James Gandolfini
An Irreverent Thought
Much-honored James Gandolfini, who created the Tony Soprano character in "The Sopranos," was a favorite of mine even before he landed the role that made him famous.
So it should be seen as an innocent question, rather than a sign of disrespect, that I ask: was it the actor, or was it the role, that made Gandolfini such an icon before his untimely death in Italy just yesterday?