Suzanne Shepherd, ‘The Sopranos’ and ‘Goodfellas’ Actor, Dies at 89

Suzanne Shepherd, an actor known for her roles in “The Sopranos” and “Goodfellas,” died Friday morning in her home in New York City, her agent confirmed to Variety. She was 89.

Shepherd portrayed Mary DeAngelis, the mother of Carmela Soprano (Edie Falco), in HBO’s crime drama series “The Sopranos,” as well as the mother of Lorraine Bracco’s character Karen Hill in 1990’s “Goodfellas.” She also had roles in “Jacob’s Ladder” (1990), “Trees Lounge” (1996), “Lolita” (1997), “American Cuisine” (1998), “Living Out Loud” (1998), “Requiem for a Dream” (2000), “A Dirty Shame” (2004), “Harold” (2008), “The Week Of” (2018) and “The Performance” (2023), among other films.

More from Variety

• James Gandolfini Would Say 'I F--ing Suck' Out Loud and 'Question Himself' on 'Sopranos' Set, Recalls Jamie-Lynn Sigler: 'I Appreciated That'

• First Clip Debuts for Farah Nabulsi's Thriller 'The Teacher,' Starring Imogen Poots, Saleh Bakri, Ahead of Toronto Premiere (EXCLUSIVE)

• CAA Media Finance Co-Organized Creative Investors' Conference at San Sebastian Fest to Feature Podcast and One-on-One Lunches with Spanish Producers 

Shepherd was born on Oct. 31, 1934. She made her acting debut in the 1988 romcom “Mystic Pizza,” starring Julia Roberts, and appeared in such films as “Working Girl,” “Uncle Buck” and “Second Sight” before working on Martin Scorsese’s “Goodfellas.”

On the television side, she guest-starred in “Law & Order,” “Third Watch,” “Ed,” “Blue Bloods,” “Deadline,” “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” and “Law & Order: Criminal Intent.”

Fellow “Sopranos” actor Ray Abruzzo paid tribute to Shepherd on Instagram, writing, “Sad to hear of the passing of Suzanne Shepherd. A force of nature. Actress, teacher.”

In addition to her acting career, Shepherd directed in theaters across the U.S. and worked as an acting coach for over four decades at her own studio in New York. The upcoming documentary “A Gift of Fire” will chronicle her career as an acting teacher.

She is survived by her daughter Kate Shepherd, son-in-law Miles McManus and granddaughter Isabelle Shepherd.

Best of Variety

• Oscars Predictions: International Feature – AMPAS' Voting Groups are Set; Which Movies Have the Best Shot at Making the Shortlist?

• Oscars Predictions: Best Actor - Will the 10th (or 11th, 12th or 13th?) Time be the Winning Charm for Bradley Cooper in 'Maestro?'

• New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 

Sign up for Variety’s Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.