James Gandolfini (1961-2013) – Actor & Producer
James Gandolfini was an American actor best known for his role as Tony Soprano in The Sopranos as Tony Soprano, a troubled crime boss struggling to balance his family life and career in the Mafia. Gandolfini garnered enormous praise for his portrayal, winning three Emmy Awards, three Screen Actors Guild Awards (SAG) and two Golden Globes for Best Actor-Drama Series as well as two further SAG Awards as a member of the series ensemble. Gandolfini was also the producer of the 2007 documentary Alive Day Memories: Home from Iraq in which he interviewed 10 injured Iraq War veterans. He also produced the 2010 documentary Warton: 1861 -2010, in which he analyzes posttraumatic stress disorder and its impact on soldiers and families.
Gandolfini died unexpectedly from a heart attack in June 2013 while vacationing with his family in Rome, Italy. Gandolfini’s Will bequeathed his daughter, Lillian Ruth, 20% of his estate which she receives outright at the age of 21. Gandolfini’s Will, which is governed by New York law, also leaves a house and land located in Italy in a testamentary trust for the benefit of his son, Michael and his daughter, Lilian. and Gandolfini additionally set up an Irrevocable Life Insurance Trust (ILIT) for the benefit of his son, Michael. The Trust also owns a life insurance policy on Gandolfini’s life in the amount of $7 million, which will pass to his son free from estate taxes. Lastly, Gandolfini named his wife, Deborah Lin, his sister, Leta Gandolfini, and his attorney, Roger Hager, as Co-Executors of his Will and Co-Trustees of the testamentary trusts created under the will, insuring the best interests of all his beneficiaries.
We honor James Gandolfini because his estate planning makes him a Legacy Champ. If you want to be a Legacy Champ in your own special way, then contact The Mendel Law Firm, L.P. for a free initial consultation on estate planning, trust planning, and/or probate issues.
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