James Gandolfini, the actor famed for his phenomenal portrayal of the fictional New Jersey suburbanite mob boss Tony Soprano in the hit HBO series "The Sopranos" died today, presumably due to heart failure.
Yet another reason to get in shape. His bulky body lent well to his role as, literally, a mob "heavy", but being "big framed" or "barrel-chested" as people are inclined to politely refer to being obese, isn't something to hold near and dear. It's a hard, cold fact: fat people die younger than fit ones. Gandolfini was just 51. I'm 49.
Needless to say, this is just another wake up call which helps to keep me on track. Sad as his passing so young is, it may inspire many to try harder, like it has for me, to avoid the same fate.