IRAQ and AFGHANISTAN: 'Sopranos' auction benefits the troops

Twenty-five outfits worn by actor James Gandolfini in his starring role in "The Sopranos" were auctioned this week in New York for $187,750, with proceeds going to the Wounded Warrior Project, which helps Marines and soldiers injured in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The auction, held at Christie's, was Gandolfini's idea. Last year his production company, Attaboy Films, did a well-received documentary for HBO about wounded military personnel and their struggles. Gandolfini was the interviewer.

Of the auction items, the polo shirt, tank top and black pants worn by Gandolfini in the episode in which he was shot by his demented uncle Junior fetched the most: $43,750. The bathrobe worn by the faux mobster as he brought in the morning newspaper went for $13,750.

The troops are big fans of "The Sopranos." At the Marine-Army base outside Ramadi, Iraq, the shack that served as an after-hours joint is called the Bada Bing. It's exactly like the one in the HBO series, except it has no strippers, no booze, no gambling and no smoking. The weapons are real though.

-- Tony Perry, in San Diego

Photo: Actor James Gandolfini played Tony Soprano in the hit HBO series "The Sopranos." Credit: Associated Press

Comments

[Leslie Thompson]

This is so wonderful! More celebs need to become proactive and philanthropic. God only knows where these vets would be w/o the private sector, entertainment industry, and support of other vets.

The more foundations started and events held for wounded veteran support, the more vets that will reintegrate successfully into as-normal-as-possible lives!