Lorraine Bracco is a renowned American actress. She is celebrated for her role as psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi in the HBO crime drama series The Sopranos, which aired from 1999 to 2007, and for her pivotal performance as Karen Hill in Martin Scorsese‘s film Goodfellas, released in 1990.
Early Life & Education
Lorraine Bracco was born on October 2, 1954, in New York City and raised in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, with her elder brother, Salvatore Jr., and her younger sister, Elizabeth.
Elizabeth later pursued a career in acting and appeared alongside Lorraine in ‘The Sopranos,’ portraying the character of Marie Spatafore, the spouse of Vito Spatafore.
Bracco was raised in Hicksville, New York, located on Long Island, starting from the fourth grade, and completed his education at Hicksville High School in 1972.
Lorraine Bracco Career
Following her high school graduation in 1972, Lorraine Bracco was motivated to pursue a career in modeling. She joined Wilhelmina Models and relocated to Paris in 1974, where she quickly felt a sense of belonging.
Within a few days, she started securing consistent work with leading French fashion publications and soon became the inspiration for designer Jean Paul Gaultier.
In the 1980s, her career in entertainment started to flourish. She served as a DJ for Radio Luxembourg and featured in the television series ‘Crime Story.’ Her significant film debut occurred in 1986 with ‘Camorra.’
Lorraine Bracco was selected by the Italian director and novelist Lina Wertmüller for the Italian-language film, and this experience ultimately motivated her to follow a professional path in acting.
In the following years, Lorraine refined her acting skills through films such as ‘The Pick-Up Artist,’ ‘Someone to Watch Over Me,’ ‘Sing,’ and ‘Sea of Love.’ Her significant breakthrough occurred in 1990 with ‘Goodfellas,’ where she portrayed Karen, the wife of the main character.
Bracco dedicated the following ten years to various film roles, featuring in productions such as ‘Talent for the Game,’ ‘Switch,’ ‘Medicine Man,’ ‘Radio Flyer,’ ‘Traces of Red,’ and ‘Even Cowgirls Get the Blues.’ By the mid-1990s, she was seen in films including ‘Being Human,’ ‘The Basketball Diaries,’ and ‘Hackers.’
In 1999, she took a significant step in her career by auditioning for ‘The Sopranos.’ Initially, she sought the role of Carmela Soprano, Anthony’s spouse.
However, her interest shifted towards the character of psychiatrist Jennifer Melfi, prompting her to persuade producer David Chase to grant her the part. This role led to her receiving three consecutive Emmy Award nominations.
Following her time on ‘The Sopranos,’ Bracco maintained her presence on television with appearances in series such as ‘Dice’ and ‘Blue Bloods.’
Personal Life
In 1979, Lorraine Bracco wed Daniel Guerard while they were living in France. They had one child together before their divorce in 1982.
Furthermore, Bracco is well-known for her lengthy 12-year relationship with actor Harvey Keitel, with whom she had a daughter in 1985. This child was later at the center of a significant custody battle, which reportedly cost Bracco over $2 million in legal fees.
Lorraine subsequently married Edward James Olmos in 1994, but their marriage ended in divorce in 2002 after eight years.
Net Worth
Lorraine Bracco is a renowned American actress with a net worth estimated at $8 million. She is most recognized for her memorable performances in the film ‘Goodfellas’ and the HBO series ‘The Sopranos,’ both of which are significant contributions to American cinematic narrative.
