Jamie-Lynn Sigler

Jamie-Lynn Sigler
Sigler in 2007
Born (1981-05-15) May 15, 1981 (age 43)
Other namesJamie-Lynn DiScala
OccupationActress
Years active1997–present
Spouses
A. J. DiScala
(m. 2003; div. 2006)
Cutter Dykstra
(m. 2016)
Children2

Jamie-Lynn Sigler (born May 15, 1981) is an American actress. She is best known for her role as Meadow Soprano on the HBO series The Sopranos from 1999 to 2007.

Early life

Sigler was born in Jericho, New York, on May 15, 1981,[1] the daughter of Steve and Connie Sigler. She has two brothers, Adam and Brian.[1] Her father was the founder of the Men's Senior Baseball League. Sigler is of Greek-Jewish and Romanian-Jewish descent through her father, and of Cuban descent through her mother.[2]

Sigler's mother was raised Catholic but converted to Judaism upon marrying Sigler's father.[3] She attended Jericho High School[4] and studied at the Cultural Arts Playhouse in Old Bethpage, New York.[4]

Career

Acting

In 1997, Sigler was cast as Meadow Soprano, daughter of New Jersey mob boss Tony Soprano on the HBO series The Sopranos.[5] When her manager first told her about auditioning for The Sopranos, Sigler thought she would have to sing soprano.[6] She continued to play the role through the series finale in 2007.[7][8]

Sigler played the title role in Cinderella on tour and at The Theatre at Madison Square Garden in 2001.[9][10] She then spent five months on Broadway from October 2002 through February 2003 playing Belle in Beauty and the Beast.[11]

In 2004, Sigler starred as "Hollywood Madam" Heidi Fleiss in the USA television movie Call Me: The Rise and Fall of Heidi Fleiss. In that same year, she had her first starring feature film role, Extreme Dating, an independent film. In 2005, Sigler starred in Love Wrecked and the following year in Homie Spumoni, when she played the role of Alli, the girlfriend of Renato/Leroy (Donald Faison) directed by Mike Cerron.[12]

In 2008, Sigler appeared as herself in 13 episodes of the fifth and sixth season of the HBO series Entourage. In the fifth season, she appeared as the love interest of the character Sal 'Turtle' Assante, portrayed by Jerry Ferrara. She returned as a recurring guest star for season six of the series, after becoming Ferrara's real-life girlfriend.[13] On November 17, 2008, Sigler guest-starred as Jillian on the TV series How I Met Your Mother in the episode "Woooo!".[14] On the December 6, 2008, airing of Saturday Night Live, she appeared as the checkout girl for the Digital Short music video "Jizz in My Pants" by The Lonely Island.[15]

In 2009, Sigler starred in the psychological thriller film Beneath the Dark, which originally had a working title of Wake.[16] The same year, she appeared on ABC's Ugly Betty in a five-episode arc.[17] From 2012 to 2013, she appeared as a main character in the short-lived series Guys with Kids.

In 2019, Sigler appeared on the game show Pyramid alongside Steve Schirripa.[18]

In 2020, Sigler starred as a featured player in the Adult Swim sitcom Beef House.[19]

Other endeavors

In 2001, Sigler released a pop album called Here to Heaven, which featured the single "Cry Baby." In 2012, she collaborated with Romeo Santos on the single "You" and appeared in its music video.[20]

In 2002, Sigler co-authored her autobiography, Wise Girl: What I've Learned About Life, Love, and Loss.[21]

In 2024, Sigler began a podcast with fellow actress Christina Applegate called MeSsy about their friendship based on both being diagnosed with MS.[22]

Personal life

Sigler met Abraxas "A.J." DiScala when she was 19, and he became her manager.[23] They began dating shortly before she turned 21,[23] and married on July 11, 2003.[24] She subsequently changed her name to Jamie-Lynn DiScala.[24] They separated in September 2005, and she resumed using her maiden name.[24] She then dated restaurateur Scott Sartiano from 2006 to 2008.[25]

In 2008, Sigler visited Israel through the Birthright Israel program and was moved by the trip, calling Israel "one of the most beautiful, inspiring places [she's] ever been to". She said that the trip gave her a greater understanding of her Jewish ancestry.[26] Also in 2008, she began a relationship with actor Jerry Ferrara, whom she met while guest-starring on Entourage as a love interest of Ferrara's character.[27] They split up in 2009.[28] She later dated football player Mark Sanchez.[29]

In 2012, Sigler began dating baseball player Cutter Dykstra, the son of former Major League Baseball player Lenny Dykstra.[30][31] The two became engaged on January 28, 2013,[32] and announced in February 2013 that they were expecting their first child.[33] Sigler gave birth to their first son on August 28, 2013.[34] They were married in Palm Springs, California, on January 16, 2016.[35] The couple had their second son on January 15, 2018.[36]

In January 2016, Sigler revealed that she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis when she was 20 years old.[37] In 2000, while filming Campfire Stories in Hamburg, New Jersey, Sigler was paralyzed from the waist down for several days. This symptom turned out to be related to multiple sclerosis, but it was misdiagnosed as Lyme disease at the time.[38][39] In 2023, Novartis hired Sigler to star in a TV commercial for their multiple sclerosis drug Kesimpta.[40]

Filmography

Film

Year Title Role Notes
1997 A Brooklyn State of Mind Young Angie
2001 Campfire Stories Natalie
2003 Death of a Dynasty Sexy Woman No. 3
2005 Extreme Dating Amy Baker
Love Wrecked Alexis Manetti
2006 Homie Spumoni Alli Butterman
Blinders Alexa Short film
Dark Ride Cathy
2007 New York City Serenade Lynn
2010 Trophy Wife Christina Short film
Beneath the Dark Adrienne
2012 Divorce Invitation Dylan
I Do Ali Federman
Jewtopia Hannah Daniels
2015 Anatomy of the Tide Gina Harper
2017 Justice Melissa Green
Gangster Land Lulu Rolfe
2019 Mob Town Josephine Barbara
2020 The Neighbor in the Window Karen Morgan
2022 I'm on Fire Gina Short film

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1999–2007 The Sopranos Meadow Soprano 72 episodes
2004 Call Me: The Rise and Fall of Heidi Fleiss Heidi Fleiss TV movie
Will & Grace Ro 2 episodes
2005 Newlyweds: Nick and Jessica Jamie-Lynn DiScala Episode: "The Orange Bowl"
2005–2007 Higglytown Heroes Ms. Fern 3 episodes; voice role
2007 The Gathering Maggy Rule Miniseries
2008 How I Met Your Mother Jillian Episode: "Woooo!"
2008–2009 Entourage Jamie-Lynn Sigler 13 episodes
2009 Ugly Betty Natalie 5 episodes
2010 Backwash Prudence Episode: "Chapter Eight: Lake Pupik"
2011 Criminal Behavior Brooke Kross TV movie
Drop Dead Diva Tina Howard Episode: "Change of Heart"
2012 Last Man Standing Gabriella Episode: "Take Your Daughter to Work"
2012-2013 Guys with Kids Emily 17 episodes
2014 Dads Elsa Episode: "Bully Gene"
2015 The Christmas Note Gretchen Daniels Movie
2016 CSI: Cyber Sasha Boyd Episode: "5 Deadly Sins"
Baby Daddy Sara Gilcrest 2 episodes
The Snowy Day Layla's Mom TV special short
2017 Mommy, I Didn't Do It Vera Dutton TV movie
2018 Signed, Sealed, Delivered: The Road Less Traveled Rachel
Magnum P.I. Toni Episode: "Bad Day to Be A Hero"
2019–2020 Elena of Avalor Princess Rebeca 3 episodes
2020 Beef House Detective Megan Dungerson 6 episodes
2021–2023 Big Sky Tonya Walsh Main role (season 3), recurring (season 2)

Music videos

Year Title Artist Role
2002 "Juliet" LMNT Laundromat Girl
2002 "Through the Rain" Mariah Carey Kirsten
2003 "Sunrise" Simply Red Girl
2008 "Jizz in My Pants" The Lonely Island Check-Out Girl

Awards and nominations

Year Association Category Project Result Ref.
1999 Screen Actors Guild Awards Outstanding Ensemble in a Drama Series The Sopranos (season 1) Won [41]
2000 The Sopranos (season 2) Nominated [42]
2001 The Sopranos (season 3) Nominated [43]
2002 The Sopranos (season 4) Nominated [44]
2004 The Sopranos (season 5) Nominated [45]
2006 The Sopranos (season 6 - Part 1) Nominated [46]
2007 The Sopranos (season 6 - Part 2) Won [47]

Discography

References

  1. ^ a b "Jamie-Lynn Sigler: Biography". TV Guide. Archived from the original on August 3, 2016. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
  2. ^ "David Chase & 'The Sopranos' Gang Look Back 20 Years Later: Part I". Deadline Hollywood. January 10, 2019.
  3. ^ Bloom, Nate (January 22, 2008). "Interfaith Celebrities: Jews on Ice, Christina's Baby and Meadow's Trip to Israel". InterfaithFamily.com. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
  4. ^ a b Fischler, Marcelle S. (November 24, 2002). "Long Island Journal; Three Who Write the Island's Rhythms". The New York Times. Retrieved October 2, 2007.
  5. ^ Yacowar, Maurice (2003). "The Sopranos on the Couch: Analyzing Television's Greatest Series". Bloomsbury Academic. ISBN 9780826415417. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
  6. ^ "Five things you don't know about Jamie-Lynn Sigler". Entertainment Weekly. August 19, 2002.
  7. ^ a b Reid, Shaheem (October 18, 2001). "Meadow Soprano Sings About Debut Album". MTV. Archived from the original on April 11, 2015. Retrieved August 16, 2008.
  8. ^ "Festival Trailer – Wake". Dreadcentral.com. March 15, 2010. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
  9. ^ Jones, Kenneth (October 19, 2000). "Being Stepmom Is Real Drag for Everett Quinton in 2000–2001 'Cinderella' Tour". Playbill.com. Archived from the original on November 13, 2013. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  10. ^ Jones, Kenneth (May 3, 2001). "Tour of R&H's Cinderella, With Sigler, Kitt and Quinton, Lands in NYC May 3–13". Playbill. Retrieved April 30, 2022.
  11. ^ Gans, Andrew (January 28, 2003). "One "Soprano" Exits, Another Returns". Playbill. Archived from the original on September 30, 2007. Retrieved September 1, 2007.
  12. ^ "CNN interview December 23, 2005 with Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Jane Fonda, and Shane Sellers". Transcripts.cnn.com. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
  13. ^ Rome Neal (August 19, 2002). "'Sopranos' Star Tells Of Anorexia Battle". CBS News. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
  14. ^ "NY PIX Morning News Blog – WPIX-TV". Weblogs.cw11.com. October 15, 2008. Archived from the original on July 26, 2011. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
  15. ^ The Lonely Island (June 16, 2009). "The Lonely Island – Jizz In My Pants (Official Video)". YouTube. Retrieved October 25, 2010.
  16. ^ "SXSW '10: First Images from 'Shining'-Inspired 'Wake'!". Bloody-disgusting.com. March 2010. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
  17. ^ "IFC Midnight Acquires SXSW Thriller 'Wake'". Bloody-disgusting.com. June 9, 2010. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
  18. ^ "Episode 402: Chris Sullivan vs. Susan Kelechi Watson and Jamie-Lynn Sigler vs. Steve Schirripa". Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  19. ^ Considine, Austin (March 26, 2020). "On 'Beef House,' Family Sitcoms Get the Tim and Eric Treatment". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  20. ^ "UPDATE: Watch Romeos New Video for You!". Latina.com. May 23, 2011. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  21. ^ "Children's Book Review: WISE GIRL: What I've Learned About Life, Love, and Loss by Jamie-Lynn Sigler". Publishersweekly.com. July 29, 2002. Retrieved July 27, 2014.
  22. ^ Finan, Eileen (March 11, 2024). "Christina Applegate and Jamie-Lynn Sigler Share How MS 'Brought Us Together' — and Inspired Their New Podcast". Lifestyle > Health. People. ISSN 0093-7673. OCLC 794712888. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  23. ^ a b Wulff, Jennifer; Dagostino, Mark (March 3, 2006). "Jamie-Lynn on Ex: 'There's No Hatred'". People. Archived from the original on March 5, 2007. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  24. ^ a b c "Jamie-Lynn DiScala, Husband Split Up". People. September 25, 2005. Archived from the original on February 16, 2007. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
  25. ^ "Jamie-Lynn Sigler". People. Retrieved May 17, 2022.
  26. ^ Kraft, Dina (January 22, 2008). "'Sopranos' star on birthright discovers her Jewish spirit". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  27. ^ "Jamie Lynn Sigler and Jerry Ferrara Going Strong". Hollyscoop.com. June 3, 2009. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
  28. ^ "Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Jerry Ferrara Split". usmagazine.com. December 22, 2009. Retrieved September 23, 2010.
  29. ^ "Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Mark Sanchez Cozy Up at the Tonys". People. Archived from the original on December 8, 2010.
  30. ^ "Jamie-Lynn Sigler reportedly dating Cutter Dykstra, Lenny's son". larrybrownsports.com. March 27, 2012.
  31. ^ "Jamie-Lynn Sigler Is Engaged to Cutter Dykstra: See Her Engagement Ring!". Us Weekly. January 28, 2013. Retrieved June 14, 2013.
  32. ^ Caldwell, Sarah (January 29, 2013). "Jamie-Lynn Sigler is engaged". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on April 3, 2015. Retrieved January 29, 2013.
  33. ^ Nahas, Aili (February 12, 2013). "Cutter Dykstra and Jamie-Lynn Sigler Expecting First Child". People. Archived from the original on February 14, 2013. Retrieved February 12, 2013.
  34. ^ Takeda, Allison; Puliti, Alisandra (August 28, 2013). "Jamie-Lynn Sigler Gives Birth to Baby Boy, Names Him Beau Kyle Dykstra". Us Weekly. Retrieved September 1, 2013.
  35. ^ Jordan, Julie (January 16, 2016). "Jamie-Lynn Sigler Marries Cutter Dysktra". People. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  36. ^ Rossi, Madison (January 16, 2018). "Jamie-Lynn Sigler Welcomes Son Jack Adam". People. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  37. ^ Jordan, Julie. "Jamie Lynn Sigler Reveals She Has Multiple Sclerosis". People. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  38. ^ Amy Ellis Nutt (May 3, 2001). "Jamie-Lynn Sigler's 'Cinderella' story". Archived from the original on October 6, 2008.
  39. ^ Childers, Linda (2017). "Actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler Shares MS Diagnosis". Brain and Life. No. Feb/Mar 2017. American Academy of Neurology. Retrieved December 10, 2022.
  40. ^ "Novartis puts 'Sopranos' actor in TV spot for MS drug Kesimpta". Fierce Pharma.
  41. ^ "6th Screen Actors Guild Awards". sagawards.org. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  42. ^ "7th Screen Actors Guild Awards". sagawards.org. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  43. ^ "8th Screen Actors Guild Awards". sagawards.org. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  44. ^ "9th Screen Actors Guild Awards". sagawards.org. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  45. ^ "11th Screen Actors Guild Awards". sagawards.org. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  46. ^ "13th Screen Actors Guild Awards". sagawards.org. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
  47. ^ "14th Screen Actors Guild Awards". sagawards.org. Retrieved May 30, 2024.