It was a dark day for everyone who loves James Gandolfini, the first Hollywood actor who had redefined anti-heroes both in films and television in the entertainment history. Thursday, June 27, mourners gathered around the massive Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York City to remember the man whose lives he had touched in his works, particularly his role as Tony Soprano in HBO’s ‘The Sopranos.’

Stars of the hit TV series ‘The Sopranos’ came to pay their respects for the late actor, who died of heart attack on June 19, 2013. Other celebrities also came to pay tribute to James G. including David Chase, Alec Baldwin, John Torturro and more. Members of media were all in position before his hearse arrived at the NY Cathedral. A car filled with flowers was also seen in front of the Cathedral as guest were lined up, waiting to be let in to see James for the last time. Mourners joined the guests, family and friends of James G and they patiently lined up outside the NY Cathedral Church of St. John the Divine.

New Jersey Governor, Chris Christie was also in attendance at the service for James G. The government official paid tribute to the actor by releasing an executive memo ordering that all flags in the state be flown at half-staff on June 24 in lieu of “recognition of the achievements and contributions” of the late actor.

A look at the photos that emerged following the service showed friends and family getting very emotional and they were making each other’s presence felt by providing comfort following their big loss with James’ death.

At the service, David Chase was the last to read his eulogy for James G, according to The Hollywood Reporter. USA Today noted that he read his letter to the late actor that said: "I always felt we were brothers. We had different tastes, but there were things we both love: family, work, people in all their imperfection, food, alcohol, talking, rage and a desire to bring the whole structure crashing down."

There was no sight of Kristen Stewart at the funeral. The actress has grown to love the man after they worked together in Welcome to the Rileys” where they played client-fatherlike-stripper-daughter relationship. In the film, both have proven that they could also portray characters other than Bella Swan (Kristen S.) and Tony Soprano (James G.)

Kristen released a statement early this week saying “[she] felt gutted upon hearing James had passed away.”

"When I heard of James' passing I was in New Orleans, where we met shooting, and every memory flooded back and gutted me," Kristen said in a statement she sent to Entertainment Weekly, noted by IBTimes-Au in a separate report.

HBO has also released a statement shared by The Sopranos Page on Facebook, expressing “shock and sadness” for the death of James G.

The statement reads: “We're all in shock and feeling immeasurable sadness at the loss of a beloved member of our family. James Gandolfini was a special man, a great talent, but more importantly a gentle and loving person who treated everyone no matter their title or position with equal respect. He touched so many of us over the years with his humor, his warmth and his humility. Our hearts go out to his wife and children during this terrible time. He will be deeply missed by all of us.”

James Gandolfini is remembered for his generosity and having a gentle soul - - an irony of the character he was last seen and will forever be remembered for. Tony Soprano as his iconic character before he succumbed to heart attack while on vacation with son, Michael in Rome, Italy on June 19, 2013.

Rest In Peace, James G. You will always be loved and remembered as we enjoin everyone to pause for three minutes and offer short prayer for James Gandolfini after reading this article and share this to your friends and family so they too, can pay respects to the man who had changed the faces of heroes and villains in television history.

More photos can be found here. Additional photos can also be viewed here.

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