This actress was married twice, welcoming her first child during her first marriage. When she remarried, her second husband passed away, leaving her with five children, including his two kids, to raise as a single parent.
Before having five children under her care, the actress appeared in some of the most iconic movies of the 1970s. Let’s explore her journey in the entertainment industry which earned her legendary status before she lost her husband and became a single mother.
The actress in her younger years circa 1975 | Source: Getty Images
The Actress’ Debut Into the Limelight
Born on April 25, 1946, on Long Island, New York, this actress was the third and youngest child of orchestra conductor Carmine and his wife Italia Coppola. Growing up passionate about the arts, she attended the Yale Drama School and studied with acting guru Stella Adler in New York during the 1960s.
She made her acting debut in 1968’s “The Young Racers” and appeared in several other low-budget films into the early 1970s. On March 29, 1970, she married composer David Shire and welcomed her first child.
Before famously starring in “The Godfather,” the actress begged the director and her older brother, Francis Ford Coppola, to let her audition. She was so nervous that she didn’t sleep the night before.
Looking back, she realized she should have been more sensitive when making such a request because it was her brother’s job at risk. She admitted she didn’t even know what a “mark” was, revealing how drama school never taught her that.
The star waiting to film “Old Boyfriends” in Los Angeles, California, on April 19, 1978 | Source: Getty Images
The star did not want to jeopardize the opportunity and felt she probably should not have been in the movie. Reflecting on the situation, she stated, “It was probably very hard on him,” especially because of how clumsy she is.
The celebrity revealed she is so clumsy that she can’t parallel park without denting everything around her. She recalled an incident that perfectly captured her clumsiness. During one of her first scenes in the film: “I came down the stairway and literally walked into the camera,” she said.
The actress during Sylvester Stallone’s 45th Birthday Party in Beverly Hills, California, on July 8, 1991 | Source: Getty Images
Although she felt embarrassed being the director’s sister, co-star Marlon Brando understood and came over and held her. The star later became known not only for her role in Coppola’s film but also for starring in “Rocky” across five of the franchise’s six installments and in “The Godfather: Part II.”
She earned Oscar nominations for both films and attended the award ceremony for “The Godfather: Part II” while pregnant with her son, Matthew Shire. Later, she moved behind the camera to direct “One Night Stand.”
Sylvester Stallone and the actress on the set of “Rocky V” in an undated photo | Source: Getty Images
At one point, she stepped away from acting, describing herself as “living off to the side,” with fame not being her “thing.” She and her second husband, Jack Schwartzman, founded a production company where they financed and shot several movies.
Ironically, she found herself more interested in the writing and distribution aspects of filmmaking during that time. Regarding fame, she described herself as “lucky” for landing “Rocky” and overcoming the nepotism stigma.
Sylvester Stallone, the actress, and their onscreen dog, Butkus, on the set of the “Rocky II” in Philadelphia in 1979 | Source: Getty Images
Although she was grateful for “The Godfather” role, the actress confessed it was not what she was seeking. She eventually returned to acting after receiving an offer she could not refuse. In a 2017 interview, she explained that she became interested in “Kingdom” Season 3 because it was “immensely creative.”
She said, “I was not focused on [acting]. I was looking at other things, like producing. I had drifted off from acting a long, long time ago — many, many years ago.” What rekindled her passion for acting was starring in her son Robert Schwartzman’s film, “Dreamland.”
The celebrity at Planet Hollywood at the V.S.D.A. Dallas convention on May 23, 1995 | Source: Getty Images
Reflecting on the experience, she stated, “If you can get through your son directing you, you go through,” adding, “I had a ball doing it, [but] that’s the hardest thing to do: to work for a child.” She discovered “Kingdom” on her own by watching the series, became a fan, and later received an offer through her agent.
Explaining what drew her to the show, she said, “I’m always excited when I find ensemble work that’s very interesting.” She acknowledged how demanding such shows are because they are “very physical” and “require huge commitment by a lot of actors.”
The actress shared that her co-star, Jonathan Tucker, showed immense dedication to his role by spending two hours in makeup to achieve his look. She said, “His wounds, his tattoos — well, that’s just an amazing thing when you think about it. [These actors] have to sit there and endure that.”
The series reminded her a bit of her “Rocky” days. However, as her career progressed, she faced the painful loss of many people, including the father of her children.
The star with Sylvestor Stallone during a press conference for “Rocky III” in Los Angeles, California, on March 27, 1981 | Source: Getty Images
The Star’s Many Losses and Becoming a Single Mother
The actress’ second husband, born on July 22, 1932, in New York City, was a fellow actor, producer, and crew member. Jack gained recognition for “Being There” (1979), “Never Say Never Again” (1983), and “CBS Summer Playhouse” (1987).
He married the “Rocky” actress on August 23, 1980, and together they welcomed two children. However, she was left to raise them alone when Jack passed away on June 15, 1994, at the age of 61 in Los Angeles, California.