Edie Falco

Actress


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

In her two-hour-and-twenty-minute interview, Edie Falco discusses her childhood on Long Island and attending college at SUNY Purchase, where she studied acting. She describes moving to New York after graduation to pursue her acting career and early television roles on the soap opera Loving, and the series Homicide: Life on the Street and Law & Order. Falco then tells the story of being cast on Oz by series creator Tom Fontana, and discusses working with the cast and writers, and the legacy of the series. She then talks extensively about The Sopranos, including her admiration for show creator David Chase, her feelings about her character, “Carmela Soprano,” her character’s relationship with “Tony” and the experience of working with the late James Gandolfini, and specific episodes of the series, including the finale. Falco then moves on to her next series, Nurse Jackie, describing her experience working with the cast, writers, and showrunners, sharing her thoughts about the series being categorized as a comedy at the Emmys, and her desire for her character’s addiction to be depicted honestly. She talks about her work on Louis C.K.’s show Horace and Pete and concludes by sharing what she likes about acting, advice to aspiring actors, her proudest career achievement, and where she sees herself in ten years. Adrienne Faillace conducted the interview on November 15, 2016 in New York, NY.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

“I said in an interview a million years ago that I would do this for free … My agent at the time gave me a stern talking to, ‘Don’t ever say that you would do anything for free.’ It’s now 30 years later and I would do every second of this for free. And I don’t care that I will never work again because of it or never make another penny. It’s the truth.”

People Talking About ...
Highlights
Edie Falco on The Sopranos episode "Whitecaps," when "Carmela" throws "Tony" out of the house
04:24
Edie Falco on what she likes about acting
01:55
Edie Falco on the season five finale of Nurse Jackie, "Soul" when "Jackie" falls off the wagon and the depiction of her character's addiction on the series
03:12
Edie Falco on advice to aspiring actors
00:46
Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On her childhood and early influences; on studying theater in college and moving to New York to pursue her career after graduation; on early professional gigs
On her early TV appearances; on Oz; on what she likes in a director
On being cast on The Sopranos; on shooting the pilot of The Sopranos; on her character, "Carmela Soprano"
On "Carmela Soprano's" faith; on violence on The Sopranos; on working with her castmates on The Sopranos

Chapter 2

On working with castmates on The Sopranos; on the show's popularity; on her award nominations and wins for The Sopranos
On specific episodes of The Sopranos; on being diagnosed with breast cancer during the run of The Sopranos
On other favorite moments from The Sopranos; on the finale of The Sopranos; on the legacy of The Sopranos; on her tribute to James Gandolfini at the 2013 Emmys

Chapter 3

On guest-star roles on sitcoms; on her Nurse Jackie character, "Jackie Peyton"; on playing the lead on a series
On working with the creators and cast on Nurse Jackie; on winning an Emmy for Nurse Jackie and the series being categorized as a comedy; on the depiction of "Jackie Peyton's" addiction
On the series finale of Nurse Jackie; on Horace and Pete
On what she likes about acting; on how the industry has changed since she started out; on advice to aspiring actors; on her proudest career achievement; on where she sees herself in ten years
Shows

30 Rock

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Edie Falco on guest-starring on 30 Rock
01:04

Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)

View Show Page
Edie Falco on winning and being nominated for Emmys and other awards for The Sopranos
01:51
Edie Falco on the tribute to James Gandolfini that she presented at the Emmys in 2013
01:21
Edie Falco on winning an Emmy for Nurse Jackie in 2010 and her feelings about the series being classified as a comedy
01:31

Homicide: Life on the Street

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Edie Falco on appearing on Homicide: Life on the Street
01:14

Horace and Pete

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Edie Falco on how Louis C.K. approached her about his series Horace and Pete
02:33
Edie Falco on working with the all-star cast of Horace and Pete
00:45
Edie Falco on how Louis C.K. described Horace and Pete to her
00:15
Edie Falco on developing her Horace and Pete character, "Sylvia"
01:01
Edie Falco on Louis C.K.'s vision for the profit model of Horace and Pete
00:44
Edie Falco on playing both "Sylvia" and her mother on an episode of Louis C.K.'s Horace and Pete
01:09
Edie Falco on what is was like to be directed by Louis C.K. on Horace and Pete
00:44

Law & Order

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Edie Falco on appearing on Law & Order
00:57

Loving

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Edie Falco on appearing on the soap opera Loving early in her career
01:19

Nurse Jackie

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Edie Falco on how Nurse Jackie came to be and what she liked about the pilot script
02:15
Edie Falco on her Nurse Jackie character, "Jackie Peyton"
02:18
Edie Falco on visiting an emergency room to do research for Nurse Jackie and why it made her uncomfortable
00:57
Edie Falco on her interactions with the writers on Nurse Jackie
01:38
Edie Falco on playing the lead in a show for the first time on Nurse Jackie
01:19
Edie Falco on the shooting schedule of Nurse Jackie and where the series was filmed
01:24
Edie Falco on working with the Nurse Jackie showrunners Linda Wallem, Liz Brixius, and Clyde Phillips
02:22
Edie Falco on being involved in the casting on Nurse Jackie
01:41
Edie Falco on working with Merritt Wever ("Zoey Barkow") on Nurse Jackie, and the relationship between their characters
01:43
Edie Falco on working with Paul Schulze ("Eddie Walzer") on Nurse Jackie
01:35
Edie Falco on her Nurse Jackie character, "Jackie Peyton's" romantic relationships
00:57
Edie Falco on her Nurse Jackie character, "Jackie Peyton's" relationship with her boss, "Gloria Akalitus," played by Anna Deavere Smith
01:00
Edie Falco on working with Eve Best ("Eleanor O'Hara") on Nurse Jackie
01:00
Edie Falco on her Nurse Jackie character, "Jackie Peyton's" relationship with "Fitch Cooper" played by Peter Facinelli
00:59
Edie Falco on winning an Emmy for Nurse Jackie in 2010 and her feelings about the series being classified as a comedy
01:31
Edie Falco on the season five finale of Nurse Jackie, "Soul" when "Jackie" falls off the wagon and the depiction of her character's addiction on the series
03:11
Edie Falco on the series finale of Nurse Jackie and the fate that she wanted for her character
01:54
Edie Falco on memorable moments from Nurse Jackie
01:05
Edie Falco on the legacy of Nurse Jackie and the anti-hero on television
02:22

Oz

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Edie Falco on working on Oz and her character, "Diane Whittlesey"
01:31
Edie Falco on the two Oz characters Tom Fontana presented to her for her to play
00:35
Edie Falco on her interactions with the writers on Oz
01:03
Edie Falco on not doing research for her role on Oz, and how she generally does not do research for roles
01:03
Edie Falco on the relationship between her character, "Diane Whittlesey" and Terry Kinney's character, "Tim McManus" on Oz
01:00
Edie Falco on the production schedule on Oz
00:40
Edie Falco on working with the producers and cast on Oz
01:14
Edie Falco on leaving Oz
00:31
Edie Falco on her favorite moment on Oz
00:38
Edie Falco on the legacy of Oz
00:48

Sopranos, The

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Edie Falco on being cast as "Carmela Soprano" on The Sopranos
02:06
Edie Falco on her first impressions of The Sopranos creator, David Chase
00:43
Edie Falco on the other actors that were considered for lead roles in The Sopranos
00:46
Edie Falco on shooting the pilot of The Sopranos and when she heard the show had been picked up
01:57
Edie Falco on her character on The Sopranos, "Carmela Soprano"
01:01
Edie Falco on the hair and makeup for her character on The Sopranos, "Carmela Soprano," and "Carmela's" accent
01:42
Edie Falco on trusting the writers on The Sopranos
01:54
Edie Falco on the production schedule on The Sopranos
00:58
Edie Falco on "Carmela Soprano's" faith on The Sopranos and her relationship with her priest
02:20
Edie Falco on how The Sopranos balanced comedy and drama
00:55
Edie Falco on David Chase's presence on the set of The Sopranos
00:36
Edie Falco on violence on The Sopranos
01:11
Edie Falco on The Sopranos being shot at Silvercup Studios in Long Island City, Queens and around New Jersey
00:34
Edie Falco on running into James Gandolfini on the street on 9/11 and how 9/11 affected The Sopranos
01:30
Edie Falco on working with James Gandolfini ("Tony Soprano") on The Sopranos and the relationship between "Tony" and "Carmela"
02:16
Edie Falco on working with Robert Iler ("A.J. Soprano") and Jamie-Lynn Sigler ("Meadow Soprano") on The Sopranos
02:42
Edie Falco on working with Nancy Marchand ("Livia Soprano") on The Sopranos
00:58
Edie Falco on working with Lorraine Bracco ("Dr. Melfi") on The Sopranos
00:35
Edie Falco on working with Aida Turturro ("Janice Soprano") on The Sopranos
00:45
Edie Falco on working with Sharon Angela ("Rosalie Aprile") on The Sopranos
00:36
Edie Falco on working with Drea de Matteo ("Adriana La Cerva") on The Sopranos
00:21
Edie Falco on working with Michael Imperioli ("Christopher Moltisanti") on The Sopranos
00:45
Edie Falco on the portrayal of women on The Sopranos
00:43
Edie Falco on doing publicity for The Sopranos and being recognized on the street
01:51
Edie Falco on The Sopranos' popularity
00:54
Edie Falco on winning and being nominated for Emmys and other awards for The Sopranos
01:51
Edie Falco on The Sopranos episode "Second Opinion"
01:01
Edie Falco on The Sopranos episode "Whitecaps," when "Carmela" throws "Tony" out of the house
04:24
Edie Falco on being diagnosed with breast cancer during the run of The Sopranos
03:31
Edie Falco on The Sopranos episode "Sentimental Education," when "Carmela" has an affair
01:00
Edie Falco on The Sopranos episode "Long Term Parking," when "Tony" and "Carmela" reconcile
01:01
Edie Falco on The Sopranos episode "Cold Stones," when "Carmela" takes a trip to Paris with "Rosalie Aprile"
01:28
Edie Falco on some of her favorite moments from The Sopranos
01:33
Edie Falco on why she hasn't watched The Sopranos
00:55
Edie Falco on her feelings about the finale of The Sopranos
03:30
Edie Falco on filming the finale of The Sopranos and the audience reaction to the episode
01:50
Edie Falco on the legacy of The Sopranos
00:53
Edie Falco on being typecast after the end of The Sopranos
00:49
Edie Falco on the tribute to James Gandolfini that she presented at the Emmys in 2013
01:21

Sopranos, The: "Made in America"

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Edie Falco on her feelings about the finale of The Sopranos
03:30
Edie Falco on filming the finale of The Sopranos and the audience reaction to the episode
01:50

Will & Grace

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Edie Falco on guest-starring on Will & Grace
01:25
Topics

9/11

View Topic
Edie Falco on running into James Gandolfini on the street on 9/11 and how 9/11 affected The Sopranos
01:30

Advice

View Topic
Edie Falco on the best advice she has received
00:59
Edie Falco on the best advice she has received
00:59
Edie Falco on advice to aspiring actors
00:46

Characters & Catchphrases

View Topic
Edie Falco on "Carmela Soprano's" faith on The Sopranos and her relationship with her priest
02:20

Classic TV series episodes

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Edie Falco on the finale of The Sopranos
05:21

Creative Influences and Inspiration

View Topic
Edie Falco on seeing her mother perform in amateur theater when she was a kid
00:49
Edie Falco on doing theater in high school and overcoming her shyness in order to audition
01:20
Edie Falco on a high school music teacher who inspired her artistically
01:35

Criticism of TV

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Edie Falco on violence on The Sopranos
01:11

Drama

View Topic
Edie Falco on the finale of The Sopranos
05:21

Emmy Awards

View Topic
Edie Falco on winning and being nominated for Emmys and other awards for The Sopranos
01:51
Edie Falco on the tribute to James Gandolfini that she presented at the Emmys in 2013
01:21
Edie Falco on winning an Emmy for Nurse Jackie in 2010 and her feelings about the series being classified as a comedy
01:31

Fame and Celebrity

View Topic
Edie Falco on being recognized on the street for playing "Carmela Soprano" on The Sopranos
00:58

First Big Break

View Topic
Edie Falco on how she got her first agent
00:48

Historic Events and Social Change

View Topic
Edie Falco on running into James Gandolfini on the street on 9/11 and how 9/11 affected The Sopranos
01:30

Overcoming Adversity

View Topic
Edie Falco on being diagnosed with breast cancer during the run of The Sopranos
03:31

Pivotal Career Moments

View Topic
Edie Falco on seeing her mother perform in amateur theater when she was a kid
00:49
Edie Falco on doing theater in high school and overcoming her shyness in order to audition
01:20
Edie Falco on how she got her first agent
00:48
Edie Falco on being diagnosed with breast cancer during the run of The Sopranos
03:31
Edie Falco on a high school music teacher who inspired her artistically
01:35

Pop Culture

View Topic
Edie Falco on "Carmela Soprano's" faith on The Sopranos and her relationship with her priest
02:20
Edie Falco on being recognized on the street for playing "Carmela Soprano" on The Sopranos
00:58
Edie Falco on the finale of The Sopranos
05:21

Representation on Television

View Topic
Edie Falco on her Nurse Jackie character, "Jackie Peyton," as an anti-hero, and the uniqueness of her being a female anti-hero
01:26
Edie Falco on how roles for women have changed since she started out in television and how she relates to her characters as a woman
01:57

Sex & Violence

View Topic
Edie Falco on violence on The Sopranos
01:11

Television Industry

View Topic
Edie Falco on violence on The Sopranos
01:11
Edie Falco on winning an Emmy for Nurse Jackie in 2010 and her feelings about the series being classified as a comedy
01:31
Edie Falco on her interactions with network executives
01:20
Edie Falco on how the television industry has changed since she started out
02:14
Edie Falco on how roles for women have changed since she started out in television and how she relates to her characters as a woman
01:57
Edie Falco on advice to aspiring actors
00:46

Women

View Topic
Edie Falco on her Nurse Jackie character, "Jackie Peyton," as an anti-hero, and the uniqueness of her being a female anti-hero
01:26
Edie Falco on how roles for women have changed since she started out in television and how she relates to her characters as a woman
01:57
Professions

Actress

View Profession
Edie Falco on not consciously doing research for roles
00:57
Edie Falco on what she likes in a director, as an actor
01:13
Edie Falco on what she likes in a director, as an actor
01:13
Edie Falco on why she prefers shooting single-camera television shows without an audience
00:57
Edie Falco on what she likes about acting
01:55
Edie Falco on advice to aspiring actors
00:46

Performers

View Profession
Edie Falco on not consciously doing research for roles
00:57
Edie Falco on why she prefers shooting single-camera television shows without an audience
00:57
Edie Falco on what she likes about acting
01:55
Edie Falco on advice to aspiring actors
00:46
Genres

Comedy Series

View Genre
Edie Falco on guest-starring on Will & Grace
01:25
Edie Falco on guest-starring on 30 Rock
01:04
Edie Falco on Nurse Jackie
32:49
Edie Falco on Horace and Pete
07:17

Cop/Detective/Mystery Series

View Genre
Edie Falco on appearing on Homicide: Life on the Street
01:14
Edie Falco on appearing on Law & Order
00:57

Daytime/Primetime Serials

View Genre
Edie Falco on appearing on the soap opera Loving early in her career
01:19

Drama Series

View Genre
Edie Falco on Oz
10:27
Edie Falco on The Sopranos (Part 1)
23:58
Edie Falco on The Sopranos (Part 2)
32:57
Edie Falco on Nurse Jackie
32:49
People

Lorraine Bracco

View Person Page
Edie Falco on working with Lorraine Bracco ("Dr. Melfi") on The Sopranos
00:35

Louis C.K.

View Person Page
Edie Falco on how Louis C.K. approached her about Horace and Pete
02:33
Edie Falco on working with the all-star cast of the Louis C.K. series Horace and Pete
00:45
Edie Falco on how Louis C.K. described his show, Horace and Pete, to her
00:16
Edie Falco on her Horace and Pete character, "Sylvia"
01:01
Edie Falco on Louis C.K.'s vision for the profit model of Horace and Pete
00:44
Edie Falco on playing both "Sylvia" and her mother on an episode of Louis C.K.'s Horace and Pete
01:09
Edie Falco on what is was like to be directed by Louis C.K. on Horace and Pete
00:44

David Chase

View Interview Page
Edie Falco on her first impressions of The Sopranos creator, David Chase
00:43
Edie Falco on David Chase's presence on the set of The Sopranos
00:36

Tom Fontana

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Edie Falco on the two Oz characters Tom Fontana presented to her for her to play
00:35

James Gandolfini

View Person Page
Edie Falco on running into James Gandolfini on the street on 9/11 and how 9/11 affected The Sopranos
01:30
Edie Falco on working with James Gandolfini ("Tony Soprano") on The Sopranos and the relationship between "Tony" and "Carmela"
02:16
Edie Falco on the tribute to James Gandolfini that she presented at the Emmys in 2013
01:21

Robert Iler

View Person Page
Edie Falco on working with Robert Iler ("A.J. Soprano") and Jamie-Lynn Sigler ("Meadow Soprano") on The Sopranos
02:42

Michael Imperioli

View Person Page
Edie Falco on working with Michael Imperioli ("Christopher Moltisanti") on The Sopranos
00:45

Nancy Marchand

View Person Page
Edie Falco on working with Nancy Marchand ("Livia Soprano") on The Sopranos
00:58

Jamie-Lynn Sigler

View Person Page
Edie Falco on working with Robert Iler ("A.J. Soprano") and Jamie-Lynn Sigler ("Meadow Soprano") on The Sopranos
02:42

All Interviews

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