Suzanne Shepherd, 'Goodfellas' and 'Sopranos' Actress, Dead at 89

Suzanne Shepherd

Suzanne Shepherd, who made her mark with many compelling roles from the late '80s to now, has died. She was 89 years old.

The sad news was shared by actor and real estate agent Tom Titone on Facebook, with Titone writing alongside some memorable photos of Shepherd, "Suzanne Shepherd passed away peacefully very early yesterday morning. She was 89 years old. I took these photos a couple of years ago at her home on the UWS. Always the actress."

"I studied with Suzanne as a young actor. She saw in me what I could not yet see in myself. She introduced me to my husband. She was the officiant to our marriage under a beautiful gazebo in Central Park with a gathering of family and friends. For this, I will always be grateful," he went on. "She was a huge presence. A BIG personality. She roared with life and at it. May she rest now."

Titone also noted that a shiva, a tradition observed as part of Judaism and also referred to as a "sitting shiva," will take place Monday, Nov. 20, and Tuesday, Nov. 21, between 5 and 8 p.m.

Sopranos actor Ray Abruzzo paid tribute to the actress over the weekend, writing on Instagram, "Sad to hear of the passing of Suzanne Shepherd. A force of nature. Actress, teacher. Played Carmella’s mother on Sopranos and Karen’s mother in Goodfellas #sopranos #goodfellas."

In The Sopranos, Shepherd portrayed Mary DeAngelis, the mother of Edie Falco's Carmela Soprano, while her character in Goodfellas was Karen's mother. She also had key roles in Lolita, Mystic Pizza, Uncle Buck, Requiem for a Dream and more. Most recently, she appeared in the 2023 film The Performance.

Shepherd is survived by her daughter, Kate Shepherd, son-in-law Miles, daughter-in-law Joyce, and granddaughter Isabelle, as reported by The U.S. Sun.

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