Lorraine Bracco’s multifaceted performances in all arenas have earned her a global fan base. She is perhaps best known for her role as psychiatrist Dr. Jennifer Melfi, who treated New Jersey Mafia heavyweight Tony Soprano on HBO’s hit series, “The Sopranos.” Her concise, understated portrayal earned her multiple Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations. Additionally, Bracco is an Academy Award nominee for her performance as a mobster’s wife in Martin Scorsese’s GoodFellas and the author of a best- selling memoir, On the Couch, and a diet and nutrition book, To the Fullest, published by Rodale Books in Winter 2015. Bracco made her American feature film debut in Ridley Scott’s 1987 thriller, Someone to Watch over Me. Other film credits include Riding in Cars with Boys, The Pick-Up Artist, Switch, Radio Flyer, Medicine Man, Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, Hackers and The Basketball Diaries.
Bracco’s television career covers the spectrum. After six seasons as Tony’s therapist on the hit series “The Sopranos,” she spent seven seasons on “Rizzoli & Isles” as the doting Rizzoli matriarch. She has been a guest on numerous comedies, including “Mulaney,” “Dice” and “Bojack Horseman,” and recurred as the mayor of New York opposite Tom Selleck on “Blue Bloods.” In addition to film and television, Bracco starred on Broadway as Mrs. Robinson in Terry Johnson’s adaptation of The Graduate.
Recent projects include co-starring in the much-lauded BBC comedy, “Jerk” and indie feature, The Birthday Cake, opposite Shiloh Fernandez, Ewan McGregor and Val Kilmer. Later this year, she will be the voice of Sophia the Seagull in the upcoming Disney remake of Pinocchio, directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks. Currently, Bracco can be seen on her popular Discovery+/HGTV renovation show, “My Big Italian Adventure.”
Bracco was born in Brooklyn to an Italian-American father and an English mother. Despite being voted the ugliest girl in sixth grade, she nonetheless became a Paris fashion model represented by the Wilhelmina Agency. Bracco also worked as a disc jockey for Radio Luxembourg before embarking on a film career. She appeared in several French comedies and worked with Italian film director Lina Wertmuller. Returning to the United States, she studied at The Stella Adler Studio and the Actors Studio in New York City.
Bracco lives in New York. She is an Honorary Chair of The Felix Organization/Adoptees for Children board, which provides opportunities and experiences for kids growing up in the foster care system. Additionally, she works with the Center for Discovery, a provider of educational, health, clinical and residential services for children and adults with severe complex disabilities and medical frailties, including a growing number of individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders.
