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NEW YORK - Tough North Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano from hit TV series The Sopranos whacked buyers' bank accounts at Christie's when his wardrobe sold for US$187,750 (NZ$247,374) - four times the auction house's forecast.
James Gandolfini, who played Soprano for six seasons over 8 1/2 years, sold his personal costume wardrobe in 25 lots at Christie's pop culture auction, with all proceeds going to Wounded Warrier, a charity that helps wounded US troops.
The top lot was a bloody outfit worn when Soprano was shot at the beginning of season six by Uncle Junior in a fit of dementia, which sold for $43,750, nearly 12 times Christie's pre-sale estimate for the outfit.
Gandolfini was at the auction to see Soprano's signature white tank top, light blue striped boxer shorts, striped short robe and leather scuffs went under the hammer for $21,250, again soaring above the pre-sale estimate of $1,500.
Another robe - forecast to go for $1,500 - fetched $13,750, while the blue shirt worn by the mob boss in the opening credits of the TV show sold for the same amount, well above the estimate of between $2,000 and $3,000.
Also up for grabs were a selection of costumes worn by other Sopranos characters, including Junior Soprano, Paulie Walnuts and A.J. Soprano.
The award-winning HBO series broke new ground for television: portraying a conflicted man who tries to balance family life with his Mafia career.
- REUTERS
