‘Nonnas’ Star Lorraine Bracco Dishes Out Happiness Hacks: Gardening, Cooking for Loved Ones and More

Actress Lorraine Bracco — who you probably know as the tough-talking actress who starred on The Sopranos and Goodfellas — says she’s always counting her blessings.

“I’ve been through a lot of things in my life,” says the 70-year-old single mom who raised two daughters on her own. “I am a firm believer that everything will always work out in the end.”

The actress, who’s starring in a new Netflix movie called Nonnas, shares her secrets to living with joy and laughter.

Get An Easy Beauty Routine

The actress says she doesn’t do anything difficult or that gobbles her time to stay gorgeous. “I wash my face at night with a Bobbi Brown oil cleanser, brush my teeth with Listerine toothpaste and put on moisturizer, and I’m done.” She’s also decided not to color her gray hair, adding, “I love not having to spend hours in the salon.”

Walk A Lot

“I used to practice Shotokan karate years ago, but now I opt for long walks outside. I have a step counter on my phone so I can see my steps. At 70, you get to be achy sometimes, but I still want to do things and walking feels great.”

Be Confident In Your Abilities

“I love my work,” says Lorraine, “but for me, the true measure of success is my family — my daughters, my grandchildren. As a single mom, I focused on putting a roof over their heads, clothing them, feeding them and educating them. That was a full-time job with a lot of responsibility, but it made me a stronger, more resilient person. We have to keep reminding ourselves of the things we are grateful for, and it all balances everything out.”

Garden

“I pick fresh basil, rosemary and thyme from my herb garden every morning. I love cooking with them and also getting my hands a little dirty — it’s relaxing in a way. I also grow cucumbers, Japanese eggplant, zucchini and so much more.”

Cook

“There’s nothing more pleasurable than making the people I love delicious food. I guess I’m a nurturer, so one of the things that makes me happiest is when someone comes to visit and I can feed them dinner, enjoy their company and they tell me they feel at home.”

Have Fun

“My mantra is ‘Have more fun.’ My life is simple: I love waking up in the morning with the sunrise, savoring a good cup of coffee, spending time with my two dogs and I’m addicted to old black-and-white movies.”