The Emmy-winning star of The Sopranos died after suffering a possible heart attack while in Italy, where he was attending the Taormina Film Festival. He was 51.
James is survived by wife Deborah Lin son Michael and daughter Liliana (not pictured).
Carrying baby Liliana to a family dinner at Madeo in West Hollywood in May 2013
James married Deborah Lin in Honolulu on August 30, 2008.
The New Jersey-born star, who became synonymous with the role of conflicted mob boss Tony Soprano on David Chase's iconic series, started acting relatively late in life.
Gandolfini won the SAG Award for Male Actor in a Drama Series three times (in 1999, 2002 and 2007).
James and Sopranos costar Edie Falco show off their Globes wins in 2000.
With Jamie-Lynn Sigler at the HBO Emmy afterparty at L.A.'s Pacific Design Center in 2007.
James strikes a pose at the Stella by Starlight Gala benefitting Stella Adler Studio of Acting in NYC in June 2013.
Giving Susan Sarandon a smooch at the Palazzo del Cinema in Venice, Italy, in 2005.
Robert DeNiro, George Clooney and Gandolfini hang backstage at Spike TV's Guys Choice 2010 at Sony Studios in Culver City, Calif.
Rose McGowan tweeted this USO Tour photo after hearing of the actor's passing, writing, "I am heartbroken about James Gandolfini. He was a gentle giant and great man. I love this picture, I loved him."
Brad Pitt and James attend a screening of The Weinstein Company's Killing Them Softly in 2012.
Gandolfini and Kristen Stewart attend a screening of their flick Welcome to the Rileys at NYC's Tribeca Grand Hotel.
Diane Lane and James arrive at the Cinema Verite at the Paramount Theatre in Hollywood in 2011.
Gandolfini and John Travolta attend the Lonely Hearts press conference during the 5th Annual Tribeca Film Festival in 2006.
Gandolfini and Julia Louis-Dreyfus attend HBO's Emmy afterparty at L.A.'s Pacific Design Center in 2012.
Gandolfini and Ben Affleck hit the Surviving Christmas Los Angeles premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood in 2004.
Buddying up with Bret Michaels at the the 63rd Annual Tony Awards at Radio City Music Hall in 2009.
With Tom Hanks at the Where the Wild Things Are premiere afterparty at NYC's Museum of Modern Art on October 2009.
With Sopranos creator David Chase at a book release party for Steve Schirripa's A Goomba's Guide to Life.
NEXT GALLERY: Celebrity Deaths: 2013's Fallen Stars