The Nonnas Film Cast: Where Are The Hollywood Legends Now? (Updated December 2025)

The new Netflix film Nonnas has quickly become a must-watch, not just for its heartwarming true story, but for assembling an all-star cast of Hollywood legends. Released in late 2025, this biographical comedy-drama brings together a powerhouse ensemble, led by Vince Vaughn and four iconic actresses who portray the titular grandmothers, or 'Nonnas,' whose culinary expertise forms the heart of the movie. This article provides the most current, in-depth look at the cast, their characters, and the incredible careers that led them to this charming project.

The film is inspired by the real-life story of Joe Scaravella, the owner of Enoteca Maria in Staten Island, New York, who decided to staff his Italian restaurant exclusively with grandmothers from around the world. The cast’s chemistry and individual star power are what elevate this feel-good story into a cinematic event, making it one of the most talked-about streaming releases of the year.

The Star-Studded Cast and Their Iconic Biographies

The success of Nonnas hinges on the perfect blend of comedic timing and dramatic depth, a balance achieved by its principal actors. This film serves as a testament to the enduring talent of its veteran actresses, many of whom are Oscar and Emmy winners or nominees. Here is a complete profile of the main cast members and their celebrated careers.

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Vince Vaughn as Joe Scaravella

• Full Name: Vincent Anthony Vaughn
• Born: March 28, 1970 (Minneapolis, Minnesota)
• Role in Nonnas: Joe Scaravella, the down-on-his-luck chef who risks everything to open a restaurant staffed by grandmothers to honor his late mother.
• Career Highlights: Vaughn is best known for his sardonic and affable style in numerous comedy films. His breakthrough came with Swingers (1996), followed by major roles in Wedding Crashers (2005), DodgeBall: A True Underdog Story (2004), and the dramatic turn in the second season of HBO's True Detective.
• Significance: Vaughn's casting grounds the film, providing the comedic anchor and emotional center as the man determined to keep his mother’s spirit alive through food.

Susan Sarandon as Gia

• Full Name: Susan Abigail Sarandon (née Tomalin)
• Born: October 7, 1946 (Jackson Heights, New York)
• Role in Nonnas: Gia, one of the four principal grandmothers, bringing her formidable dramatic presence to the kitchen.
• Career Highlights: Sarandon is an Academy Award-winning actress (Best Actress for Dead Man Walking, 1995) with a career spanning over five decades. Her most iconic roles include Janet Weiss in The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), Louise in Thelma & Louise (1991), and her Oscar-nominated performance in Atlantic City (1981).
• Significance: Her portrayal of Gia is a key draw, adding gravitas and star power to the ensemble of Nonnas.

Lorraine Bracco as Roberta

• Full Name: Lorraine Bracco
• Born: October 2, 1954 (Bay Ridge, New York)
• Role in Nonnas: Roberta, another of the Nonnas, a role that perfectly leverages her strong, New York-Italian persona.
• Career Highlights: Bracco is instantly recognizable for her Emmy-nominated role as Dr. Jennifer Melfi, the psychiatrist to Tony Soprano, in the iconic HBO series The Sopranos (1999–2007). She also received an Academy Award nomination for her role as Karen Hill in Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas (1990).
• Significance: Her presence provides a nostalgic nod to her famous mob-related roles, bringing a familiar, beloved energy to the screen.

Talia Shire as Teresa

• Full Name: Talia Rose Shire (née Coppola)
• Born: April 25, 1946 (Lake Success, New York)
• Role in Nonnas: Teresa, one of the grandmothers, continuing her legacy of portraying deeply emotional and supportive Italian-American women.
• Career Highlights: Shire is a member of the legendary Coppola family and is best known for two of the most celebrated film franchises in history: her Oscar-nominated role as Connie Corleone in The Godfather trilogy (1972–1990) and as Adrian Balboa, the wife of Rocky, in the Rocky film series (1976–1990).
• Significance: Shire’s involvement bridges classic Hollywood drama with this modern, feel-good story, adding an element of cinematic royalty.

Brenda Vaccaro as Nonna (Character Name Not Widely Specified)

• Full Name: Brenda Buell Vaccaro
• Born: November 18, 1939 (Brooklyn, New York)
• Role in Nonnas: One of the four main Nonnas, lending her decades of experience to the ensemble.
• Career Highlights: Vaccaro is a veteran actress of stage, film, and television with a career spanning over half a century. She received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role in Midnight Cowboy (1969). She is also a Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner, with multiple Tony Award nominations for her stage work.
• Significance: Her inclusion rounds out the quartet of grandmothers with another highly decorated and respected performer.

The True Story Behind the Film: Enoteca Maria and Joe Scaravella

The film’s incredible premise—a restaurant run exclusively by grandmothers—is not a Hollywood invention. It is based on the remarkable true story of Enoteca Maria, a restaurant in Staten Island, New York.

The real Joe Scaravella opened the restaurant with a mission: to honor his late mother and keep the tradition of home-cooked, authentic Italian cuisine alive.

Instead of hiring professional chefs, Scaravella sought out actual grandmothers, or 'Nonnas,' from various regions of Italy and eventually from around the world. Each Nonna brought her own family recipes, ensuring the menu was constantly changing and always deeply personal.

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This unique concept turned Enoteca Maria into a global phenomenon, attracting media attention and food lovers eager to taste genuine, grandmother-approved cooking. The film, directed by Stephen Chbosky (known for The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Wonder), captures the spirit of this enterprise, focusing on Joe’s emotional journey and the lively, often hilarious, interactions among the grandmothers.

Why This Film is a Topical Authority in Feel-Good Cinema

Nonnas is more than just a comedy-drama; it’s a masterclass in topical authority, blending high-caliber acting with a deeply resonant cultural theme. The film taps into several powerful, universal sentiments.

The Power of Heritage and Food

The movie’s core theme—the preservation of culinary heritage—resonates strongly with audiences globally. Food, particularly the food of one’s grandmother, is a powerful symbol of love, family, and tradition. The film’s focus on authentic, regional cooking elevates it beyond simple entertainment and into a celebration of cultural roots.

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A Showcase of Veteran Female Talent

In an industry often criticized for overlooking older actresses, Nonnas provides a phenomenal platform for four legends: Susan Sarandon, Lorraine Bracco, Talia Shire, and Brenda Vaccaro. Their combined experience and awards—including an Oscar, multiple Golden Globes, and Emmy wins—lend immediate credibility and gravitas to the project.

The dynamic between these 'Nonnas' is the film’s secret ingredient, showcasing the vibrant, often feisty, personalities that come with decades of life experience.

LSI Keywords and Topical Entities in the Film

The film’s script and marketing successfully incorporate a wide range of LSI (Latent Semantic Indexing) keywords and entities, naturally building its topical authority:

• Cultural Entities: Enoteca Maria, Staten Island, Italian-American culture, regional Italian cuisine.
• Filmmaking Entities: Stephen Chbosky (Director), Liz Maccie (Writer), Netflix original film, biographical comedy-drama.
• Thematic Entities: True story film, culinary heritage, family restaurant, grandmothers as chefs, the power of tradition.

The Legacy of the Nonnas Cast: From Rocky to The Sopranos

What makes the Nonnas cast so compelling is the weight of their previous work. For fans, seeing Lorraine Bracco (Dr. Melfi from The Sopranos) and Talia Shire (Adrian from Rocky) together on screen is a cinematic treat. Both actresses are synonymous with iconic Italian-American stories, and their presence in a film about a Staten Island Italian restaurant feels like a perfect, full-circle moment.

Susan Sarandon and Brenda Vaccaro, with their extensive backgrounds in both drama and comedy, ensure that the emotional beats land just as well as the humorous ones. This film is a testament to the fact that talent and star power only grow stronger with time, making the Nonnas cast a truly legendary ensemble.

If you're looking for a film that combines a genuine, feel-good true story with some of the most recognizable and beloved faces in Hollywood, Nonnas on Netflix is the perfect watch. The chemistry between Vince Vaughn and his quartet of legendary grandmothers is infectious, proving that the best recipes—and the best stories—are those passed down through generations.