James Gandolfini's Kids: Learn About the Late Star's 2 Children

James Gandolfini created an exceptional legacy in Hollywood with his legendary role on The Sopranos, but he made a much bigger impact on the lives of his family. Behind the scenes, the late star was a loving dad of two kids: Michael Gandolfini and Liliana Gandolfini.

As the son of one of showbiz’s most iconic actors, Michael is very serious about upholding his father’s incredible legacy. The up-and-coming star is set to portray the young version of Tony Soprano in the prequel The Many Saints of Newark, which hits theaters and will be available to stream on HBO Max on October 1.

Speaking to Esquire in August 2019, Michael revealed he didn’t watch James’ award-winning series until he landed the role in the upcoming flick. “I was just a kid when he was making [The Sopranos],” he dished at the time the project was announced. “I would go to the set and ask him what it was about, and he’d say, ‘Oh, it’s about this guy who’s in the mob and kind of goes to therapy.'”

Because Michael didn’t know the ins and outs of his father’s character, stepping into his dad’s shoes was an “intense process.”

“The hardest part of this whole process was watching the show for the first time,” he explained. “Because, as an actor, I had to watch this guy who created the role, to look for mannerisms, voice, all those things I would have to echo.”

In addition, Michael recalled getting emotional watching James on the screen. “Then I’d also be seeing my father … I think what made it so hard was I had to do it alone,” he shared. “I was just sitting alone in my dark apartment, watching my dad all the time.”

James was the dad of his eldest child with his ex-wife, Marcy Wudarski. The Emmy-winning actor wed Marcy in 1999 and welcomed their son that same year. However, the former couple split after three years of marriage in 2002.

Following their split, James moved on with his second wife, Deborah Lin, in 2008. The lovebirds expanded the Enough Said alum’s family in 2012 when they welcomed his second child and their daughter, Liliana. Tragically, James died the following year at age 51 in June 2013 from a heart attack.

To learn more about James’ children, keep scrolling.

Michael Gandolfini

James experienced fatherhood when his son was born on May 10, 1999. Growing up, Michael proved he has brains in addition to his dad’s good looks when he graduated from New York University. According to his LinkedIn, he was a student at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts from 2017 to 2021.

Upon graduation, Michael pursued a career as an actor, writer and producer. As his LinkedIn states, he’s “best known for his roles as Joey Dwyer in the HBO series The Deuce, Weston in The Boy, the Dog and the Clown, Ocean’s 8, Flower, James Gandolfini: A Tribute to a Friend, The Many Saints of Newark, Youngest and Cherry.”

Although Michael is on his way to establishing a showbiz status like his father, he revealed James actually encouraged him to do anything but acting. “As I got older, he wanted me to play sports. I felt that burden,” he told Esquire in August 2019. “I wanted to make him proud. And he said, ‘Don’t be an actor; be a director. They have the power.'”

Michael didn’t take his dad’s advice, but he couldn’t be more excited about following in James’ iconic footsteps. Speaking with People in late September ahead of the premiere of The Many Saints of Newark, Michael opened up about portraying the younger version of James’ legendary character Tony Soprano, saying he “[feels] a bond” with his late father.

“I understand the toll that he went through, the hard work that he put in as an actor that maybe I wouldn’t have known as a kid. I respect him as an actor more,” Michael gushed to the outlet. “This moment means so much more to me in many ways. It means a lot to my family. It’s been a long time coming and I’m just so honored.”

Liliana Gandolfini

Liliana was born on October 10, 2012. Sadly, she was just 9 months old when James died from a heart attack in Rome during a vacation to Italy, Deadline reported at the time.

Since the TV icon’s death, Liliana — as well as her mother, Deborah — have stayed out of the public eye. The last time they were spotted out and about in June 2020, the Daily Mail reported they were living in Los Angeles after leaving New York City, where they lived as a family with James.