Rae Allen, a talented actress, singer, and stage director, was born Raffaella Julia Theresa Abruzzo on April 1, 1926, in Brooklyn, New York, to Joseph and Julia Abruzzo (née Riccio). Her parents' Italian heritage would later influence her artistic pursuits.
Allen's passion for the performing arts led her to attend New York University, where she honed her skills in drama at the Herbert Berghof Studio in Greenwich Village and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, graduating in 1947. Her early career in theater began on Broadway, where she made her debut in 1948 as a singer and understudy in the musical "Where's Charley?".
She went on to co-star alongside legendary performers Ethel Merman in "Call Me Madam" and Gwen Verdon in the original Broadway production of "Damn Yankees", earning a Tony Award nomination for her role. Her success on stage continued with her Tony-winning performance as Fleur Stein in the dark comedy "And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little" in 1971.
Throughout her career, Allen made sporadic guest appearances on television, including shows such as "The Untouchables", "Car 54, Where Are You?", "Soap", "Lou Grant", and "Hill Street Blues". Her most notable recurring role was as Quintina Blundetto, the mother of Tony Soprano and aunt to Christopher Moltisanti, on the hit HBO series "The Sopranos" in 1999.
On the big screen, Allen appeared in films such as "Stargate" (1994) and "A League of Their Own" (1992),showcasing her versatility as an actress. In addition to her acting career, Allen was also a dedicated director, working at Stage West in Springfield, Massachusetts from 1972 to 1979.
In her personal life, Allen was twice married and divorced. She passed away on April 6, 2022, at the age of 95, leaving behind a legacy as a talented and accomplished performer in both stage and screen.
