Marianne Leone is an actress, screenwriter and essayist. Her essays have appeared in the Boston Globe, Lithub, Ploughshares, Post Road, Bark Magazine, Coastal Living, Solstice, and others. She is the author of two memoirs, Jesse (Simon & Schuster, 2010) and Ma Speaks Up (Beacon Press 2017.) She had a recurring role on HBO’s “The Sopranos” as Joanne Moltisanti, Christopher’s mother. She has also appeared in films by David O. Russell, Larry David, John Sayles, Nancy Savoca and Martin Scorsese. JESSE is published in Italy by Nutrimenti. Her next book, FIVE DOG EPIPHANY, is out September 3, 2024 from Akashic Books.