James Gandolfini's life and career – in pictures

James Gandolfini with Delroy Lindo in Get Shorty, 1995 Photograph: Moviestore Collection / Rex Feat/Moviestore Collection / Rex Feat

Gandolfini as Tony Soprano with Lorraine Bracco as his psychiatrist, 1999 Photograph: HBO/Everett / Rex Features/HBO/Everett / Rex Features

James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano Photograph: Everett Collection / Rex Feature/Everett Collection / Rex Feature

James Gandolfini with his first wife, Marcy, as he holds his Emmy for lead actor, won for his starring role in The Sopranos, 2000 Photograph: Scott Nelson/AFP/Getty Images

James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano in an episode from the first season Photograph: Anthony Neste/AP

James Gandolfini as General Miller in In the Loop, a comedy directed by Armando Iannucci, 2009 Photograph: Nicola Dove/imagenet/Nicola Dove

James Gandolfini at the Toronto Raptors vs New Jersey Nets, 2007 Photograph: Startraks Photo / Rex Features/Startraks Photo / Rex Features

James Gandolfini signing autographs to raise money for the Carol M Baldwin Breast Cancer Research Fund in New York, 2008 Photograph: Startraks Photo / Rex Features/Startraks Photo / Rex Features

James Gandolfini at the 63rd annual Tony Awards in New York, 2009 Photograph: Jason Kempin/WireImage

James Gandolfini is congratulated on winning best male drama actor for The Sopranos at the 14th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles, 2008 Photograph: Mario Anzuoni/Reuters

James Gandolfini and his second wife, Deborah Lin, at the 2008 Emmys Photograph: Chris Pizzello/AP

Director Tony Scott, left, and James Gandolfini on the set of Columbia Pictures' action thriller The Taking of Pelham 123 Photograph: Snap Stills / Rex Features/Snap Stills / Rex Features

Gandolfini as Tony Soprano in the final season of The Sopranos Photograph: HBO/Everett / Rex Features/HBO/Everett / Rex Features

James Gandolfini in Not Fade Away, 2012 Photograph: Paramount/Courtesy Everett Col/Paramount/Courtesy Everett Col

Gandolfini accepting the award for outstanding male actor in a drama series for his role in The Sopranos at the ninth annual Screen Actors Guild Awards Photograph: Lucy Nicholson/AFP/Getty Images