It might be hard to believe that the actor who played tough guy Tony Soprano for 10 years on “The Sopranos” could be afraid of anything, but actor James Gandolfini said that the transition from television to stage was absolutely terrifying. Gandolfini is currently starring in “God of Carnage” on Broadway, and revealed that it was rough going for him in the beginning, but his co-stars helped him through it.
James Gandolfini may not seem like the type to suffer from stage fright, but he says his transition from the small screen to the Great White Way was more than a little “nerve-racking.”
“But once you get the hang of it, you’re fine,” the New Jersey-born tough guy told us after after the premiere of his Broadway play, “God of Carnage.” “The best part is, I’m making people laugh now. And that’s a good thing.”
The burly actor shared that his co-stars Jeff Daniels, Marcia Gay Harden and Hope Davis “were very cool and patient. I still f— up now and again, but that’s life. I don’t get nervous now. It’s starting to become fun.”
Despite the three-time Emmy winner’s desire for distance from his HBO role in “The Sopranos,” there are visible flashes of mob boss Tony during Gandolfini’s angrier scenes. But he’s quick to say that’s not intentional.
“Naw, that’s just me,” he said with a chuckle and a hand rub along the back of his neck. “There are gonna be some similarities. I played that role for 10 years.”
Luckily, audiences seem eager to say ciao to Tony Soprano and embrace the new Gandolfini. In its second full week of previews, “God of Carnage” posted a $32,201 gain in box office sales over the previous week, according to Playbill.com.
Performing live on stage is often listed as one of the top three biggest fears- along with snakes and flying in an airplane. For an actor, though, stage fright can be harmful for your career. There is a big difference between acting in a TV show – where there are numerous chances for an actor to get a line or emotion right – and being in front of a live audience. You mess up on stage, and there’s no second chance to get it right – you have to know your stuff! At least James is honest about it. The only thing that makes me sad about his Broadway debut is, as long as he’s doing other projects, my hope for a “Sopranos” movie is dashed. My Sunday nights haven’t been the same since the show went off the air!
Here’s James Gandolfini with wife Deborah Yin at the 2008 Emmy Awards. Photos: Fame.
Good to hear of Gandolfini on stage. Hope to see him in future films.
Hubby and I are going to see it this Sunday… hope its good.