Suzanne Shepherd at the New Museum of Contemporary Art in 2004.Photo:Patrick McMullan via Getty
Patrick McMullan via Getty
Suzanne Shepherd, the actress best known for her roles inGoodfellasand as Carmella Soprano’s mother inThe Sopranos, has died. She was 89.
Shepherd died “peacefully in her home” in New York City on early Friday morning, a rep confirmed to PEOPLE. In a statement, the actress was also described as a “director, legendary acting teacher and private coach.“The Sunfirst confirmed the news of her death.
Suzanne Shepherd (far right) appears in a 2001 episode of ‘The Sopranos’ with Sharon Angela and Tom Aldredge.HBO/Courtesy Everett Collection
HBO/Courtesy Everett Collection
Suzanne’s daughter Kate reportedly toldTMZthat her mother was suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and that a cause of death had not yet been determined.
Shepherd appeared in several films and series since the 1980s. According to IMDB, her first major role was as Aunt Tweedy in 1988’sMystic Pizza.She went on to star in Martin Scorsese’s 1990 classicGoodfellasas Karen’s mother, as well as in 1997’sLolitaand 2000’sRequiem for a Dream.Her last documented role was Tess in 2023’sThe Performance.
In television, Shepherd appeared in shows includingLaw & OrderandBlue Bloods,among others.
“Sad to hear of the passing of Suzanne Shepherd,” Ray Abruzzo, who played Little Carmine Lupertazzi in the show, wrote onInstagramalongside an image of his late costar. “A force of nature. Actress, teacher. Played Carmella’s mother on Sopranos and Karen’s mother in Goodfellas.”
According toVariety, Shepherd was an acting coach for more than four decades in New York, directed at theaters across the country, and has an upcoming documentary,A Gift of Fire,focusing on her teaching work.
Suzanne Shepherd attends ‘The Week Of’ New York premiere in 2018.Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic
Gilbert Carrasquillo/FilmMagic
Shepherd’s granddaughter Isabelle paid tribute to her onInstagramon Saturday, remembering her as the family matriarch.
In the post, Isabelle shared that her grandmother “shaped me and my life,” and “instilled in me a love of literature and language, and a delight in the beauty this world holds.”
“I’ve been reflecting on the role of such a figure, and I find that it is most evident and tangible in the spaces they create for us to share,” she wrote alongside throwback images of her and her grandmother. “And oh, the magical places Suzanne created!”
source: people.com
