After “Sopranos” star James Gandolfini was laid to rest last week before mourners including New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, the HBO show’s cast is still bickering, with Joe Gannascoli accusing a fellow cast member of being a rat spreading bad blood.
Page Six exclusively reported that some “Sopranos” stars had been turned off in the past by Gannascoli’s penchant for “self-promotion,” and they believed the actor, who played closeted gay mobster Vito Spatafore, was “using Jimmy’s death to get his own name out there” and “grandstand.”
Gannascoli tells us he thinks he knows which cast member has been squealing. And although he refused to name the stoolie, he warned: “It’s a shame that you — I know who you are, always have . . . decided to bring up this story now when [Gandolfini’s] family is grieving with the rest of the world.”
The TV gangster continued: “I didn’t want to respond so soon because, unlike you, I thought that would have been distasteful. What I find most comical is that you think I was ‘grandstanding’ when, in fact, you are the biggest media hog out there. You turned my heartfelt tributes to Jim into something ugly.”
After Gandolfini’s death, Gannascoli did interviews calling the Tony Soprano actor “a tremendous guy,” adding, “He came to my wedding.” But a source sniffed, “He wasn’t close to Jim. They probably hadn’t spoken in around seven years.”
Gannascoli shot back: “I could refute every one of your silly accusations, but that would only fuel this nonsense and give it credence . . . This story has absolutely broken my heart . . . Why you would come out with this story at a time when Jim was not even buried is really sad on your part. I feel sorry for you. You are an angry person.”
Gannascoli told us of the funeral at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine: “The ceremony for you, Jim, was spectacular, moving and fitting for a king. The world has lost a great actor, friend, humanitarian, husband and loving father.
“To you, James, I say go easy, my friend, until we meet again, I will bring the gabagool.”