Catherine Scorsese was an American actress of Italian descent, best known for her roles in “Goodfellas,” “Moonstruck,” and “Casino.” She was born Catherine Cappa on April 16, 1912, in New York City, New York, and became known for playing the typical Italian mother in films.
Personal and Family Life
Catherine Scorsese grew up in Little Italy, Manhattan, in a large family with three brothers and five sisters. She married Charles Scorsese in 1933, and together they had three children, one of whom is film director Martin Scorsese. Catherine had a role in her son’s films, starting with a short film in 1964, and continued to act in various movies over the years.
Career Highlights
Catherine had a notable career in film, appearing in several influential movies such as “Goodfellas,” “The Godfather Part III,” and “Moonstruck,” all of which were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar. Additionally, she contributed to her son’s projects by cooking for the cast and crew while on set. Her last film role came in “Casino,” which was released when she was 83 years old.
Death and Legacy
Catherine Scorsese passed away on January 6, 1997, due to Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 84. She left behind a legacy not only as an actress but also as a loving mother and grandmother, influencing many through her family and her cooking expertise showcased in her cookbook published shortly before her death.
Filmography
| Title | Release Date | Character |
|---|---|---|
| GoodFellas | 1990-09-12 | Tommy’s Mother |
| It’s Not Just You, Murray! | 1964-01-13 | Mother |
| Italianamerican | 1974-10-01 | Self |
| Casino | 1995-11-22 | Piscano’s Mother |
| Who’s That Knocking at My Door | 1967-11-15 | Mother |
| The Godfather Part III | 1990-12-25 | Woman in Cafe |
| Martin Scorsese Directs | 1990-06-16 | Self |
| The King of Comedy | 1982-12-18 | Rupert’s Mom (voice) |
| The Muppets Take Manhattan | 1984-06-27 | Extra (uncredited) |
| The Scorsese Machine | 1990-01-01 | Self |
| Mean Streets | 1973-10-14 | Woman on Landing (uncredited) |
| Cape Fear | 1991-11-13 | Fruit Stand Customer |
| China Girl | 1987-09-25 | Old Woman at the Bar (uncredited) |
| Wise Guys | 1986-04-17 | Birthday Guest |
| Scorsese on Scorsese | 2004-12-08 | Self (archive footage) |
| Martin Scorsese: Back on the Block | 1973-01-01 | Self |
| The Age of Innocence | 1993-09-10 | Elderly Woman at Jersey City Station (uncredited) |
| Moonstruck | 1987-12-16 | Customer at Bakery |
| Men Lie | 1994-01-13 | |
| A Shot at the Top: The Making of ‘The King of Comedy’ | 2002-12-17 | Self (archive footage) |
| Bad | 1987-08-31 | Bus Passenger |
| Martin Scorsese, l’Italo-Américain | 2023-12-08 | Self |
| Inside Rupert Pupkin | 2014-05-14 | Self (archive footage) |