The death of James Gandolfini has become an opportunity for his co-star to get publicity, according to the "The Sopranos" cast. Joe Gannascoli allegedly took advantage of the sad occasion to return to the spotlight.

Gannascoli, 54, played the gay Vito Spatafore in the now defunct HBO series, in which Gandolfini was the main star. His character was killed in the 11th episode of the last season.

The New York Post reports that the U.S. cable show's cast members were turned off by Gannascoli's recent tearful interview about Gandolfini since they claimed the two weren't even close.

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Gannascoli praised the late actor for being a "tremendous guy," saying, "He came to my wedding with his son and spoke beautiful word in front of every to me and my wife."

He also described "being a part of history with Gandolfini" in another interview, in which he revealed that while he was not in good terms with other cast members when he left the show, Gandolfini was cool with him, even telling him not to worry about it.

"He never turned his back on me," he said.

He has done a number of interviews on TV, radio, and newspaper since Gandolfini died on June 19 in Rome at age 51.

But sources told NY Post that Gannascoli wasn't even close to the star. Gandolfini and his co-stars were apparently disgusted with the way the other actor handled himself even from the start of the show.

"After joining the show, Joe hired his own p.r. person and would do all this press for himself, and it just became too much. Jim [Gandolfini] was very much a team player, and would only do interviews if it was to help someone in the 'Sopranos' family, or as a group.

"But Joe was the opposite; he kept grandstanding and it became a turnoff for Jim and ['Sopranos' creator] David Chase. It also rubbed most of the cast the wrong way. Then, as soon as Jim died, Joe was grandstanding again," the source said.

"He wasn't close to Jim. They probably haven't spoken in around seven years. Some members of the cast feel like Joe is using Jimmy's death to get his own name out there."

Gannascoli was furious with the source's claim. He said that he knew who vindictively planted the allegation that he was just after fame.

"The problem that Jimmy and I had [was] long ago solved, he knew it was not my fault... the press I did was when I was killed off the show and at that point it didn't matter. I was done. Cast members told me [the cast member] was envious of all the attention and work I was getting in season 6 of the show. He resented it and now he resents me playing my tribute to Jim."

He admitted, though, that while "Jimmy and I were not the closest of friends," he is "forever indebted" to the deceased star, adding that Gandolfini had helped him in the show.

"He would go in and talk to David Chase with me if I didn't want to play my role on the show. Just a humble and gifted actor and person."