About
“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.”
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.
Highlights
Edie Falco on The Sopranos episode "Whitecaps," when "Carmela" throws "Tony" out of the house
Edie Falco on what she likes about acting
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
Edie Falco on advice to aspiring actors
Full Interview
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
Edie Falco on guest-starring on 30 Rock
Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)
Edie Falco on winning and being nominated for Emmys and other awards for The Sopranos
Edie Falco on the tribute to James Gandolfini that she presented at the Emmys in 2013
Edie Falco on winning an Emmy for Nurse Jackie in 2010 and her feelings about the series being classified as a comedy
Homicide: Life on the Street
Edie Falco on appearing on Homicide: Life on the Street
Horace and Pete
Edie Falco on how Louis C.K. approached her about his series Horace and Pete
Edie Falco on working with the all-star cast of Horace and Pete
Edie Falco on how Louis C.K. described Horace and Pete to her
Edie Falco on developing her Horace and Pete character, "Sylvia"
Edie Falco on Louis C.K.'s vision for the profit model of Horace and Pete
Edie Falco on playing both "Sylvia" and her mother on an episode of Louis C.K.'s Horace and Pete
Edie Falco on what is was like to be directed by Louis C.K. on Horace and Pete
Law & Order
Edie Falco on appearing on Law & Order
Loving
Edie Falco on appearing on the soap opera Loving early in her career
Nurse Jackie
Edie Falco on how Nurse Jackie came to be and what she liked about the pilot script
Edie Falco on her Nurse Jackie character, "Jackie Peyton"
Edie Falco on visiting an emergency room to do research for Nurse Jackie and why it made her uncomfortable
Edie Falco on her interactions with the writers on Nurse Jackie
Edie Falco on playing the lead in a show for the first time on Nurse Jackie
Edie Falco on the shooting schedule of Nurse Jackie and where the series was filmed
Edie Falco on working with the Nurse Jackie showrunners Linda Wallem, Liz Brixius, and Clyde Phillips
Edie Falco on being involved in the casting on Nurse Jackie
Edie Falco on working with Merritt Wever ("Zoey Barkow") on Nurse Jackie, and the relationship between their characters
Edie Falco on working with Paul Schulze ("Eddie Walzer") on Nurse Jackie
Edie Falco on her Nurse Jackie character, "Jackie Peyton's" romantic relationships
Edie Falco on her Nurse Jackie character, "Jackie Peyton's" relationship with her boss, "Gloria Akalitus," played by Anna Deavere Smith
Edie Falco on working with Eve Best ("Eleanor O'Hara") on Nurse Jackie
Edie Falco on her Nurse Jackie character, "Jackie Peyton's" relationship with "Fitch Cooper" played by Peter Facinelli
Edie Falco on winning an Emmy for Nurse Jackie in 2010 and her feelings about the series being classified as a comedy
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
Edie Falco on the series finale of Nurse Jackie and the fate that she wanted for her character
Edie Falco on memorable moments from Nurse Jackie
Edie Falco on the legacy of Nurse Jackie and the anti-hero on television
Oz
Edie Falco on working on Oz and her character, "Diane Whittlesey"
Edie Falco on the two Oz characters Tom Fontana presented to her for her to play
Edie Falco on her interactions with the writers on Oz
Edie Falco on not doing research for her role on Oz, and how she generally does not do research for roles
Edie Falco on the relationship between her character, "Diane Whittlesey" and Terry Kinney's character, "Tim McManus" on Oz
Edie Falco on the production schedule on Oz
Edie Falco on working with the producers and cast on Oz
Edie Falco on leaving Oz
Edie Falco on her favorite moment on Oz
Edie Falco on the legacy of Oz
Sopranos, The
Edie Falco on being cast as "Carmela Soprano" on The Sopranos
Edie Falco on her first impressions of The Sopranos creator, David Chase
Edie Falco on the other actors that were considered for lead roles in The Sopranos
Edie Falco on shooting the pilot of The Sopranos and when she heard the show had been picked up
Edie Falco on her character on The Sopranos, "Carmela Soprano"
Edie Falco on the hair and makeup for her character on The Sopranos, "Carmela Soprano," and "Carmela's" accent
Edie Falco on trusting the writers on The Sopranos
Edie Falco on the production schedule on The Sopranos
Edie Falco on "Carmela Soprano's" faith on The Sopranos and her relationship with her priest
Edie Falco on how The Sopranos balanced comedy and drama
Edie Falco on David Chase's presence on the set of The Sopranos
Edie Falco on violence on The Sopranos
Edie Falco on The Sopranos being shot at Silvercup Studios in Long Island City, Queens and around New Jersey
Edie Falco on running into James Gandolfini on the street on 9/11 and how 9/11 affected The Sopranos
Edie Falco on working with James Gandolfini ("Tony Soprano") on The Sopranos and the relationship between "Tony" and "Carmela"
Edie Falco on working with Robert Iler ("A.J. Soprano") and Jamie-Lynn Sigler ("Meadow Soprano") on The Sopranos
Edie Falco on working with Nancy Marchand ("Livia Soprano") on The Sopranos
Edie Falco on working with Lorraine Bracco ("Dr. Melfi") on The Sopranos
Edie Falco on working with Aida Turturro ("Janice Soprano") on The Sopranos
Edie Falco on working with Sharon Angela ("Rosalie Aprile") on The Sopranos
Edie Falco on working with Drea de Matteo ("Adriana La Cerva") on The Sopranos
Edie Falco on working with Michael Imperioli ("Christopher Moltisanti") on The Sopranos
Edie Falco on the portrayal of women on The Sopranos
Edie Falco on doing publicity for The Sopranos and being recognized on the street
Edie Falco on The Sopranos' popularity
Edie Falco on winning and being nominated for Emmys and other awards for The Sopranos
Edie Falco on The Sopranos episode "Second Opinion"
Edie Falco on The Sopranos episode "Whitecaps," when "Carmela" throws "Tony" out of the house
Edie Falco on being diagnosed with breast cancer during the run of The Sopranos
Edie Falco on The Sopranos episode "Sentimental Education," when "Carmela" has an affair
Edie Falco on The Sopranos episode "Long Term Parking," when "Tony" and "Carmela" reconcile
Edie Falco on The Sopranos episode "Cold Stones," when "Carmela" takes a trip to Paris with "Rosalie Aprile"
Edie Falco on some of her favorite moments from The Sopranos
Edie Falco on why she hasn't watched The Sopranos
Edie Falco on her feelings about the finale of The Sopranos
Edie Falco on filming the finale of The Sopranos and the audience reaction to the episode
Edie Falco on the legacy of The Sopranos
Edie Falco on being typecast after the end of The Sopranos
Edie Falco on the tribute to James Gandolfini that she presented at the Emmys in 2013
Sopranos, The: "Made in America"
Edie Falco on her feelings about the finale of The Sopranos
Edie Falco on filming the finale of The Sopranos and the audience reaction to the episode
Will & Grace
Edie Falco on guest-starring on Will & Grace
Topics
9/11
Edie Falco on running into James Gandolfini on the street on 9/11 and how 9/11 affected The Sopranos
Advice
Edie Falco on the best advice she has received
Edie Falco on the best advice she has received
Edie Falco on advice to aspiring actors
Characters & Catchphrases
Edie Falco on "Carmela Soprano's" faith on The Sopranos and her relationship with her priest
Classic TV Series Episodes
Edie Falco on the finale of The Sopranos
Creative Influences and Inspiration
Edie Falco on seeing her mother perform in amateur theater when she was a kid
Edie Falco on doing theater in high school and overcoming her shyness in order to audition
Edie Falco on a high school music teacher who inspired her artistically
Criticism of TV
Edie Falco on violence on The Sopranos
Drama
Edie Falco on the finale of The Sopranos
Emmy Awards
Edie Falco on winning and being nominated for Emmys and other awards for The Sopranos
Edie Falco on the tribute to James Gandolfini that she presented at the Emmys in 2013
Edie Falco on winning an Emmy for Nurse Jackie in 2010 and her feelings about the series being classified as a comedy
Edie Falco on winning an Emmy for Nurse Jackie in 2010 and her feelings about the series being classified as a comedy
Fame and Celebrity
Edie Falco on being recognized on the street for playing "Carmela Soprano" on The Sopranos
First Big Break
Edie Falco on how she got her first agent
Historic Events and Social Change
Edie Falco on running into James Gandolfini on the street on 9/11 and how 9/11 affected The Sopranos
Overcoming Adversity
Edie Falco on being diagnosed with breast cancer during the run of The Sopranos
Pivotal Career Moments
Edie Falco on seeing her mother perform in amateur theater when she was a kid
Edie Falco on doing theater in high school and overcoming her shyness in order to audition
Edie Falco on how she got her first agent
Edie Falco on being diagnosed with breast cancer during the run of The Sopranos
Edie Falco on a high school music teacher who inspired her artistically
Pop Culture
Edie Falco on "Carmela Soprano's" faith on The Sopranos and her relationship with her priest
Edie Falco on being recognized on the street for playing "Carmela Soprano" on The Sopranos
Edie Falco on the finale of The Sopranos
Representation on Television
Edie Falco on her Nurse Jackie character, "Jackie Peyton," as an anti-hero, and the uniqueness of her being a female anti-hero
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
Sex & Violence
Edie Falco on violence on The Sopranos
Television Industry
Edie Falco on violence on The Sopranos
Edie Falco on winning an Emmy for Nurse Jackie in 2010 and her feelings about the series being classified as a comedy
Edie Falco on her interactions with network executives
Edie Falco on how the television industry has changed since she started out
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
Edie Falco on advice to aspiring actors
Women
Edie Falco on her Nurse Jackie character, "Jackie Peyton," as an anti-hero, and the uniqueness of her being a female anti-hero
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
Professions
Actress
Edie Falco on not consciously doing research for roles
Edie Falco on what she likes in a director, as an actor
Edie Falco on why she prefers shooting single-camera television shows without an audience
Edie Falco on what she likes about acting
Edie Falco on advice to aspiring actors
Performers
Edie Falco on not consciously doing research for roles
Edie Falco on what she likes in a director, as an actor
Edie Falco on why she prefers shooting single-camera television shows without an audience
Edie Falco on what she likes about acting
Edie Falco on advice to aspiring actors
Genres
Comedy Series
Edie Falco on guest-starring on Will & Grace
Edie Falco on guest-starring on 30 Rock
Edie Falco on Nurse Jackie
Edie Falco on Horace and Pete
Cop/Detective/Mystery Series
Edie Falco on appearing on Homicide: Life on the Street
Edie Falco on appearing on Law & Order
Daytime/Primetime Serials
Edie Falco on appearing on the soap opera Loving early in her career
Drama Series
Edie Falco on Oz
Edie Falco on The Sopranos (Part 1)
Edie Falco on The Sopranos (Part 2)
Edie Falco on Nurse Jackie
People
Lorraine Bracco
Edie Falco on working with Lorraine Bracco ("Dr. Melfi") on The Sopranos
Louis C.K.
Edie Falco on how Louis C.K. approached her about Horace and Pete
Edie Falco on working with the all-star cast of the Louis C.K. series Horace and Pete
Edie Falco on how Louis C.K. described his show, Horace and Pete, to her
Edie Falco on her Horace and Pete character, "Sylvia"
Edie Falco on Louis C.K.'s vision for the profit model of Horace and Pete
Edie Falco on playing both "Sylvia" and her mother on an episode of Louis C.K.'s Horace and Pete
Edie Falco on what is was like to be directed by Louis C.K. on Horace and Pete
David Chase
Edie Falco on her first impressions of The Sopranos creator, David Chase
Edie Falco on David Chase's presence on the set of The Sopranos
Tom Fontana
Edie Falco on the two Oz characters Tom Fontana presented to her for her to play
James Gandolfini
Edie Falco on running into James Gandolfini on the street on 9/11 and how 9/11 affected The Sopranos
Edie Falco on working with James Gandolfini ("Tony Soprano") on The Sopranos and the relationship between "Tony" and "Carmela"
Edie Falco on the tribute to James Gandolfini that she presented at the Emmys in 2013
Robert Iler
Edie Falco on working with Robert Iler ("A.J. Soprano") and Jamie-Lynn Sigler ("Meadow Soprano") on The Sopranos
Michael Imperioli
Edie Falco on working with Michael Imperioli ("Christopher Moltisanti") on The Sopranos
Nancy Marchand
Edie Falco on working with Nancy Marchand ("Livia Soprano") on The Sopranos
Jamie-Lynn Sigler
Edie Falco on working with Robert Iler ("A.J. Soprano") and Jamie-Lynn Sigler ("Meadow Soprano") on The Sopranos