A private wake for the late actor James Gandolfini is scheduled this afternoon in New Jersey, while Broadway theatre lights will go out at 8 p.m. local time in Manhattan to honour the "Sopranos" actor.

Executive director Charlotte St. Martin of The Broadway League described Gandolfini as "a consummate actor who brought individuality to each role and inspired a true connection with the audience."

"Whether on screen or on the Broadway stage, he made every role believable and seemingly effortless," she said.

Gandolfini received a Tony Award best actor nomination in 2009 for his role in "God of Carnage". His Broadway debut was in the 1992 production "A Streetcar Named Desire".

In television, he is best known for portraying the role of the mobster boss, Tony Soprano, in the hit HBO drama "The Sopranos".

The actor died of a heart attack in Rome last June 19. He was scheduled to appear at the Taormina Film Festival in Sicily where he was to receive a special prize.

He is survived by his wife Deborah Lin, their 8-month old daughter Liliana and his son, Michael, from his first marriage.

"Our thoughts go out to his family and friends, and certainly to all of his fans who felt as if they knew his characters," St. Martin said.

His funeral will be held at the Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in New York at 10 a.m. on Thursday.