Lorraine Bracco shares true story that inspired Netflix's upcoming 'Nonnas'
Lorraine Bracco has brought a real-life story to screens with Nonnas, the new Netflix film premiering Friday.
Speaking on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, the actor revealed that the movie is based on the true events of a Staten Island man who turned grief into purpose by opening a restaurant run entirely by grandmothers.
The story follows Joe, who, after losing both his mother and grandmother, decided to honour them by creating a place filled with the love and food he grew up with. Lacking any restaurant experience, he placed an ad in an Italian newspaper calling for 'nonnas' who wanted to cook. The result was an authentic dining experience that captured hearts and grew into a wider community known as 'Nonnas of the World.'
Bracco explained, 'He wanted all nonnas, all grandmas, to come and do their authentic cooking,' noting how applicants brought their dishes to be considered for a place in the kitchen. The restaurant soon gained a loyal following, a cookbook followed, and today it includes grandmothers from around the globe—Italian, Japanese, Polish, and more—sharing cultural recipes and stories.
Nonnas marks Bracco's first comedy after a career defined by serious roles in Goodfellas and The Sopranos. 'I was really nervous,' she admitted, recalling how Vince Vaughn and director Stephen Chbosky reassured her during filming.
The cast includes Vaughn, Joe Manganiello, Brenda Vaccaro, Talia Shire, and Susan Sarandon, offering a dynamic mix of emotion and humour.
Nonnas streams on Netflix from May 9
.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
12 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Khaby Lame deported from US under Trump immigration crackdown, resurfaces in Italy with social media update
TikTok star Khaby Lame has reappeared on social media days after being swept up in former President Donald Trump's intensified immigration enforcement campaign. Lame, 25, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on June 6 at Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas for overstaying his visa. He had arrived in the United States on April 30. ICE, in an official statement, confirmed: 'Seringe Khabane Lame, 25, a citizen of Italy, was detained… for immigration violations.' The agency noted that Lame was granted 'voluntary departure' and has since left the country. Now back in Italy, the Senegal-born content creator resumed posting on Instagram, sharing serene images of himself walking along a leafy Italian street and posing with Brazilian soccer player Emerson Royal, who plays for AC Milan. One post featured an image of Venice Beach paired with 2Pac's 'Keep Ya Head Up,' suggesting a reflective farewell to the U.S. Lame's deportation ignited debate across social media, with critics questioning the rationale behind detaining an Italian citizen known for his global popularity and commercial partnerships. Lame, who boasts over 162 million TikTok followers, has worked with major brands like Doritos, Boss, and Binance. His rise to fame began during the pandemic, when his silent reaction videos mocking overly complex 'life hacks' went viral. In 2022, following public pressure, Italy formally granted Lame citizenship. Since then, he has walked the Milan Fashion Week runway, attended the Met Gala, and served as assistant coach at the NBA All-Star Celebrity Game. Though he has yet to issue a public statement about the incident, Lame's signature shrug — and silence — appear to say it all. His name no longer appears in ICE's detainee database.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
TikTok star Khaby Lame detained in US over visa violation
Lame rose to fame in 2020 after losing his job in a factory during the Covid-19 pandemic. PHOTO: FILE Listen to article Khaby Lame, the world's most-followed TikTok creator, was briefly detained by US immigration officials in Las Vegas last Friday for overstaying his visa, according to a statement from US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Lame, 25, who holds Italian citizenship and was born in Senegal, had arrived in the United States on April 30 to attend the Met Gala on May 5. He was detained on June 6 at Harry Reid International Airport while attempting to leave the country. ICE confirmed he had violated immigration terms but was released the same day and has since departed the US. Despite boasting over 162 million followers and 2.5 billion likes on TikTok, the social media star faced the same legal scrutiny as any other traveler. Lame has not publicly commented on the incident but appeared unfazed, posting a new promotional video just a day later. Lame rose to fame in 2020 after losing his job in a factory during the Covid-19 pandemic. Known for his signature silent reactions and comedic simplicity, he quickly became a global sensation. In past interviews, Lame credited his expressive, wordless style as the reason his content resonates across languages and cultures. His recent detainment is seen by many as a brief hiccup in an otherwise meteoric rise from factory worker to global digital boasting over 162 million followers and 2.5 billion likes on TikTok, the social media star faced the same legal scrutiny as any other traveler. Lame has not publicly commented on the incident but appeared unfazed, posting a new promotional video just a day later. Lame rose to fame in 2020 after losing his job in a factory during the Covid-19 pandemic. Known for his signature silent reactions and comedic simplicity, he quickly became a global sensation. In past interviews, Lame credited his expressive, wordless style as the reason his content resonates across languages and cultures. His recent detainment is seen by many as a brief hiccup in an otherwise meteoric rise from factory worker to global digital icon.
Business Recorder
2 days ago
- Business Recorder
‘Stranger Things' play wins Tony Awards, setting stage for TV series finale
NEW YORK: With bloody body contortions, booming blasts and brooding high school angst, 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow,' based on the 12-time Emmy-winning Netflix science fiction series 'Stranger Things,' took home Tony Awards on Sunday for best scenic design, lighting design and sound design of a play along with a special award for its illusions and technical effects. Miriam Buether, the scenic designer for 'Stranger Things: The First Shadow' reflected on the journey of creating frightening moments on stage. 'We love scaring people,' she said backstage at the ceremony hosted by 'Wicked' film star Cynthia Erivo. The play, directed by Stephen Daldry, was nominated for five Tony Awards in total, including best performance by an actor in a leading role in a play for Louis McCartney for his performance as Henry Creel, the younger version of the main antagonist of the 'Stranger Things' series who is later called Vecna. 'Stranger Things: First Shadow' is one of the expansions of the 'Stranger Things' universe created by brothers Matt and Ross Duffer, who announced the launch of Upside Down Pictures in 2022, marking an overall deal with Netflix that will also include a live-action Stranger Things spin-off series. The series has spawned video games, cosplay, in-person immersive experiences and merchandise licensing deals, including the January 2025 deal with the company behind the popular Squishmallow plush toys. Last month, at Netflix's globally livestreamed fan event called 'Tudum Live,' it was announced that the 'Stranger Things' TV series would have a fifth and final season split into three parts, with part one on November 26, 2025, part two on December 25, 2025 and the series finale on December 31, 2025. The final season of 'Stranger Things' was delayed by dual Hollywood strikes in 2023. Trump-inspired Cantonese opera in Hong Kong aims to bring love and peace 'Stranger Things,' the story of a group of adolescent friends in rural Indiana in the 1980s who battle creatures from an alternate dimension called the 'Upside Down,' premiered on Netflix in 2016 and became a smash hit created by the Duffer brothers for the streaming platform. The play, produced by the Duffer brothers, takes audiences back in time to 1959, two decades before the period explored in the TV show. Jim Hopper and Joyce Maldonado - adult characters in the TV show - are seen as high school classmates with normal teen concerns about cars and classes until a new student named Henry arrives. Henry Creel is an odd and troubled boy that holds the future of the small town of Hawkins, Indiana in his hands. The New York cast includes 'Harlem' actor Burke Swanson as Jim Hopper, 'Shameless' actor Alison Jaye as Joyce Maldonado and McCartney as Henry Creel, who reprised his role after being in the London production. The monster-filled play debuted in London in 2023 at the Phoenix Theatre and made its New York Broadway debut in March 2025 at the Marquis Theatre.
