Martin Scorsese Family Tree: The Story Behind The Departed's Director

Martin Charles Scorsese, born 17 November 1942 in New York City, USA, is a five-decade Hollywood director — 2007 Oscar winner for Best Director (The Departed), with iconic films Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Goodfellas, Casino, Gangs of New York, The Aviator, The Wolf of Wall Street, The Irishman, Killers of the Flower Moon.

The Family's Roots: Sicilian-American Little Italy

The Scorsese family is Sicilian-American, from the Italian neighborhoods of New York City.

His Parents

Father: Charles Scorsese (1913–1993) — Sicilian-American; clothes presser in the Garment District; later acted in his son's films.

Mother: Catherine Scorsese (née Cappa; 1912–1997) — Sicilian-American; seamstress; later acted in many of her son's films.

His Brother

Frank Scorsese, born 1936 — Martin's elder brother.

His Five Wives

  1. Laraine Marie Brennan (m. 1965, div. 1971)
  2. Julia Cameron (m. 1976, div. 1977)
  3. Isabella Rossellini (m. 1979, div. 1982)
  4. Barbara De Fina (m. 1985, div. 1991)
  5. Helen Morris (married July 1999 — Martin's current wife of 25+ years)

His Children

Catherine "Cathy" Scorsese, born 1965 — daughter (with Laraine Brennan); filmmaker.

Domenica Cameron-Scorsese, born 6 September 1976 — daughter (with Julia Cameron); actress and filmmaker.

Francesca Scorsese, born 1999 — daughter (with Helen Morris); actress (The Departed age 7); rising filmmaker.

The Scorsese Family Tree at a Glance

Family Origins: Sicilian-American Little Italy / Elizabeth Street, New York.

Father: Charles Scorsese (1913–1993) — clothes presser; on-screen actor in Martin's films.

Mother: Catherine Scorsese (1912–1997) — seamstress; on-screen actress in many films.

Brother: Frank Scorsese (b. 1936).

Wives: 1) Laraine Brennan (1965–71); 2) Julia Cameron (1976–77); 3) Isabella Rossellini (1979–82); 4) Barbara De Fina (1985–91); 5) Helen Morris (from July 1999).

Daughters: Cathy (b. 1965); Domenica (b. 1976); Francesca (b. 1999).

Martin Scorsese:

  • Born 17 November 1942, NYC
  • NYU film school (BA 1964, MFA 1968)
  • Mean Streets (1973); Taxi Driver (1976); Raging Bull (1980); The Color of Money (1986); The Last Temptation of Christ (1988); Goodfellas (1990); Cape Fear (1991); Casino (1995); Gangs of New York (2002); The Aviator (2004); The Departed (2006 — Oscar Best Director, Best Picture); Hugo (2011); The Wolf of Wall Street (2013); Silence (2016); The Irishman (2019); Killers of the Flower Moon (2023)
  • 9 Best Director Oscar nominations (one win); Lifetime Achievement Awards from AFI, Kennedy Center, Cannes

What the Scorsese Family Story Teaches Us

A Sicilian-American clothes-presser father who became an on-screen actor in his son's films. A seamstress mother who acted in many of them too. An elder brother. Five marriages. Three daughters across three of the marriages — all of them now also in film. A career spanning six decades.

For every family — large or small, famous or otherwise — the Scorsese story carries the same lesson. Sometimes the family becomes part of the family's work. Catherine and Charles Scorsese appearing in Goodfellas, Casino, and other films is on the family tree alongside the Best Director Oscar. Write down which family members joined the family business — even informally.

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