Eerie GQ Story Explores Gandolfini's Darker Side

Book excerpt reveals time he disappeared from 'Sopranos'
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 20, 2013 10:19 AM CDT
Eerie GQ Story Explores Gandolfini's Darker Side
This undated publicity photo, released by HBO, shows actor James Gandolfini in his role as Tony Soprano.   (AP Photo/HBO, Barry Wetcher, File)

A GQ story that was already on newsstands when James Gandolfini died is rattling: Titled "The Night Tony Soprano Disappeared," it takes a close look at Gandolfini's darker side, from his struggles with drugs and alcohol to his intense, often difficult, and sometimes even self-punishing behavior while on set. The story, an excerpt from Brett Martin's new book, Difficult Men, particularly focuses on a January 2002 incident when Gandolfini simply didn't show up to shoot the final appearance of a Sopranos character.

Cast and crew waited for days, with some fearing the worst. Upon hearing the beginnings of a news report—"Sad news from Hollywood today..."—Sopranos executive producer Terence Winter recalls that his first thought was, "Holy s---! He's dead." But Gandolfini surfaced on the fourth day, after wandering into a Brooklyn beauty salon to use the phone. He called the show's production office and asked for a car to be sent to bring him home. The article does not reveal where he had been during the intervening days. Click to read the full story. (More James Gandolfini stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X