New Jersey pays its respects to TV gangster Gandolfini

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has ordered that flags across the state be lowered in honor of late actor James Gandolfini, who died earlier this week in Rome, Italy.

Gandolfini is most famously known for his role as "Tony Soprano" in HBO's Sopranos, a show centered around an Italian-American mob family in New Jersey. In real life, Gandolfini was a New Jersey native, born in Westwood and raised in Park Ridge.

(Image: AP/HBO)

The Hollywood Reporter has more details on Christie's announcement:

According to the order, "The flag of the United States of America and the flag of New Jersey shall be flown at half-staff at all State departments, offices, agencies, and instrumentalities during appropriate hours on Monday, June 24, 2013, in recognition and mourning of the passing of James Gandolfini."

A statement from the Governor's office reads: "James Gandolfini was an iconic actor and will be remembered for the timeless impact he left upon television and film in the State of New Jersey and across our nation."

Christie also expressed his condolences to the star's family on Twitter Wednesday evening: