How tragedy, addiction & 'embarrassing' career fails have blighted cast of The Sopranos after death of actor Paul Herman
THE death of actor Paul Herman has sparked an outpouring of grief from his Sopranos castmates.
His passing was confirmed by fellow star Michael Imperioli – who played Christopher Moltisanti in the HBO crime drama – on Tuesday evening.
Imperioli wrote: "Our friend and colleague Paul Herman has passed away. Paulie was just a great dude.
“A first-class storyteller and raconteur and one hell of an actor.
"Goodfellas, Once Upon A Time In America, The Irishman, and of course The Sopranos are some highlights."
And Lorraine Bracco, who played Tony Soprano's psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi, called Herman "the one and only."
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She added: "A loving soul with a great sense of humor, Paulie Herman. REST IN PEACE."
On screens for eight years and six series, The Sopranos broke boundaries and has been credited with changing the TV landscape.
Now – 15 years after the hit TV show ended – The Sun looks at how tragedy has blighted some of the cult series' biggest stars.
DEAD AT 51
James Gandolfini starred as the troubled New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano through six seasons of the HBO series.
After the Sopranos ended in 2007, James transitioned into producing.
But sadly, the actor died on June 19, 2013, of a heart attack while on holiday in Rome. He was 51.
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Writer David Chase loosely based his protagonist on real-life gangster Vinny Ocean, boss of the New Jersey DeCavalcante crime family.
James won the hearts of viewers with his nuanced turn as the anti-hero and scooped up three Emmy Awards.
Gandolfini was married twice to Marcy Wudarski and then to Deborah Lin. He has two kids, Michael and Liliana.
Michael has followed in his father's footsteps, playing a younger version of Tony Soprano in a recent prequel film.
'EMBARRASSING' CAREER
Played by Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Meadow Soprano is Tony and Carmela’s firstborn.
The 40-year-old went on to star as Heidi Fleiss in Call Me: The Rise and Fall of Heidi Fleiss. She also had a cameo role in Mariah Carey’s single Through the Rain.
She went on to star as Heidi Fleiss, the American upmarket madame, in Call Me: The Rise and Fall of Heidi Fleiss.
Sigler also had a cameo role in Mariah Carey’s single Through the Rain.
But she reportedly called her own attempts at a music career "embarrassing" after releasing her album Here to Heaven.
The actress is also a passionate spokeswoman for the National Eating Disorders Association, after her own struggles with the illness while starring in the Sopranos.
Sigler married baseball player Cutter Dykstra in 2016.
They have two sons, Beau Kyle and Jack Adam Dykstra.
Two years ago Sigler revealed she has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) at the age of 20.
She told People: "I can’t walk for a long period of time without resting. I cannot run. No superhero roles for me.
"When I walk, I have to think about every single step, which is annoying and frustrating."
ADDICTION BATTLE
Robert Iler all but left the spotlight after his run as Tony Soprano's troubled son, A.J.
The 36-year-old struggled with substance abuse and addiction but says he has been clean and sober since 2013.
Robert moved to Las Vegas after the mob drama ended, and entered the world of professional poker.
He has co-hosted a podcast with Jamie-Lynn called Pajama Pants.
CANCER DEATH
Joseph Siravo, the actor best known for playing Tony Soprano's father in the hit series The Sopranos, died in April last year.
The 64-year-old passed away after a long battle with cancer.
The news was confirmed by actor Gerry Pastore on Instagram who shared a picture of Siravo with a touching caption.
"RIP my dear friend, who fought an incredible fight. I will miss you. See you on the other side."
Gerry added: "He was a true gent to boot and as you well know hard to find that mutual bond and sincerity.
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"Acting has always been a passion and finding true friends that lift you up and support was often difficult."
His role as Johnny Soprano saw him in flashbacks as Tony's troublesome father over the space of five episodes.
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