This iconic dinner scene in Goodfellas was almost completely improvised. Scorsese cast his own mother, Catherine Scorsese, to play the mother and gave her just one direction: “Act motherly.” Her natural performance and authentic Italian-American presence bring warmth and humor, making the family moments feel incredibly real. Goodfellas is a masterpiece of storytelling, blending the intensity of mob life with rich, lived-in details like this. Scenes like this show Scorsese’s genius for capturing
1:35
This iconic dinner scene in Goodfellas was almost completely improvised. Scorsese cast his own mother, Catherine Scorsese, to play the mother and gave her just one direction: “Act motherly.” Her natural performance and authentic Italian-American presence bring warmth and humor, making the family moments feel incredibly real. Goodfellas is a masterpiece of storytelling, blending the intensity of mob life with rich, lived-in details like this. Scenes like this show Scorsese’s genius for capturing
348.9K views5 months ago
FacebookThe Cinema Nerd
The mother of Martin Scorsese, Catherine Scorsese, plays numerous roles in his films. Great work by both of them. 🔥❤️ #movie #documentary #goodfellas #fyp #follow ##hollywood
0:59
The mother of Martin Scorsese, Catherine Scorsese, plays numerous roles in his films. Great work by both of them. 🔥❤️ #movie #documentary #goodfellas #fyp #follow ##hollywood
7.1K viewsSep 3, 2023
TikTokmob_connect_4700
The Studio — Official Trailer | Apple TV
2:23
The Studio — Official Trailer | Apple TV
9M viewsMar 7, 2025
YouTubeApple TV
KinoTwist on Instagram: "You’re watching one of the most improvised scenes in film history. 🍝 In Goodfellas (1990), Martin Scorsese cast his real-life mother, Catherine Scorsese, as Tommy’s mom — and gave her no script. He simply told her to “act motherly.” The result? She improvised the entire 2 a.m. dinner scene, talking about paintings and food while Pesci, De Niro, and Liotta riffed with her in character. It wasn’t just convincing — it was real. And it became one of the most unexpectedly wa
0:55
KinoTwist on Instagram: "You’re watching one of the most improvised scenes in film history. 🍝 In Goodfellas (1990), Martin Scorsese cast his real-life mother, Catherine Scorsese, as Tommy’s mom — and gave her no script. He simply told her to “act motherly.” The result? She improvised the entire 2 a.m. dinner scene, talking about paintings and food while Pesci, De Niro, and Liotta riffed with her in character. It wasn’t just convincing — it was real. And it became one of the most unexpectedly wa
364.3K views10 months ago
Instagramkinotwist_
NewYork Italian on Instagram: "CATHERINE SCORSESE making SUNDAY SAUCE (Gravy) and talking about MEATBALLS Any THOUGHTS ? For those who might not know, Catherine is the mother of famed New York Italian-American film director Martin Scorsese. This clip was from one of his earliest films - “ITALIAN AMERICAN” documenting the lives of his Italian American parents Catherine & Charles Scorsese and their New York Sicilian-American lives living on Elizabeth Street in lower Manhattan. Marty ask questions
0:25
NewYork Italian on Instagram: "CATHERINE SCORSESE making SUNDAY SAUCE (Gravy) and talking about MEATBALLS Any THOUGHTS ? For those who might not know, Catherine is the mother of famed New York Italian-American film director Martin Scorsese. This clip was from one of his earliest films - “ITALIAN AMERICAN” documenting the lives of his Italian American parents Catherine & Charles Scorsese and their New York Sicilian-American lives living on Elizabeth Street in lower Manhattan. Marty ask questions
296K views5 months ago
Instagramnewyork.italian
Martin Scorsese and His Parents in ITALIANAMERICAN (1974)
2:03
Martin Scorsese and His Parents in ITALIANAMERICAN (1974)
201.3K views8 months ago
YouTubeCRITERION
Third Ocean on Instagram: "Catherine Scorsese appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman in November 1991 to make pizza while her son Martin promoted Cape Fear. Bill Murray joined them to taste the finished product. Catherine appeared in nine of her son's films, beginning with his 1964 short "It's Not Just You, Murray!" and ending with Casino in 1995 at age 83. She published her cookbook, Italianamerican: The Scorsese Family Cookbook, just two months before her death in 1997. She often cooke
2:15
Third Ocean on Instagram: "Catherine Scorsese appeared on The Late Show with David Letterman in November 1991 to make pizza while her son Martin promoted Cape Fear. Bill Murray joined them to taste the finished product. Catherine appeared in nine of her son's films, beginning with his 1964 short "It's Not Just You, Murray!" and ending with Casino in 1995 at age 83. She published her cookbook, Italianamerican: The Scorsese Family Cookbook, just two months before her death in 1997. She often cooke
156K views5 months ago
Instagramthird_ocean
0:07
Martin Scorsese’s secret weapon: his Mom’s warmth on set
72.5K views11 months ago
YouTubeReal Facts
0:38
The real star of #goodfellas #casino #italianamerican - all #scorsese ‘s movies? Catherine Scorsese
22.4K views4 months ago
YouTubeActressing Watch Club
1:08
In the 1974 documentary Italianamerican, director Martin Scorsese interviews his parents, Catherine and Charles Scorsese, in their New York City apartment about their experiences as second-generation immigrants from Sicily. The film is a personal and intimate look at family history, the immigrant experience, and Italian-American identity. Credit: @martinscorsese_ | History In Pictures
18.8K views7 months ago
FacebookHistory In Pictures
2:16
🚩 CATHERINE SCORSESE - GOODFELLAS
15.8K viewsJan 6, 2022
YouTubeDarwin Pictures
7:31
Catherine Scorsese's "The Sauce" with Recipe (filmed by Martin Scorsese!)
91.6K viewsDec 28, 2016
YouTubeGionoYT
49:10
Martin Scorsese interviews his parents (1974)
8.7K viewsJan 11, 2020
YouTubeTom C
1:30
Catherine Scorsese's Goodfellas Meatballs Recipe
9.4K viewsAug 24, 2016
YouTubeACMI – Your museum of screen culture
0:25
NewYork Italian on Instagram: "CATHERINE SCORSESE Makes MEATBALLS In “”ITALIAN AMERICA” a documentary Film made by her son Martin Scorsese Filmed on location, in the apartment of Catherine & Charles Scorsese, Elizabeth Street, New York NY #ItalianAmerican #NewYork #Italian #NewYorkActor s #NewYorkFilm #Meatballs #ItalianFood #NewYorkItalian"
57.3K views9 months ago
Instagramnewyork.italian
0:40
Scorsese tricked his OWN MOTHER for this Goodfellas (1990) scene
21.3K viewsJun 1, 2025
YouTubeScene This Before
3:14
How Scorsese Moves the Camera With Purpose in ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ | Anatomy of a Scene
154.4K viewsFeb 16, 2024
YouTubeThe New York Times
2:36
After Hours (1985) - Phone Call Scene (8/9) | Movieclips
Trailer
90.3K viewsApr 26, 2017
YouTubeMovieclips
49:32
Italianamerican (1974)
11K viewsFeb 24, 2021
YouTubeCaio Machado
0:20
Did you know? In the movie, Goodfellas, Catherine Scorsese, the real-life mother of director Martin Scorsese, played Tommy's mother! She improvised most of her famous late-night kitchen scene, including her dialogue and reactions.
156 views4 months ago
TikTokthezwebenteam
8:02
Linguine with Canned Clams by Pasquale Sciarappa
446.9K viewsFeb 11, 2024
YouTubeOrsaraRecipes
1:30
History Clips Only on Instagram: "Martin Scorsese sits with his parents, Charles and Catherine, inside their modest New York apartment, letting the camera capture unfiltered family stories. Conversations drift between food, immigration, marriage, and everyday struggles, revealing warmth, humor, and tradition through simple moments that feel intimate, unscripted, and deeply human on screen together naturally. The film quietly preserves a disappearing generation, showing how memory, culture, and i
24.2K views5 months ago
Instagramhistoryclipsonly
1:12
Catherine Scorsese, Martin Scorsese’s mom, was a secret ingredient Marty had to make his movies special(er) 🎞️💋 #martinscorsese #scorsese #mom #film #history
432 views5 months ago
TikTokthem_fatale93
9:26
Dave Cooks With Martin Scorsese And His Mother | Letterman
91.5K viewsOct 20, 2023
YouTubeLetterman
0:12
The Great Catherine O’Hara in After Hours #afterhours #catherineohara
27.9K views4 months ago
YouTubeMovieDaily
Italianamerican - The Criterion Channel
Jun 1, 2020
criterionchannel.com
0:22
The iconic dinner scene featuring Tommy's mother, played by director Martin Scorsese's own mother, Catherine Scorsese, was almost entirely improvised. To get a genuine reaction, Scorsese simply told his mother to cook dinner for her son and his friends, never revealing that her character's son had just committed a murder and had a body in the car trunk. For further authenticity, the painting brought out by Joe Pesci's character's mother was an original piece by Nicholas Pileggi's (author of the
136 views8 months ago
FacebookJust Watch
0:19
Best acting in Casino (1995)
108.4K viewsMar 25, 2023
YouTubeJan Horčička
9:56
Italianamerican - Martin Scorsese 3/5
52.2K viewsAug 13, 2008
YouTubegulleyjimson
10:02
Italianamerican - Martin Scorsese 1/5
173K viewsAug 13, 2008
YouTubegulleyjimson
0:36
Scorsese Put His Real Mom and Dad in Goodfellas! #shorts
8.5K views11 months ago
YouTubeThe Godfather
0:13
Martin Scorsese often included his mother, Catherine, in his films, where she typically played the main character’s mom. Appearing in classics like Goodfellas, Casino, and Mean Streets, she brought an authenticity that made her scenes unforgettable. Scorsese once said he gave her very little direction, simply telling her to “act motherly,” which made her performances feel natural and full of warmth. Beyond her time on camera, Catherine was known for cooking homemade Italian meals for the cast an
1.4K views8 months ago
TikTokorbis_7
0:10
Behind the Scenes of Goodfellas 1990 with Martin Scorsese and his Mother
12.1K viewsAug 29, 2021
TikTokguidofella
20:20
Roy Blount Jr., Bill Murray, Martin & Mom Scorsese on Letterman, Nov. 22, 1991
152.9K viewsNov 24, 2018
YouTubeDon Giller
3:47
Dinner at mother's house - Goodfellas (1990)
939.4K viewsNov 22, 2016
YouTubeWhyIsKenYELLING
2:19
MARTIN SCORSESE and his mother - Catherine - cooking up a storm on Letterman.
19.7K viewsMay 3, 2023
TikTokalltherightmovies
0:56
You're watching one of the most improvised scenes in film history. Scorsese cast his real-life mother Catherine Scorsese as Tommy’s mom. He gave her no script and told her to “act motherly.” She came up with the 2am dinner idea, making it one of the most authentic scenes caught on tape. ⁠ ⁠ 🎥 Goodfellas (1990)⁠ 📆 August 1-7 | The Beverly Theater
3.2K views11 months ago
FacebookThe Beverly Theater
1:36
Nicolette Visits Adeline - Scene | American Horror Story: Delicate Part Two | FX
24.7K viewsApr 23, 2024
YouTubeFX Networks
0:42
Movies on Instagram: "Martin Scorsese’s mother, Catherine Scorsese, portrayed Tommy DeVito’s mother in Goodfellas (1990). Notably, she prepared the entire dinner herself for this scene. In fact, whenever characters in Scorsese’s films are having Italian food, it’s actually *HER* Italian food. Her inclusion adds a personal touch to the films, reflecting Scorsese’s emphasis on realism and family connections. 🇮🇹🍝"
984.7K viewsFeb 9, 2024
Instagramfuckinggoodmovies
Martin Scorsese Remembers Catherine O’Hara: ‘A True Artist, and a Wonderful Human Being’
4 months ago
indiewire.com
0:05
Why Did Scorsese Put His Mom in Goodfellas?
47.7K views9 months ago
YouTubeCELEBRITY STYLE
0:39
robert de niro everyday on Instagram: "Martin Scorsese's mother, Catherine Scorsese, portrayed Tommy DeVito's mother in Goodfellas (1990). Notably, she prepared the entire dinner herself for this scene. In fact, whenever characters in Scorsese's films are having Italian food, it's actually *HER* Italian food. Her inclusion adds a personal touch to the films, reflecting Scorsese's emphasis on realism and family connections.🇮🇹🍝 Follow: @robert_de_niro_offical #robert_de_niro_official #martinsco
143.2K viewsAug 8, 2024
Instagramrobert_de_niro_offical
0:25
NewYork Italian on Instagram: "Catherine Scorsese makes MEATBALLS How to Make MEATBALLS ! By Catherine Scorsese - Little Italy, New York #Meatballs #LittleItaly #NewYork #ItalianAmerican #NewYorkItalian"
1.4M viewsJun 4, 2024
Instagramnewyork.italian
0:26
Movies on Instagram: "Behind some of Martin Scorsese’s most iconic scenes was a woman who never trained as an actress. His mother: Catherine Scorsese. Born in 1912 to Sicilian immigrants in NYC, Catherine was a seamstress, a phenomenal cook, and the emotional heartbeat of Scorsese’s early life. She appeared in several of his films, most memorably in Goodfellas (1990) as Joe Pesci’s mom serving pasta in a scene that was almost entirely improvised. In Italian American (1974), a documentary Martin
1.1M viewsJun 13, 2025
Instagramfuckinggoodmovies
1:25:43
SCORSESE on Scorsese (TV) 2004 📽HD Sub.
13.6K viewsJun 25, 2022
YouTubejoucy
0:25
Catherine Scorsese's Authentic Meatball Recipe
296.5K viewsJun 6, 2024
TikTokthemafiablog
Italianamerican
Jun 1, 2020
criterionchannel.com
1:00
Martin Scorsese y su madre en el cine: un detrás de cámaras
1.1K viewsJul 10, 2023
TikTokrealmoviefreaks
2:17
In their Little Italy apartment and Mr & Mrs Scorsese talk with their son Martin about Italians arriving in the then Irish dominated neighborhood before Catherine Scorsese goes into the kitchen to stir her sauce.ITALIANAMERICAN (1974)Just wonderful.
48.6K views2 months ago
x.comMichael Warburton
4:25
Casino (1995) - Ginger's Mission in Life Was Money - CLIP HD
1.8M viewsSep 12, 2014
YouTubeCinemaClips
1:01
“Because, it’s made by me.” 👵🏻 Catherine Scorsese was truly one of a kind. 👌🏼 🎬The Late Show (1991) © CBS🍿 | Mafia Chronicles
162.6K viewsMar 13, 2022
FacebookMafia Chronicles
How Martin Scorsese's mother responded to ‘Mean Streets’
Aug 8, 2023
faroutmagazine.co.uk
1:17
Martin Scorsese's Daughter Sues Over Sci-Fi
Apr 25, 2013
TMZ
3:00
Goodfellas - Trailer - (1990) - HQ
Trailer
5.5M viewsFeb 17, 2009
YouTuberyy79
0:27
Behind some of Martin Scorsese’s most iconic scenes was a woman who never trained as an actress. His mother: Catherine Scorsese. Born in 1912 to Sicilian immigrants in NYC, Catherine was a seamstress, a phenomenal cook, and the emotional heartbeat of Scorsese’s early life. She appeared in several of his films, most memorably in Goodfellas (1990) as Joe Pesci’s mom serving pasta in a scene that was almost entirely improvised. In Italian American (1974), a documentary Martin made about his parents
63.6K viewsJun 13, 2025
FacebookFuckinggoodmovies
1:29
Catherine Scorsese, la madre de Martin Scorsese tuvo una aparición estelar en Goodfellas (1990)Scorsese le pidió que improvisara, que fuera ella misma en todo momento.El resultado fue una de las escenas más memorables de la película.
167.4K views4 months ago
x.comLugar Cinema🎬
Catherine Scorsese - Alchetron, The Free Social Encyclopedia
Nov 19, 2017
alchetron.com
16:25
Raging Bull (1980): 17 Crazy Facts They Never Wanted You To Know!
3 days ago
YouTubeFilmFactLab
0:53
Dan Aykroyd's Gut-Wrenching Eulogy For John Candy: "A Titan of a Golden, Gentle Man"
16.5K views1 week ago
YouTubeblind screen
See more
Static thumbnail place holder

Short videos

1:35
This iconic dinner scene in Goodfellas was almost completely improvised.
348.9K views5 months ago
FacebookThe Cinema Nerd
0:59
The mother of Martin Scorsese, Catherine Scorsese, plays numerous roles in his films.
7.1K viewsSep 3, 2023
TikTokmob_connect_4700
2:23
The Studio — Official Trailer | Apple TV
9M viewsMar 7, 2025
YouTubeApple TV
0:55
KinoTwist on Instagram: "You’re watching one of the most improvised scenes in film
364.3K views10 months ago
Instagramkinotwist_
0:25
NewYork Italian on Instagram: "CATHERINE SCORSESE making SUNDAY SAUCE
296K views5 months ago
Instagramnewyork.italian
2:03
Martin Scorsese and His Parents in ITALIANAMERICAN (1974)
201.3K views8 months ago
YouTubeCRITERION
2:15
Third Ocean on Instagram: "Catherine Scorsese appeared on The Late Show with David
156K views5 months ago
Instagramthird_ocean
0:07
Martin Scorsese’s secret weapon: his Mom’s warmth on set
72.5K views11 months ago
YouTubeReal Facts
0:38
The real star of #goodfellas #casino #italianamerican - all #scorsese ‘s movies?
22.4K views4 months ago
YouTubeActressing Watch Club
1:08
In the 1974 documentary Italianamerican, director Martin Scorsese interviews his
18.8K views7 months ago
FacebookHistory In Pictures
2:16
🚩 CATHERINE SCORSESE - GOODFELLAS
15.8K viewsJan 6, 2022
YouTubeDarwin Pictures
7:31
Catherine Scorsese's "The Sauce" with Recipe (filmed by Martin Scorsese!)
91.6K viewsDec 28, 2016
YouTubeGionoYT
49:10
Martin Scorsese interviews his parents (1974)
8.7K viewsJan 11, 2020
YouTubeTom C
1:30
Catherine Scorsese's Goodfellas Meatballs Recipe
9.4K viewsAug 24, 2016
YouTubeACMI – Your museum of
0:25
NewYork Italian on Instagram: "CATHERINE SCORSESE Makes MEATBALLS In
57.3K views9 months ago
Instagramnewyork.italian
0:40
Scorsese tricked his OWN MOTHER for this Goodfellas (1990) scene
21.3K viewsJun 1, 2025
YouTubeScene This Before
3:14
How Scorsese Moves the Camera With Purpose in ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ |
154.4K viewsFeb 16, 2024
YouTubeThe New York Times
2:36
After Hours (1985) - Phone Call Scene (8/9) | Movieclips
90.3K viewsApr 26, 2017
YouTubeMovieclips
49:32
Italianamerican (1974)
11K viewsFeb 24, 2021
YouTubeCaio Machado
0:20
Did you know? In the movie, Goodfellas, Catherine Scorsese, the real-life mother
156 views4 months ago
TikTokthezwebenteam
Static thumbnail place holder