{alltv} Gandolfini's a blizzard hero

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

{alltv} Gandolfini's a blizzard hero

While the Sanitation Department took its time clearing up snowy streets around town, at least Tony Soprano was out to rescue those stranded by the great blizzard of 2010.

"Sopranos" star James Gandolfini came to the rescue of a stricken motorist who got stuck on unplowed Bedford Street in the West Village on Monday night. The beefy actor, who lives in the neighborhood, helped dig and then push out the stranger's car--and then popped into nearby bar and restaurant Daddy-O to change a $100 bill to tip others who pitched in to help out.

Daddy-O owner Phil Casaceli told us, "Bedford Street didn't get plowed until late Monday night, and the whole street was a 3-foot drift of snow. Somebody driving down the street got stuck in their car around 8 p.m. -- and the next minute, James Gandolfini appeared from another car behind and offered to help out.

"He helped dig their car out and then rocked it back and forth to get it out of the snow bank. He used a lot of old-school elbow grease.

"It took him 45 minutes to get the car unstuck" with the help of others who started coming out of the bars and restaurants to see what was going on, Casaceli said.

"Some offered to help, and others just watched because you don't often see Tony Soprano digging people out of the snow. It was a real New York moment. Somebody had the luck of the draw, and it was James Gandolfini who came to their rescue."

Once the snowbound car was finally free, the star of the HBO mob drama popped into Daddy-O. But instead of ordering a drink, he asked bartenders to make change for a $100 bill.

Casaceli said, "He then took the $20 bills to thank the guys who helped them out. He was a real gentleman."

A rep for Gandolfini said last night he couldn't be reached for comment.