Suzanne Shepherd dead: “Goodfellas” and “Sopranos” actress was 89 years old

Good people Actress Suzanne Shepherd has died aged 89, her family has confirmed.

The experienced actress is best known for her roles in Martin Scorsese’s hit film about the mafia The sopranos on TV.

Fans were quick to pay tribute to her on social media, with one calling her “the mother actress”. Soprano star Ray Abruzzo also posted a tribute on Instagram, saying:

“It is sad to hear of the death of Suzanne Shepherd.

“A force of nature. Actress, teacher.”

Shepherd portrayed the character’s mother Karen Hill (played by Lorraine Bracco). Good people.

In The sopranosShe played Mary DeAngelis, the mother of Carmela Soprano (played by actress Edie Falco).

Since her first role as Aunt Tweedy in 1988, Shepherd has enjoyed a career spanning more than three decades. Mystic pizza. She also played along Requiem for a dream, Uncle Goat And Lolita.

Among other things, she appeared on television Law and authority And Blue blood.

She was last seen this year The performance as the character of Tess.

In addition to her own acting career, Shepherd has directed in theaters across the United States and worked as an acting coach in her own studio in New York. An upcoming documentary titled A gift of fire will describe her lessons.

Shepherd studied acting with Sanford Meisner and then became the first woman to teach in Meisner’s acting studies program. She was a founding member of the Compass Players in the early 1960s with Alan Alda and Alan Arkin.