Behind Tony Soprano's anguished gaze and eruptive rage brewed the personal demons of James Gandolfini. His lived battle against inner turmoil proved vital in ushering an iconic character-and groundbreaking television drama-to profound dramatic heights.
But the embattled actor's reliance on intense coping mechanisms to channel emotional truth through acting brilliance carried great risk, as Gandolfini struggled to separate himself from Tony Soprano's...