’s stepmother and stepsister. Michael was only 14 at the time.

He grew up in New York City and Los Angeles

James Gandolfini, Michael Gandolfini and Marcy Gandolfini attend “Shrek the Third” Dreamworks Special Screening on May 14, 2007 in New York City.LIZ BROWN/Patrick McMullan/Getty

LIZ BROWN/Patrick McMullan/Getty

Michael spent much of his childhood in New York, where he was born in May 1999 to James and his ex-wife Marcy Wudarski. He toldMr. Feel Goodthat he grew up in both the city and in Los Angeles. He also told the outlet that he’s “grateful” for the experience of living in both cities and added, “I traveled between both for most of my life, and I think that they defined me in lots of ways. I’ve met a lot of people and seen a lot of things.”

He played his dad’s Sopranos character

Shutterstock; Everett

In 2021 Michael resurrected his father’s character fromThe Sopranoswhen he starred as Tony Soprano in the prequelThe Many Saints of Newark. Despite that incredibly close tie, the younger Gandolfinimade one thing clear: “I didn’t play my dad,” he said. “I played Tony.”

He also said that part of taking on the role meant getting his father’s physical gestures and mannerisms down. Michael explained, “Like I look like my dad, I don’t have the gestures. I don’t have the accent, the way he uses his eyes. All those things are things I wanted to develop because if I could get his physicality, I might be able to have more leeway to do what I want emotionally.”

Playing Tony Soprano also meant that Michael had to reckon with the fact that his dad would never be able to enjoy his performance. In an interview withWSJ Magazine,he acknowledged, “I had known there isn’t a world where I’m going to make my dad proud — because I can’t. I understand that. But I wanted to make [producer] David proud, and I wanted to make my fellow actors proud and learn as much as I can — that was a goal I could set.”

WatchingThe Sopranoswas an emotional experience for him

Michael Gandolfini attends the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party on March 12, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California.Amy Sussman/Getty

Amy Sussman/Getty

Michael had never watchedThe Sopranosbefore he took on the part of Tony forNewark, and he toldEsquirethat the experience was an emotional one. The actor toldThe New York Timesthat he chose to watch the entire first season alone, and added, “It was hard to watch my dad alone and then having no one to lean onto.”

The experience of playing the same character offered him a unique insight into his father, Michael added. “He so wasnotTony,” he said. “The only insight that I think I gained was deep pride in him. I’m exhausted after three months — you did that for nine years?”

He has been sober since 2017

Michael Gandolfini.Michael Gandolfini Instagram

In May 2020 Michaelshared on Instagramthat he had been sober for three years. The actor posted the news on his 21st birthday. He captioned a photo of himself in front of a birthday cake, “Being sober and in recovery these last few years is the greatest gift I could have on my 21st birthday. Thank you all for the incredible birthday wishes. My life is so beautiful because of my amazing family, friends, and community. I’m very, very lucky. Love you all.”

While speaking toEsquire, he said, “Technically, I’ve never had a legal drink. I’m part of the sober ‘never had a legal drink’ group that I love.” Michael added that he shares his sobriety journey online in part because it’s so deeply personal. As he put it, “I had this disease in me, it runs in my family, and I’m so proud that I’m sober. I had to get sober young because I knew that from history and from just my acting out, I sort of have this disease.”

Michael added, “I’m very vocal about my sobriety, because it’s saved my life and it’s allowed me to have gratitude … it saved my life.”

His dad said everything he did was for Michael

James Gandolfini with son Michael during Celebrities Attend Toronto Raptors vs. New Jersey Nets Game on May 4, 2007.James Devaney/WireImage

James Devaney/WireImage

In March 2004, James sat down for a lengthy interview withInside the Actor’s Studio. While his career was certainly the focus of many of the questions, he was also asked what he does to relax and take a break from it all. For James, the answer was clear: “I read a lot. And my son — playing with my son [4-year-old Michael] really takes me right out of all this, because it’s all about him.”

Later in the interview, James also said that he hoped he wouldn’t be typecast as a mafia boss forever, primarily because he wanted his son to be able to enjoy his work. As he put it, “I can’t keep doing Mafia roles. That would be idiotic. I think having a son, I don’t want to go to those places as much, you know what I mean? You want to play different types of characters that your son could see. If you do character after character of dark people, I think eventually it might begin to bug you.”

source: people.com