James Gandolfini, star of HBO's "The Sopranos," has died of a heart attack in Rome. He was 51. A spokeswoman for said that Gandolfini was on vacation in Italy.

"The Sopranos" was recently widely cited as one of the best in the history of television. It opened the door for similarly daring series including HBO's "The Wire," AMC's "Mad Men" -- created by "Sopranos" alum Matthew Weiner -- and AMC's "Breaking Bad," which also features a criminal protagonist.

In honor of the great actor. Here's his Inside the Actor's Studio interview. RIP Mr. Gandolfini.

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Kevin Sampson

The fact that Kevin Sampson is not just a film critic, but a writer, producer, and director as well makes his understanding of cinema even better. Coming from a theoretical and hands on approach, he understands both sides of the struggle of viewing and creating great works. After receiving an MFA in Film & Electronic Media from American University in Washington, D.C in 2011, Kevin took his love for film to the next level by creating and producing Picture Lock, an entertainment website, podcast, and hour long film review TV show that runs on Arlington Independent Media’s public access station in Arlington, VA. The show covers new releases, classic films, and interviews with local filmmakers in the DMV area. He is also a member of the Critics Choice Association, North Carolina Film Critics Association and African American Film Critics Association. He is currently looking forward to filming his first feature film in the near future. He believes that film is one of the most powerful art forms in the world, and he hopes that he can use the craft to inspire others and make a difference in it.