--- name: "Lorraine Bracco" canonical: "https://film.one/person/lorraine-bracco" fi1m_id: "lorraine-bracco" imdb_id: "nm0000966" tmdb_id: 11478 wikidata_id: "Q229319" roles: ["Actor"] born: "2 October 1954" reviewed_on_fi1m: 2 average_fi1m_score: 94 average_as: "actor" average_over: 2 updated: "2026-09-24T07:11:03.028651+00:00" licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Lorraine Bracco ## Identity Lorraine Bracco - **Canonical:** https://film.one/person/lorraine-bracco - **Type:** Person - **Fi1m ID:** lorraine-bracco - **IMDb ID:** nm0000966 - **TMDB ID:** 11478 - **Wikidata ID:** Q229319 - **Same entity:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorraine_Bracco, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q229319, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000966/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/11478 Actor. Born 2 October 1954 in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA. ## Details - **Work:** Actor - **Born:** 2 October 1954, Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA - **Active:** 1990–1999 - **Also known as:** لورین براکو - **SAG Awards:** 2 SAG Awards (2 won) - **Average Fi1m score:** 94, as actor, over 2 titles - **Elsewhere:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorraine_Bracco, https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q229319, https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000966/, https://www.themoviedb.org/person/11478 ## Streaming the US now - **HBO Max:** [*The Sopranos*](https://film.one/tv/the-sopranos.md) (94) For United States; add `?region=XX` for another country. ## Fi1m on Lorraine Bracco > Lorraine Bracco can make listening as forceful as speaking. We rate her for the directness that makes Karen Hill count in *GoodFellas* and the restraint that makes Jennifer Melfi indispensable to *The Sopranos*. Watch Lorraine Bracco listening to James Gandolfini in *The Sopranos* (1999): Jennifer Melfi's attention makes Tony's evasions harder to overlook. She gives him her full attention without making his account seem any more reliable. We found their conversations unsettling because her listening kept us alert to what he was avoiding. Gandolfini has a scene partner who can change its direction without raising her voice. This is acting worth watching even when the other person has the line. *GoodFellas* (1990) was her breakthrough, casting her as Karen Hill, a mobster's wife, opposite Ray Liotta. Her husky New York voice and direct delivery help her establish Karen in a film that gives the men much more to occupy themselves with. Martin Scorsese and Nicholas Pileggi's screenplay lets her narrate, but Henry's account receives greater weight and her perspective never gets equal force. Bracco makes Karen's presence count, which only makes the shortage of time for her more frustrating. We recommend the film strongly, while wishing Scorsese had followed her experience further. After a quieter 1990s, David Chase's series offered a substantial change, though Bracco was initially offered Carmela Soprano. She took Melfi, Tony's psychiatrist, instead and played her across all six seasons. Where Karen struggles for space in the writing, Melfi has conversations in which paying close attention is the job itself. Bracco's restraint gives Gandolfini room without allowing Tony's grievances to pass unexamined. Alongside Edie Falco, whose Carmela makes affection and exhausted patience equally persuasive, she helps ensure that the people listening to Tony matter as much as the man talking. Her later television work includes Angela Rizzoli, the matriarch in *Rizzoli & Isles* (2010), returning her to a family role after the long stretch as Melfi. We would be wary of treating that sort of casting as the full measure of what she can do. Karen and Melfi give us ample reason to seek her out, though *GoodFellas* also shows how much depends on a screenplay allowing her more than a response to the men. Start there, then give *The Sopranos* time for the conversations. ## Biography Lorraine Bracco is an American actor. Born in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, she moved to France in 1974 and worked as a fashion model before beginning to act in French-language films. She later trained with John Strasberg and at the Actors Studio. Bracco is known for her performance as Karen Hill in the film *GoodFellas* (1990), for which she received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, and as Dr Jennifer Melfi in the HBO series *The Sopranos* (1999–2007), which brought her multiple Primetime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Other credits include *The Basketball Diaries* (1995), *Hackers* (1995) and the series *Rizzoli & Isles* (2010–2016) as Angela Rizzoli. *Sources: en.wikipedia.org, imdb.com.* ## On Fi1m (2) - *The Sopranos* (1999), Fi1m 94, as Jennifer Melfi — [page](https://film.one/tv/the-sopranos.md) - *GoodFellas* (1990), Fi1m 93, as Karen Hill — [page](https://film.one/film/goodfellas.md) ## Complete filmography (65) Every credit, newest first. Titles without a page can be requested for review on the HTML page. - *Nonnas* (2025), as Roberta - *The Mother, the Menacer, and Me* (2025), as Nancy - *Rich Flu* (2024), as Martha - *Monster Summer* (2024), as Miss Halverson - *The Union* (2024), as Lorraine McKenna - *Jacir* (2023), as Meryl - *Pinocchio* (2022), as Sofia the Seagull (voice) - *Welcome to Mama's* (2022), as Mama Tucci - *The Birthday Cake* (2021), as Sofia - *A Ring for Christmas* (2020), as Margaret Moore - *Master Maggie* (2019), Actor - *Jerk* (2019), series, as Tim's Mother - *Summer Camp Island* (2018), series, as Werewolf Queen (voice) - *Monday Nights at Seven* (2016), as Damian Robertson - *Dissonance* (2015), as Elise - *Mulaney* (2014), series, as Vaughn - *BoJack Horseman* (2014), series, as Dr. Janet (voice) — Fi1m 91, [page](https://film.one/tv/bojack-horseman.md) - *BBC Comedy Feeds* (2012), series, as Mom - *I Married a Mobster* (2011), series, as Narrator (voice) - *Son of Morning* (2011), as Leda Katz - *Blue Bloods* (2010), series, as Margaret Dutton - *Love and Distrust* (2010), Director - *Rizzoli & Isles* (2010), series, as Angela Rizzoli - *Lipstick Jungle* (2008), series, as Janice Lasher - *Snowglobe* (2007), as Rose - *Law & Order: Trial by Jury* (2005), series, as Karla Grizano - *Crazy for Love* (2005), as Sheila - *Death of a Dynasty* (2003), as Enchante, R&B Singer #2 - *Tangled* (2001), as Det. Anne Andersle - *Riding in Cars with Boys* (2001), as Teresa Donofrio - *Law & Order: Criminal Intent* (2001), series, as Halfway House Matron - *Custody of the Heart* (2000), as Claire Raphael - *Auto Motives* (2000), Director - *Ladies Room* (1999), as Gemma - *The Sopranos* (1999), series, as Jennifer Melfi — Fi1m 94, [page](https://film.one/tv/the-sopranos.md) - *The Taking of Pelham One Two Three* (1998), as Det. Ray - *Silent Cradle* (1997), as Helen Greg - *Lifeline* (1996), as Kits Maitland - *The Liars* (1996), as Helene Miller - *Hackers* (1995), as Margo - *The Basketball Diaries* (1995), as Jim's Mother - *Even Cowgirls Get the Blues* (1994), as Delores Del Ruby - *Getting Gotti* (1994), as Diane Giacalone - *Being Human* (1994), as Anna - *Fertile La Toyah Video Magazine #2: The Kinky Issue!* (1994), Actor - *Politically Incorrect* (1993), series, Actor - *Scam* (1993), as Maggie Rohrer - *Traces of Red* (1992), as Ellen Schofield - *Radio Flyer* (1992), as Mary - *Medicine Man* (1992), as Dr. Rae Crane - *Switch* (1991), as Sheila Faxton - *Talent for the Game* (1991), as Bobbie Henderson - *GoodFellas* (1990), as Karen Hill — Fi1m 93, [page](https://film.one/film/goodfellas.md) - *On a Moonlit Night* (1989), as Sheila - *The Dream Team* (1989), as Riley - *Sing* (1989), as Miss Lombardo - *Someone to Watch Over Me* (1987), as Ellie Keegan - *The Pick-up Artist* (1987), as Carla - *Crime Story* (1986), series, as Hostage - *Camorra (A Story of Streets, Women and Crime)* (1986), Actor - *Fais gaffe à la gaffe !* (1981), as Margaux - *What Did I Ever Do to the Good Lord to Deserve a Wife Who Drinks in Cafes with Men?* (1980), as Barbara - *Duets on Sofa* (1979), as Bubble - *Police Commissioner Moulin* (1976), series, as Jenny - *Will to Win*, Actor ## Gallery - ![Lorraine Bracco](https://film.one/media/person/59820/gallery-722cf01f2b34.jpg) Lorraine Bracco — Iustinus, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/79/Lorraine_Bracco.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail_unscaled) - ![Photos by Patrick McMullan David Chase and Lorraine Bracco The 59th Annual Peabody Awards The Waldorf=Astoria May 22, 2000 (2015)](https://film.one/media/person/59820/gallery-1d391f4806e8.jpg) Photos by Patrick McMullan David Chase and Lorraine Bracco The 59th Annual Peabody Awards The Waldorf=Astoria May 22, 2000 (2015) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/c/cb/David_Chase_and_Lorraine_Bracco%2C_May_2000.jpg/1280px-David_Chase_and_Lorraine_Bracco%2C_May_2000.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Photos by Patrick McMullan Delroy Lindo and Lorraine Bracco, The 59th Annual Peabody Awards The Waldorf=Astoria May 22, 2000 (2015)](https://film.one/media/person/59820/gallery-cf1b4d980dcf.jpg) Photos by Patrick McMullan Delroy Lindo and Lorraine Bracco, The 59th Annual Peabody Awards The Waldorf=Astoria May 22, 2000 (2015) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/41/Delroy_Lindo_and_Lorraine_Bracco%2C_May_2000.jpg/1280px-Delroy_Lindo_and_Lorraine_Bracco%2C_May_2000.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Photos by Patrick McMullan Dominic Chianese, Lorraine Bracco and Tony Sirico of w:The Sopranos, The 59th Annual Peabody Awards, The Waldorf=Astoria, May 22, 200 (2015)](https://film.one/media/person/59820/gallery-ea3708dcc61c.jpg) Photos by Patrick McMullan Dominic Chianese, Lorraine Bracco and Tony Sirico of w:The Sopranos, The 59th Annual Peabody Awards, The Waldorf=Astoria, May 22, 200 (2015) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/0a/Dominic_Chianese%2C_Lorraine_Bracco_and_Tony_Sirico%2C_May_2000_%281%29.jpg/1280px-Dominic_Chianese%2C_Lorraine_Bracco_and_Tony_Sirico%2C_May_2000_%281%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Lorraine Bracco](https://film.one/media/person/59820/gallery-700f42ef93d8.jpg) Lorraine Bracco — Image via TMDB - ![Lorraine Bracco](https://film.one/media/person/59820/gallery-4480f60a9169.jpg) Lorraine Bracco — Image via TMDB - ![Lorraine Bracco](https://film.one/media/person/59820/gallery-e886691d89e0.jpg) Lorraine Bracco — Image via TMDB - ![Photos by Patrick McMullan Dominic Chianese, Lorraine Bracco and Tony Sirico of w:The Sopranos, The 59th Annual Peabody Awards, The Waldorf=Astoria, May 22, 200 (2015)](https://film.one/media/person/59820/gallery-71c39f0a8fff.jpg) Photos by Patrick McMullan Dominic Chianese, Lorraine Bracco and Tony Sirico of w:The Sopranos, The 59th Annual Peabody Awards, The Waldorf=Astoria, May 22, 200 (2015) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/6a/Dominic_Chianese%2C_Lorraine_Bracco_and_Tony_Sirico%2C_May_2000_%282%29.jpg/1280px-Dominic_Chianese%2C_Lorraine_Bracco_and_Tony_Sirico%2C_May_2000_%282%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Photos by Patrick McMullan Dominic Chianese, Lorraine Bracco and Tony Sirico of w:The Sopranos, The 59th Annual Peabody Awards, The Waldorf=Astoria, May 22, 200 (2015)](https://film.one/media/person/59820/gallery-857e09769799.jpg) Photos by Patrick McMullan Dominic Chianese, Lorraine Bracco and Tony Sirico of w:The Sopranos, The 59th Annual Peabody Awards, The Waldorf=Astoria, May 22, 200 (2015) — Peabody Awards, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons (https://thumb.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/49/Dominic_Chianese%2C_Lorraine_Bracco_and_Tony_Sirico%2C_May_2000_%283%29.jpg/1280px-Dominic_Chianese%2C_Lorraine_Bracco_and_Tony_Sirico%2C_May_2000_%283%29.jpg?utm_source=commons.wikimedia.org&utm_campaign=imageinfo&utm_content=thumbnail) - ![Lorraine Bracco](https://film.one/media/person/59820/gallery-83c64a2fe35f.jpg) Lorraine Bracco — Image via TMDB - ![Lorraine Bracco](https://film.one/media/person/59820/gallery-5f0a14f93dc1.jpg) Lorraine Bracco — Image via TMDB ## Awards ### Academy Awards — 0 won, 1 nominated - 1991: Best Supporting Actress (nominated), for *Goodfellas* ### SAG Awards — 2 won - 2008: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (won), for *The Sopranos* - 2000: Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series (won), for *The Sopranos* *From Wikidata, which records wins more completely than nominations.* --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/person/lorraine-bracco