Introduction

Abstract

Many were stunned when they heard the news that iconic American actor James Gandolfini had suffered a fatal heart attack. Within hours of the announcement, some who had worked with him were tweeting to express sadness and their regard for him as a performer and colleague, but other anonymous or noncelebrity tweeters took the opportunity to crack a joke at the expense of his fat appearance or even suggest that he deserved to die because he was fat. One remarked, “People say they are shocked by the death of James Gandolfini. Really? Do they think enormous fat men live forever?” Another tweeted: “James Gandolfini died because he was fat and unhealthy. End of Story.” Another quipped (referencing Gandolfini’s Emmy-winning portrayal of the mafia character Tony Soprano on HBO’s series The Sopranos), “For James Gandolfini I propose not a minute of silence but a minute of strained heavy breathing, followed by some cannoli.”¹