Although born in Brooklyn, Bracco first found success as a fashion model on the runways of Paris in the 1970s. She had just a handful of European film appearances on her résumé when she embarked on her Hollywood career. With her handsome beauty and pronounced Noo Yawk accent, the actress often portrayed tough, long-suffering wives (
Someone to Watch Over Me, her flashy, Oscar-nominated turn in
Goodfellas). In 1999, she accepted her first regular TV role on
The Sopranos, earning multiple Emmy and Golden Globe nods — and legions of new fans — for her layered portrayal of a mobster's psychiatrist. Although the acclaimed series ended in 2007, she continued to work on the small screen and joined the cast of the TNT police procedural
Rizzoli & Isles in 2010
. In real life, Bracco owns a wine label, a business decision she credits to living in France for 10 years.
Lorraine Bracco Fast Facts:
- Although she was voted the ugliest girl in sixth grade, in the 1970s she moved to Paris and became a fashion model for the Wilhelmina Agency.
- Early in her modeling career, turned down an offer to pose nude for surrealist artist Salvador Dali.
- Studied acting at the Actors Studio in New York City.
- In her breakthrough 1990 movie, director Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas, her daughters, Stella Keitel and Margaux Guerard, portrayed Judy Hill (her character's daughter) at different ages.
- Was originally offered the role of Carmela Soprano on The Sopranos, but wanted instead to play Dr. Jennifer Melfi.
- Made her Broadway debut in 2002, playing Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate.
- Launched her own wine label in 2005.
- Lorraine Bracco Relationships:
- Daniel Guerard - Ex-husband
- Stella Keitel - Daughter
- Margaux Guerard - Daughter
- Sal Bracco - Father
- Harvey Keitel - Ex-husband
- Edward James Olmos - Ex-husband
- Sheila Bracco - Mother
- Elizabeth Bracco - Sister
- Sal Bracco Jr. - Brother
- Lorraine Bracco Awards:
- 1999 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 2000 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 2000 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama - Nominee
- 2001 Emmy: Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 2001 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama - Nominee
- 2002 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series - Drama - Nominee
- 1991 Golden Globe: Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture - Nominee
- 1990 Oscar: Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role - Nominee
- 2007 Emmy: Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 2007 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series - Winner
- 2006 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 2004 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 2002 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 2002 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 2001 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 2001 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 2000 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series - Nominee
- 1999 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series - Winner
- 1999 Screen Actors Guild Awards: Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series - Nominee