Actor James Gandolfini dies at 51

Actor James Gandolfini, best known for his role as mob boss Tony Soprano, died Wednesday while on holiday in Rome. He was 51.

"It is with immense sorrow that we report our client James Gandolfini passed away today while on holiday in Rome, Italy," said his managers in a statement.

"Our hearts are shattered and we will miss him deeply. He and his family were part of our family for many years and we are all grieving."

The HBO TV network said Gandolfini died of a possible heart attack. He was reportedly set to attend a film festival in Sicily.

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"We're all in shock and feeling immeasurable sadness at the loss of a beloved member of our family," HBO said in a statement. "He was special man, a great talent, but more importantly a gentle and loving person who treated everyone no matter their title or position with equal respect. He touched so many of us over the years with his humor, his warmth and his humility.

"Our hearts go out to his wife and children during this terrible time. He will be deeply missed by all of us."

Gandolfini won three Emmys for his role on the HBO series 'The Sopranos,' which aired from 1999 to 2007 and helped establish the cable network. He was also recently in the film 'Zero Dark Thirty' and was part of the Tony Award-winning Broadway comedy 'God of Carnage.'