Story highlights
- The Sopranos was shot in many New Jersey locations
- Fans still visit some of the places where the show was filmed
- One owner recalls the graciousness of the late James Gandolfini
Six years have passed since the final episode of "The Sopranos" aired, but the location of that last shoot, Holsten's Brookdale Confectionery, still boasts the connection to the show.
The Bloomfield, New Jersey, ice cream parlor still draws visitors who want to see the place where the fictional Tony Soprano may have met his end.
On Wednesday, Holsten's owner reflected on the death of James Gandolfini, the actor who played the mob boss. Gandolfini died in Italy, possibly of a heart attack.
"It was a great honor, one of the highlights of my life" to have the final episode shot at Holsten's, owner Chris Carley said.
He recalls how gracious Gandolfini was, posing for pictures and signing autographs for his staff.
Photos: 'So long, paisan:' Fans mourn Gandolfini
Photos: 'So long, paisan:' Fans mourn Gandolfini
'So long, paisan:' Fans mourn Gandolfini – When the news broke on Wednesday that "The Sopranos" star James Gandolfini died at 51, tributes poured in around the world, including CNN iReport. "So long, paisan" was how Orlando, Florida, resident Pat Tantalo chose to say goodbye to the friend he met on the set of the 2006 film "Lonely Hearts." "When Jimmy arrived, he was bigger than life. He shook everyone's hands and made sure he learned everyone's name. We were just finishing a production meeting and we introduced ourselves. We instantly connected. He planted his huge mitts on my shoulders and called me a little bull."
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Photos: 'So long, paisan:' Fans mourn Gandolfini
'So long, paisan:' Fans mourn Gandolfini – Randy Robinson worked on the set of "Lonely Hearts" as well. "When I first met him it took a little time for him to warm up to you, but after he did, he was like a big funny bear. He was very tired on many occasions on set. There was this old couch where he would lay down for a much-needed nap. He snored louder than a bear could growl. They actually had to wake him because the microphones would pick it up."
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Photos: 'So long, paisan:' Fans mourn Gandolfini
'So long, paisan:' Fans mourn Gandolfini – Julio Ortiz-Teissonniere met Gandolfini outside of his Broadway show, "God of Carnage," in 2009."I thought how cool it was when he spoke to a former classmate of his that was standing next to me waiting to get his autograph. He remembered her and he even asked about another classmate."
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Photos: 'So long, paisan:' Fans mourn Gandolfini
'So long, paisan:' Fans mourn Gandolfini – Erin Farley went to several locations in North Caldwell, New Jersey, the morning after Gandolfini died, including the Holsten's Ice Cream Parlor, site of the famous final scene of the series. "Being from New Jersey, Tony Soprano was always a name I heard growing up. And yesterday when he passed away, my state was so affected and I wanted to find out why."
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Photos: 'So long, paisan:' Fans mourn Gandolfini
'So long, paisan:' Fans mourn Gandolfini – Farley pointed out that, as of Wednesday night, "Ice cream eaters can sit anywhere but the booth that Tony Soprano sat in during the very last episode. A reserved sign sits on the table alongside a newspaper dedicated to Gandolfini."
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Photos: 'So long, paisan:' Fans mourn Gandolfini
'So long, paisan:' Fans mourn Gandolfini – Neigbors and fans flocked to the home which was used as the home of the Sopranos to pay their respects. "The neighbors remember him as a friendly guy who would just come up and hug you. Though he played a criminal on television, they say he was one of the nicest men and always waved hello."
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Photos: 'So long, paisan:' Fans mourn Gandolfini
'So long, paisan:' Fans mourn Gandolfini – Farley saw a candle and a bag of pasta left in front of the driveway, in "Tony's" memory. "It was really interesting to listen to people call him Tony and not James. Everyone called him Tony, that's just who he is. He was an icon for New Jersey and it shows."
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Photos: 'So long, paisan:' Fans mourn Gandolfini
'So long, paisan:' Fans mourn Gandolfini – Art Frewin named his Wellin, Ontario, bar the "Bada Bing Roadhouse," inspired by "The Sopranos," and paid tribute on the sign outside his establishment when he heard the news. "I was sorry to see Tony ... James pass away. We'll always know him as Tony, you know. I thought he was a brilliant actor who played a brilliant part. I was very taken aback. 51 is way too young."
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2000: 'Sopranos' success surprised me 01:48
Gupta: 51 is young for a heart attack 01:31
"He was a very down-to-earth man when the camera wasn't rolling," he said.
The actor bought sushi for everyone on the second day of shooting, and Carley remembers Gandolfini sitting in the driveway in the back of the building, lit cigar in hand.
"It was like he was holding court, everyone around him listening and laughing," he said.
Many New Jersey establishments were touched by the show.
The strip club on "The Sopranos," the Bada Bing Club, is also a strip club in real life, albeit with a different name.
Like Holsten's, Satin Dolls in Lodi does not forget its Soprano ties. It still bills itself as "the original" Bada Bing Club in its advertising.
