Marcy Wudarski, the woman who knew James Gandolfini before Tony Soprano
He was nobody when we met. I was working between jobs, doing work for a movie company, and a friend suggested I help out part-time—just some small tasks—for 'this actor you've never heard of who's done a couple of nothing movies.
These words from Marcy Wudarski, a former film producer, reveal how her relationship with James Gandolfini began before the world knew him as Tony Soprano. Grounded and private, she is the woman who knew him during his early, uncertain years, offering a rare glimpse into the humble beginnings of the television icon.
Source: Getty Images
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Key takeaways
- Marcy Wudarski is known as James Gandolfini's first wife, whose relationship with him came before his breakout role as Tony Soprano.
- Marcy Wudarski and James Gandolfini met in the late 1990s before tying the knot in 1999.
- The couple welcomed their son, Michael Gandolfini, before divorcing in 2002.
- Actor James Gandolfini passed away on 19 June 2013 at the age of 51.
Profile summary
Full name | Marcy Ann Wudarski |
Gender | Female |
Date of birth | 6 February 1967 |
Age | 58 years old (as of 2025) |
Zodiac sign | Aquarius |
Place of birth | Hudson, Florida, United States |
Current residence | New York, United States |
Nationality | American |
Ethnicity | Polish-American |
Religion | Christianity |
Sexuality | Straight |
Height in feet | 5'8" |
Height in centimetres | 173 |
Hair colour | Blonde |
Eye colour | Blue |
Father | Edward B. Wudarski |
Mother | Mary Ann Wudorski |
Marital status | Divorced |
Ex-husband | James Gandolfini |
Children | 1 |
High School | Bayonet Point Junior High School |
Profession | Former film producer |
Marcy Wudarski's biography
The film producer was born on 6 February 1967 in Hudson, Florida, United States. She is the daughter of Mary Ann Wudarski and Edward B. Wudarski, a former U.S. Army lieutenant who later worked as a comptroller for the Department of the Army.
Her father passed away on 23 March 1986, and her mother died on 19 October 1998. Marcy attended Bayonet Point Junior High School in Florida.
Source: Original
Why is Marcy Wudarski famous?
Marcy Wudarski gained public attention following her marriage to actor James Gandolfini. Though she is not widely known for her work in film, her IMDb profile credits her as an executive producer on the 2013 film Wish You Were Here. In 1995, Marcy worked briefly as Gandolfini’s personal secretary.
How did James Gandolfini meet his ex-wife?
Marcy Wudarski met American actor James Gandolfini in 1995 while serving as his personal secretary during the early stages of his career. Over time, they grew close while she worked part-time for him, and eventually, they began a romantic relationship.
Marcy later moved into his West Village apartment, and the couple married in March 1999 in a small, private ceremony. At the time, Wudarski was already pregnant with their son, Michael, who was born on 10 May 1999.
Source: Getty Images
Their marriage, however, was short-lived, as they divorced in 2002. Marcy claimed that James was struggling with substance abuse at the time.
After the divorce, Gandolfini married Deborah Lin, a former model and actress. He passed away on 19 June 2013, at the age of 51, while vacationing in Rome with his son. The actor suffered a heart attack and was pronounced dead at Policlinico Umberto I Hospital.
Marcy's son, Michael, followed in his father's footsteps and became an actor. He is known for his roles in several films and TV series, including Daredevil: Born Again, Beau Is Afraid, The Independent, and Cherry.
Source: Getty Images
FAQs
- Who is James Gandolfini's first wife? The actor's first wife is Marcy Ann Wudarski.
- How old is Marcy Wudarski? Marcy is 58 years old as of 2025. She was born on 6 February 1967.
- What is Marcy Wudarski's ethnicity? She is reportedly of Polish-American descent.
- Who are Marcy Wudarski's parents? Her parents are Mary Ann Wudarski and Edward B. Wudarski.
- Did James Gandolfini have a daughter? The actor had a daughter, Liliana Ruth Gandolfini, with his second wife, Deborah Lin, a former American model and actress.
- Who is the mother of Michael Gandolfini? Michael's mother is Marcy Wudarski.
- When did Marcy Wudarski and James Gandolfini divorce? They divorced in 2002, three years after marrying in 1999.
Marcy Wudarski, a former film producer, gained public attention following her marriage to actor James Gandolfini. The couple married in 1999 and divorced in 2002, and they share a son. Actor James passed away in June 2013.
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Proofreading by Kola Muhammed, copy editor at Legit.ng.
Source: Legit.ng
