Remembering Suzanne Shepherd: Iconic actress from ‘The Sopranos’ and ‘Goodfellas.’ A force in film and a beloved acting teacher. Rest in peace.
Suzanne Shepherd, a beloved actress celebrated for her roles in iconic productions such as The Sopranos, Goodfellas, Uncle Buck, and more, has sadly passed away at the age of 89. According to reports from Variety, Shepherd died at her residence in New York City on Friday morning.
Shepherd gained recognition for her portrayal of Mary DeAngelis, Carmella Soprano’s mother in the HBO crime series The Sopranos, and as Karen Hill’s mother in Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas. However, her acting journey commenced with the 1988 film Mystic Pizza, where she starred alongside Julia Roberts. Subsequently, she appeared in Uncle Buck as the formidable school principal in a confrontation with John Candy’s character over his niece. Her illustrious career spanned until 2023, concluding with her final role in the film The Performance.
In addition to her notable contributions to film and television, Shepherd was an esteemed acting teacher and theater director. An upcoming documentary titled A Gift of Fire is set to showcase her extensive career, highlighting her role as an acting coach for 40 years, running her own studio in New York City.
Beyond her appearances in Goodfellas and The Sopranos, Shepherd featured in a diverse range of projects, including Jacob’s Ladder, Trees Lounge, the 1997 adaptation of Lolita, Requiem for a Dream, A Dirty Shame with John Waters, and various television ventures such as the Law & Order franchise, Third Watch, Ed, and Blue Bloods.
Actor and real estate agent Tom Titone, who studied under Shepherd, expressed his gratitude on Facebook, recalling her pivotal role in his life.
“I studied with Suzanne as a young actor. She saw in me what I could not yet see in myself,” Titone shared. “She introduced me to my husband and officiated our marriage under a beautiful gazebo in Central Park. For this, I will always be grateful. She was a huge presence, a BIG personality. She roared with life and at it. May she rest now.”
Tom Titone
Ray Abruzzo, known for his role in The Sopranos, also paid tribute to Shepherd, describing her as a “force of nature” and expressing sadness at her passing. “Actress, teacher. Played Carmella’s mother on Sopranos and Karen’s mother in Goodfellas. Rest in peace.”