ASBURY PARK, N.J. -- Cast members of "The Sopranos" are celebrating the New Jersey Hall of Fame induction of the man who played mob boss Tony Soprano.

James Gandolfini died in Italy last year at age 51.

Vincent Pastore played mobster Big Pussy on the HBO show and says Gandolfini was a Jersey guy through and through. In comments before Thursday night's ceremony in Asbury Park's Convention Hall he said Gandolfini never missed a chance to let people know how great his home state is.

Other inductees include NBC News anchor Brian Williams, jazz great Dizzy Gillespie, chef Alice Waters, author Dorothy Parker, basketball great Patrick Ewing, The Shirelles and former Gov. Jim Florio.

Past inductees to the Web-based hall include Bruce Springsteen, Jack Nicholson, Whitney Houston, Toni Morrison, Buzz Aldrin and Yogi Berra.