UPDATE: James Gandolfini's Body Back In U.S. With Help From Clintons, State Dept - Deadline.com

UPDATE, 10:15 AM: HBO just confirmed that James Gandolfini’s remains have been returned to the U.S. from Rome.

PREVIOUS, SUNDAY AM:James Gandolfini‘s body may be repatriated back to the U.S. as early as Monday. “On behalf of the Gandolfini family, I would like to thank the Italian authorities for all the assistance they have rendered in expediting the formalities necessary to repatriate James Gandolfini’s remains to the United States,” Gandolfini spokesman Michael Kobold said in a statement Sunday. “We would like to thank the United States government, especially Secretary Kerry and our friends at the State Department for helping us in this time of need. Our expressed thanks to the people at the Italy desk at the State Department for working day and night on our behalf. We thank President Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton for their kind support. And we would like to applaud Vice Consul Patricia Hill and her colleagues at the consular section at the U.S. Embassy here in Rome for being so courteous and helpful throughout this difficult process.” Gandolfini died Wednesday of a heart attack while in Italy to attend the Taormina Film Festival.

Related: R.I.P. James GandolfiniJames Gandolfini’s Cause Of Death Confirmed, Funeral Plans Underway