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Actress Lorraine Bracco recently shared behind-the-scenes stories from the iconic film Goodfellas during a screening at New York’s Paris Theater. Bracco, who played Karen Hill, wife of gangster Henry Hill, offered insights into her casting, her relationship with co-star Ray Liotta, and the film’s creative process.
Bracco revealed she and Liotta were essentially hand-picked by director Martin Scorsese, who affectionately called them “the kids.” She spoke fondly of Liotta, who passed away in 2022, praising his dedication to the role and recalling their on-screen chemistry. Bracco described the demanding filming schedule, which kept the cast largely confined to their trailers.
The actress also highlighted Scorsese’s encouragement of improvisation on set. One memorable example?
The infamous kitchen scene. Bracco laughingly admitted to improvising the “b— j–b scene,” a moment that has become one of the film’s most talked-about sequences, thanks in part to Liotta’s enthusiastic participation.
Besides Goodfellas, Bracco is well-known for her role as Dr. Jennifer Melfi in The Sopranos. She is currently appearing in the Netflix comedy Nonnas, alongside Vince Vaughn and Susan Sarandon.