The passing of actor James Gandolfini earlier this year was an enormous loss for us all, and now HBO has set a tribute special to honor the man and his work.  The network will air James Gandolfini: A Tribute this coming Sunday, December 22nd at 8:30pm ET.  Though Gandolfini is best known for excellently portraying mob boss Tony Soprano on HBO’s The Sopranos, this trailer more closely focuses on Gandolfini the man.  We see friends and castmates ranging from Edie Falco to Diane Lane to Sopranos creator David Chase remembering the late actor, and the special is sure to be an emotional half hour.  Watch the trailer for the tribute special after the jump.