As she embarks on her seventh decade, Lorraine Bracco, the iconic star of "The Sopranos," is ready to find love once again. The 70-year-old actress, who captivated audiences as Dr. Jennifer Melfi, Tony Soprano's psychiatrist, recently opened up about her romantic aspirations during an interview with AARP.
Bracco candidly shared that she is currently single and believes that love is on the horizon. "I’m single, and I’m sure someone will arrive," she stated, expressing her optimism. The actress revealed that she is looking for specific qualities in a potential partner, emphasizing the importance of humor and self-assurance. "A sense of humor is extremely important. And I like a guy who’s sure of himself," she explained. "I’m sure of myself, so I want him to be rock steady."
Bracco's journey through love has been marked by significant relationships and personal growth. She was first married to Daniel Guerard in 1979, a union that began when they learned she was pregnant with their daughter, Margaux. "Basically, he said, 'Well, what do you want to do?' And I said, 'Well, where I come from, you get married, and you have the child.' And he very happily said, 'OK. Let's do it,'" Bracco recalled. However, the couple divorced in 1982.
Following her marriage to Guerard, Bracco entered an 11-year relationship with Oscar-nominated actor Harvey Keitel. Reflecting on their time together, she described Keitel as "very intense" and admitted to being "seduced" by him. The couple shares a daughter, Stella, who is now 39. Their relationship ended in 1993 after Bracco confessed to having an affair with her "A Talent for the Game" co-star Edward James Olmos, whom she married shortly after. "He hated me for it. I disgusted him," Bracco confessed about her breakup with Keitel, acknowledging that the affair marked the beginning of the end for their relationship.
The custody battle over Stella was tumultuous, leaving Bracco with $2 million in legal fees. This experience took a toll on her subsequent marriage to Olmos, which ended in 2002. In the aftermath, Bracco faced a difficult period of depression, which she addressed by seeking professional help in 1997 after landing her role in "The Sopranos." "I lost a year of my life to depression, and my advice to anyone going through it is get a good doctor, get diagnosed, and know that pharmacology works — don’t be afraid of it," she advised. "The stigma of it stopped me at first. Stupid. And talk therapy is major. You’re worth it, you’re worth having a good day, every day."
Bracco's portrayal of Dr. Melfi earned her critical acclaim, including three consecutive Emmy Award nominations for outstanding lead actress in a drama series from 1999 to 2001 and multiple Golden Globe nominations. Despite the show's success, Bracco expressed that her memories of it are often bittersweet due to the loss of her co-stars, James Gandolfini and Ray Liotta. "When I think about ['The Sopranos'] I don’t think about the success — I think about what I lost," she reflected. Gandolfini passed away in June 2013, while Liotta died in May 2022.
As she continues to embrace her career, Bracco is stepping into new territory with her first comedic role in the upcoming Netflix film "Nonnas." The film follows Joe Scaravella, portrayed by Vince Vaughn, who opens a restaurant staffed by grandmothers. "I’ve never, ever done a comedy before, so this was big for me. I was nervous; I didn’t know where to start," Bracco admitted. "The director gave me these ugly glasses, and I said: ‘I look terrible, what are you doing to me?’ He said, 'Lorraine, trust me.' He was hysterical, laughing behind the camera. Vince Vaughn kept saying, ‘Lorraine, you’re doing great! Just commit! Believe!’"
Bracco's personal life has also flourished as she embraces her role as a grandmother to Margaux's two children. "Being a grandmother is so much fun because you relive a part of you that’s been dormant for a while," she shared. "We play, we read, we talk. As long as I can get down on the floor and get back up again, I’m good."
Reflecting on her life as she enters her 70s, Bracco recalls a promise she made to herself at 50: "More fun, more fun, more fun!" As she navigates the dating scene and explores new opportunities in her career, Lorraine Bracco continues to inspire with her resilience, humor, and commitment to living life to the fullest.
