NEWSSee James Gandolfini's Acting Debut in This Rediscovered 1989 Student Film
June 25 2013, Published 5:32 a.m. ET
Fans will never forget James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano.
But, like many aspiring thespians, long before the actor found fame he was struggling to catch his big break.
Watch: James Gandolfini's 6 Most Notable Roles Outside of The Sopranos
Click here to check out the video of a 27-year-old James portraying a bad guy in the 1989 student movie, Eddie, which cost just $10,000 to make.
The picture's director, David Matalon, 44, told MailOnline: "When the camera rolled, something electrifying was happening."
The former NYU film student found James after they put an add in Backstage, an industry newspaper that advertised auditions.
OK! News: Celebs React to News of James Gandolfini's Death
"I lived in Brooklyn and at that time it was the 'Saturday Night Fever Brooklyn', you met a lot of tough guys along the way and we were casting a tough villain," recalls Matalon. "When you’ve seen it for real, you know when people are playing at it…and so we hadn’t found anyone, I had no-one to play my bad guy."
But that all changed when James showed up extremely late for his audition.
"We were closing the room up for the night, it was late, almost 11pm, and this giant guy stepped off the elevator, he looked like he was going to kill us!" recalls Matalon.
OK! News: Remembering James Gandolfini
"He apologized and said he had been at work, he was working as a doorman at the Blue Note, if I remember correctly, and he said 'I would like to read for you guys.'"
- Drea de Matteo Calls New Behind-the-Scenes 'Sopranos' Book a 'Cash Grab' for Criticizing Its Depiction of Late Costar James Gandolfini
- James Gandolfini Would 'Question Himself' While Filming 'The Sopranos,' Former Costar Jamie Lynn Sigler Reveals
- HBO Executives Were 'Concerned' About Late 'Sopranos' Star James Gandolfini 'Staying Alive' & Held An Intervention In The Actor's Apartment, New Book Reveals
Want OK! each day? Sign up here!
It was clear James had what it took to become a big star.
"He gave this very brutal intense monologue and he just killed it. I said 'you got the part'—he was riveting to watch," says Matalon.
As OKMagazine.com reported, James passed away at age 51 of a heart attack on June 19 while vacationing in Rome. His body was flown back to the U.S. four days later. His funeral will be held on Thursday, June 27 in New York City.
What is your favorite Tony Soprano moment? Tell us in the comments section or on Twitter @OKMagazine.
