Jamie Lynn Sigler is reflecting on the final second she shared with actor James Gandolfini, highlighting their shut bond. The 2 labored collectively on “The Sopranos” for the present’s total run, portraying father and daughter Tony and Meadow Soprano.
She additionally spoke about how her on-screen father supported her all through her battle with a number of sclerosis (MS), recalling his kindness, encouragement, and the lasting influence he had on her each throughout and after their time on the collection.
In an interview for a canopy story with Us Weekly, Jamie Lynn Sigler recalled the final time she noticed her on-screen father, James Gandolfini, earlier than he handed away in 2013. It was simply months earlier than his demise, and so they noticed one another at a on line casino. “I used to be blissful to see him in a fantastic marriage and in a fantastic area in his life,” the actress mentioned.
“We had been each like, ‘We’re good. Take a look at us’,” mentioned Sigler, including that Gandolfini requested her if she wanted his assist strolling. At the moment, Sigler had not revealed to the general public that she had MS, an autoimmune illness that assaults the nervous system, and the actor was one of many solely few individuals she shared her analysis with.
“I mentioned ‘I’m OK,’ and he mentioned, ‘Alright, you inform me should you need assistance.’ I keep in mind him being proud. It was a fantastic second,” Sigler mentioned.
James Gandolfini Was The Solely One On ‘The Sopranos’ Who Knew Of The Actress’ Prognosis
Elsewhere within the interview, Sigler shared how Gandolfini helped reduce her burden as she battled her illness in secret. The actress was recognized with MS when she was 20 years previous, round 2001 to 2002, nevertheless it wasn’t till 2016 that she shared it with the world, fearing that going public together with her ailment would have restricted her profession alternatives.
Sigler instructed Us Weekly that Gandolfini would typically pull her apart and ask how she was doing. “However by no means at work and by no means in entrance of anyone. It shifted loads of the vitality for me, simply understanding that any person is aware of my secret,” she mentioned.
In a 2024 episode of the “Work in Progress” podcast, Sigler talked concerning the second she told Gandolfini about her MS. “I keep in mind him placing his huge paw on my shoulder and he’s like, ‘No matter you want, I’m not gonna inform anybody, however no matter you want, you let me know’,” Sigler recalled, including that the actor was “probably the most loving, mild presence.”
The Second Jamie Lynn Sigler Discovered Out About Her On-Display screen Father’s Demise
In 2013, Gandolfini was on trip in Italy along with his household when he had a heart attack. He was found unconscious in his resort toilet in Rome, and paramedics tried life-saving measures on the way in which to the hospital, however he was declared useless on arrival. He was 51 years previous.
In an episode of “Oprah: The place Are They Now?” Sigler recalled the second she discovered about Gandolfini’s demise. She acquired a name from certainly one of her “Sopranos” co-stars, Vince Curatola, who mentioned, “All of us had been confused as to who ought to name you as a result of we all know you’re pregnant… however Jim’s gone.”
Sigler said she was shocked and cried rather a lot. “It was surreal, as a result of what number of occasions had we finished funeral scenes as a forged? And to put to relaxation our chief — he was the solar and we had been the planets throughout him. So the entire ‘Sopranos’ life type of got here to an finish at that second,” the actress shared.
The Actress Realized Quite a few Classes From Gandolfini
A few years after Gandolfini’s demise, Sigler shared that the actor taught her to be extra assertive on set and to achieve confidence, telling her that her opinion mattered and that a part of appearing was collaborating, not simply being directed.
“He taught me the right way to improv slightly bit, and he taught me to belief my instincts,” she mentioned, including that she discovered rather a lot from the actor simply by being round him on set. “You simply felt like every part’s going to be okay… he was simply your chief and your protector,” Sigler mentioned of Gandolfini’s presence.
Jamie Lynn Sigler Shares James Gandolfini’s Touching Gesture
In a 2024 dialog with Justin Lengthy on the podcast “Life is Quick,” Sigler recalled how Gandolfini supported her indirectly, along with at all times checking in together with her. The actress mentioned that her “Sopranos” father had at all times been protecting of her, particularly after he came upon she had MS. “I came upon after his demise that he donated to MS organizations continuously for me,” Sigler instructed Lengthy.
Sigler shared her MS analysis in 2016 by way of an interview with PEOPLE, saying that she was lastly able to “dwell my reality.” “I don’t wish to maintain a secret the place it seems like I’ve one thing to be ashamed of or one thing to cover,” she mentioned.
Sigler has lived with MS for greater than 20 years and hosts the podcast “MeSsy” with Christina Applegate, who can be residing with the situation.
