Gandolfini Pops a Pap on Halloween

By PopEater Staff Posted Nov 6th 2009 09:20AM

It was a rough Halloween for one photographer who tried filming actor James Gandolfini and his son, as the burly 'Sopranos' star lashed out and was caught on video lunging at the paparazzo and possibly punching him. In the video posted on The Huffington Post, Gandolfini is seen standing outside of a New York City store waiting for his son. Apparently unhappy with the fact that he was being followed and filmed by the paparazzo, Gandolfini quickly makes his way towards the photographer. "Relax, man," the photog pleads ... but that didn't happen.

Watch the Gandolfini Video (WARNING: Explicit Language)

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Gandolfini is then heard telling the man "Get the f--- away from me, you understand me?" The photographer replies "Yeah, just relax." Gandolfini, not happy with the response, punches either the camera or photographer -- as it's hard to tell because the video is out of frame.

He then tells the photographer "I'm gonna break your f----ng face."

In the background, a woman -- apparently Gandolfini's wife -- is heard yelling "Get away from my son!"

No charges have been filed by the photographer as of this moment.

This wouldn't be the first time the Emmy-winning actor has found himself in a paparazzi scuffle. Back in April, he was caught on tape twice shoving a photographer outside of a posh New York City restaurant.

Tags: james gandolfini, JamesGandolfini, sopranos

Comments

(50)

Friday 06 November

By weaves

Highest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

They deserve to get punched. They are always in the personal space of celebrities. I get that the public eye is something that comes along with the fame, HOWEVER, these so-called "photographers" aka paparazzi, go WAAAY beyond the limits and should be put back into their place. If someone was following you around during even the simplest tasks, day in and day out, im pretty sure you wouldnt be too thrilled about it. More celebs need to punch these a holes in the face.

By grizz338

I wonder if any of the press vultures has ever thought about approaching their "victims" with an offer to buy them dinner & drinks at the place & Time of their choice in exchange for a photo shoot. At least it would show the target that he is worth something tangible to the press & has the respect of at least the one reporter. The way they are operating at the present is an intusion without anyone benefitting except the publication & oozes of piracy & cheapness.

Sunday 08 November

By Dee Lewis

Vote down Vote up Report this

There should be more laws to govern these guys and protect famous people from this type of harrassment. I have been a fan of Gandolfini for some time, and this just improves my already good perception of him. Why can the photogs get away with this to the extent they do? Not all are like this, but there are those which push limits, and when there are no limits.....

By jaddeyez

Lowest Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

I GUESS HE TOOK HIS ROLE OF TONY SOPRANO TO SERIOUS.WHAT A JOKESTER

By DOM

The only JOKESTER is you.Give the press your address & work location & maybe they'll have a few photographers follow you around and when you get tired of not being able to goof off as much as you now do because of them,maybe you'll pop off on them.Until then just shut the f@@@ up sit in your little playpen and suck on your bottle.

By muchogroucho

I heard California is passing some anti=paparazzi law. About time. Ever hear of "do unto others as you would have them do unto you?" Jesus

I don't blame Gandolfini one bit or any of he other celebs.

You follow a guy around when he's with his kid?

The guy is probably not even a professional (for lack of a better word - professional what? Jerk?) - just some a-hole opportunist.

There's a time and place for it - Red Carpets etc - not every time and every place.

Kudos Jim, Jude, Alec, George, and all of you who fight back.

muchogroucho
nyc

By lweemlaur

Come on...he's Tony Soprano! Fuget about it!
If someone were stalking any ordinary citizen with a camera it would be illegal. Celebrities should be off limits when they have their kids with them or if they are in the confines of their own home. Otherwise, they have to expect the pap.

By RAS

No sympathy for the photographers but many of you whining about them pay money to buy the gossip rags like OK, In Touch, and People Magazine that post pictures of them and watch E. They are providing your obsession with all things Hollywood so if you pay for a gossip rag...you are part of the problem.

By Helen

High Rank Vote down Vote up Report this

You are so right. I have been saying for so long now, that if people would stop buying the mags. that would put them out of business.It really makes me mad that these jerks make money off of tormenting the celebs. And that show TMZ, all they do is make fun of the celebs, but people watch it so it stays on.

By mary

Paparazzi deserve NO respect...there are plenty of appropriate places to photograph celebs. Without prior permission, there is never an appropriate time to photointrude on celebs' families.

We the public can put a stop to such intrusions by refusing to purchase publications that by unauthorized photos.

Being a public figure is separate from one's personal, private life.

By Denise

The blonde lady in the video is not his wife, it is his Ex-Wife.

By Brewcrew

James kicked right into Tony S mode! This one is a classic. Way to Anthony!

By Donna

Photographers should ask permission before taking photos or videos of celebrities children. Its only right. Why shouldn't Mr. Gandolfini be able to take his child trick or treating like anyone else, without being followed. It is freaky! I am pretty sure the photographer was probably asked to stop before he got punched or his camera smacked. And the lady saying get away from my son is his ex- wife, not present wife.

Monday 09 November

By mike

Years ago, on an L.A. street, I saw Sebastian Cabot and his wife on a stroll. I walked up to him and asked if I might take a picture.

He kindly said, "Of course." His wife stepped out of the shot and I asked her to join him.

This tickled Mr. Cabot to no end, and he put his arm around her.

My camera glitched! So, here's Mr. Cabot, his wife and I, on a street corner, attempting to get my old Brownie to work!

Years later, I spent two years, shooting and interviewing the best musicians in the country for a small arts paper, in Virginia. Never had a problem.

There was mutual respect. I was given the privilege of access and didn't abuse it.

Unfortunately, the percentage of low-life "paps" far exceed those with class. I hope a law gets passed to shut these fools down and that someone mistakes the brake pedal for the gas. "Ooops, sorry!"

By RJW

Famous people want to be famous, until they don't want to be famous. The press and paparazzi are all part of being a celebrity, if you don't like it then find another line of work. This guy wasn't in his face with the camera and he wasn't in a tree taking pictures of Gandolfini in his back yard. He was some distance away taking a picture on a public street. A fan or any citizen could have done the same thing. He wasn't doing anything to justify being assaulted. Celebrities don't have the right to assault people because they are upset or having a bad day. If he was injured or his property was damaged he should sue Gandolfini.

By Jamie

I think you missed the point here. Gandolfini was upset about the guy taking pictures of his kid. Celebrity's children shouldn't be subjected to people in their faces snapping pictures just because their parents are famous.Also,I believe that parents of any child have to give permission before the chid's picture can be used in any sort of public display. Even my son's school had us sign a release just incase his picture is used in any materials pertaining to the school. So,no, Mr. Gandolfini was not out of line.

By tenahc

rjw, you are an idiot just because they're famous doesn't give photographers the right to intrude on every aspect of their life.if these photographers were following every day people they would be arrested for stalking.why shouldn't that same law apply to clebs? just because your famous shouldn't mean you don't have the same rights as other people.

By Kris

I agree. I, personally, think that if a celebrity is in public, and the photographer stays a decent distance away from them, there shouldn't be a problem. I mean, when you get into the business, you know it comes with the territory.

By Dan

I cannot understand what the big deal is with these celebs, they are just people who are fortunate enough to be in movies or on TV making gazillions of dollars while the rest of us work for a little bitty fraction of that to have a decent life. So if they are hounded by idiots with cameras , thats tough, stupid yeah , but deal with it.

By anna

i agree 100%

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