Movies

Sopranos star reveals mental health issues almost ‘destroyed’ his life

BBG News

An actor from The Sopranos has disclosed that battles with mental health almost ruined his personal life and family.

73-year-old actor Joe Pantoliano, one of the numerous high-profile figures in Hollywood contemplating relocation, opened up about battling clinical depression for close to a decade without an initial diagnosis.

To alleviate his ailments, the actor, famously known for portraying Ralph Cifaretto in the Emmy-winning crime drama, admitted to self-treating what he referred to as his “seven serious afflictions,” according to Page Six.

The actor stated to the media on Thursday: “Whatever alcohol was at hand, questionable actions with women, often impulsive and acting without thinking ahead.

As a die-hard Goonies enthusiast, I’ve always admired the talent that one of its stars possesses. However, it’s heartbreaking to learn that he confessed to being in turmoil for quite some time. He traced some of his struggles back to his upbringing, where he had a mom grappling with mental health issues, too.

‘My wife [actress Nancy Sheppard] and my kids were ready to throw me out,’ he said.

‘The only people who were happy to see me weren’t people. They were my dogs.’ the actor recalled. 

The actor from “The Last of Us,” now appearing in the play “Ginger Twinsies” off-Broadway, has expressed gratitude towards his dogs for playing a role in helping him survive.

In my own words, I’d say, “There was just one ember left within me, like Tinkerbell with her fading magic. That’s how I felt.” This phrase conveys the idea of a dwindling source of inspiration or energy, and the struggle to maintain it.

Pantoliano finally received a diagnosis in 2007.

Two years on, I stumbled upon a remarkable group called “No Kidding, Me Too!” This incredible organization is dedicated to erasing the stigma associated with mental health battles – a cause that’s close to my heart as an ardent advocate.

‘We’ve done such a great job,’ he said.

In his words, our goal with the campaign ‘No Kidding, Me Too!’ was to make conversations about mental health relevant and fashionable. He further stated that we’ve accomplished this objective, as it’s no longer a topic people are hesitant to discuss.

Following the closing of his show on October 26, Pantoliano and his spouse might decide to pack up and relocate to Europe due to the ongoing political turmoil in the U.S.

Speaking about trivial matters like creating a TV show feels challenging right now, given the state of the world that’s ablaze. It’s difficult for me to focus,” expressed Pantoliano.

In a recently shared post on social networking sites, he informed his followers that he and Nancy had stayed in Portugal for about two weeks.

Instead, we seriously considered applying for visas to allow us to reside there for a significant portion, if not all, of our time.

He mentioned that it’s an ideal location for retirement, explaining, “It fits me perfectly. I adore taking leisurely strolls and the scenery there is breathtaking.

Several well-known figures, including Rosie O’Donnell, Ellen DeGeneres and her spouse Portia de Rossi, fashion designer Tom Ford, as well as Ryan Gosling and his companion Eva Mendes, have chosen to reside overseas.

Read More

2025-07-28 01:33

Previous post Tom Lehrer, musical satirist, dies at 97
Next post Bitcoin to $1M: The Snail’s Race to Riches 🤑