Stella Keitel is a name that carries the weight of Hollywood royalty, yet she has quietly transitioned from a promising child star to a respected professional in a completely different field. As the daughter of legendary actors Harvey Keitel and Lorraine Bracco, she was born into the heart of the New York film scene. While many remember her as the young face in iconic films like Goodfellas, her journey as of 2026 has led her away from the cameras and into the world of clinical psychology. Today, Stella Keitel is a licensed professional helping others navigate their own life challenges, proving that she is much more than just a famous last name.
Her story is one of transition and finding one’s own path outside of a family legacy. While her parents were dominating the screen in projects like The Sopranos and Reservoir Dogs, Stella was building a diverse resume of her own. However, her decision to pivot into a career as a psychologist and therapist shows a deep commitment to human service. As she moves through her 40th year, she balances her past in cinema with a present focused on healing and mental health advocacy in New York City.
Quick Bio of Stella Keitel
| Feature | Information |
| Full Name | Stella B. Keitel |
| Date of Birth | December 10, 1985 |
| Birthplace | New York City, New York, USA |
| Current Age | 40 Years Old (as of 2026) |
| Education | Psy.D. Clinical Psychology (Ferkauf Graduate School) |
| Profession | Clinical Psychologist, Former Actress |
| Father | Harvey Keitel |
| Mother | Lorraine Bracco |
| Siblings | Margaux Guerard, Hudson Keitel, Roman Keitel |
| First Movie | Goodfellas (1990) |
| Famous Role | Zeldy Lazar in Holy Rollers (2010) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $1 Million – $2 Million |
| Board Member | Co-founder of Breaktide Coaching |
| Residence | Manhattan, New York |
Early Life and the Scorsese Connection
The life of Stella Keitel began on December 10, 1985, in a home where scripts and film sets were everyday realities. Her parents, Harvey Keitel and Lorraine Bracco, were two of the most sought-after actors of their generation. Because of her father’s long-standing partnership with director Martin Scorsese, Stella’s entry into the film world was almost inevitable. She was raised in Manhattan, surrounded by the gritty, artistic energy of the city that would define much of her early work.
Her childhood, however, was also marked by a highly publicized and difficult custody battle between her parents following their split in the early 1990s. This period of her life was often in the tabloids, which perhaps contributed to her eventual desire for a more private, grounded career. Despite the family drama, Stella Keitel remained close to both parents, often appearing with them at red-carpet events and film premieres throughout the 1990s and 2000s.
Stella Keitel in Goodfellas: A Young Debut
Most movie buffs recognize the name Stella Keitel from her very first screen appearance. At just five years old, she made her debut in the 1990 masterpiece Goodfellas. She played Judy Hill, the daughter of the main characters, Henry and Karen Hill (played by Ray Liotta and her real-life mother, Lorraine Bracco). Her performance provided a touch of innocence to a film filled with violence and crime. Seeing her on screen with her actual mother added a layer of authenticity to the family scenes in the film.
Following her debut, Stella Keitel appeared in Bad Lieutenant (1992) alongside her father, further cementing her status as a talented child actress. While she didn’t pursue a constant stream of roles, her presence in these cult classics ensured that she would always have a place in cinema history. To this day, fans of the Scorsese epic often search for her to see how the young girl from the Hill family has grown up into a successful professional.
Holy Rollers and Other Screen Roles
In 2010, Stella Keitel returned to the spotlight for the film Holy Rollers, which is often cited as her most significant adult role. Starring alongside Jesse Eisenberg, she played Zeldy Lazar. The film, which dealt with the true story of Hasidic Jews recruited as drug mules, allowed her to showcase her range as a mature actress. Her performance was praised for its depth and vulnerability, proving she had the talent to carry a major indie production.
Her other credits include The Life of Lucky Cucumber and a guest appearance on the television show Law & Order: Criminal Intent. Some fans mistakenly search for her in The Sopranos, likely because her mother famously played Dr. Jennifer Melfi on the show. While Stella Keitel didn’t have a recurring role on the series, she was a frequent visitor to the set and is deeply connected to the show’s legacy through her family’s long history with the New York crime drama genre.
A Second Act: Becoming a Psychologist
One of the most impressive details about her life today is her career as a psychologist. Stella Keitel earned her Psy.D. (Doctor of Psychology) from the Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in 2019. She is currently a Licensed Clinical Psychologist in New York City. Her professional work focuses on complex areas such as co-morbid disorders, forensic psychology, and high-risk behaviors in adolescents and adults.
She is the co-founder of Breaktide Coaching, an organization that provides multidisciplinary support for individuals seeking deep personal growth and recovery. Transitioning from being the daughter of a famous “TV therapist” to being a real-life therapist is a fascinating full-circle moment. Stella Keitel has worked in high-pressure environments, including the Manhattan Psychiatric Center, showing that her dedication to the field is serious and academically rigorous.
Personal Life: Wedding, Husband, and Family
Regarding her personal life, there have been many public searches for a Stella Keitel wedding or husband. However, she has managed to keep her current relationship status very private. While she has been spotted at various charity galas and film events over the years, such as the Bide-A-Wee gala and the Tribeca Film Festival, she does not share details of her romantic life on social media. As of 2026, she remains focused on her private medical practice and her advocacy work.
She remains a central figure in her large family. Stella Keitel has an older half-sister, Margaux Guerard, and two half-brothers, Hudson and Roman Keitel. Despite the difficult split of her parents decades ago, the family has often been seen reuniting for her major milestones. Her mother, Lorraine Bracco, has frequently expressed her pride in her daughter’s academic and professional achievements, often noting that she is an inspiration to those seeking to reinvent themselves.
Stella Keitel Net Worth and Legacy
The Stella Keitel net worth is estimated to be between $1 million and $2 million. While she grew up in an environment of great wealth from her parents’ successful careers, she has built her own financial independence through her medical practice and consulting work. Her lifestyle in New York is described as understated and professional, a far cry from the flashier side of Hollywood that her parents navigated during their peak fame.
Her legacy is one of transformation and intelligence. Stella Keitel is a rare example of a person who used their early platform not just for more fame, but to pursue a difficult and rewarding career in science and medicine. Whether she is remembered for her childhood role in Goodfellas or her current work as a psychologist, she has proven that it is possible to honor your family’s past while creating a meaningful and private future of your own making.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. How old is Stella Keitel? Stella Keitel was born on December 10, 1985, making her 40 years old in early 2026. After a childhood spent in the film industry, she dedicated her adult years to higher education and clinical practice.
2. Who are Stella Keitel’s parents? Her parents are the iconic actors Harvey Keitel and Lorraine Bracco. While her parents are known for their gritty, award-winning roles in crime dramas, Stella chose to transition into a career in medical science.
3. What is Stella Keitel’s profession today? She is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist with a Psy.D. degree. She operates her own practice and co-founded Breaktide Coaching, focusing on helping adults and adolescents navigate complex mental health challenges.
4. Does Stella Keitel have any famous movie roles? Yes, her debut was as Judy Hill in the 1990 classic Goodfellas. Later in 2010, she received praise for her lead performance as Zeldy Lazar in the independent drama Holy Rollers.
5. Is Stella Keitel on social media? She maintains a very professional and private presence. While she has an Instagram account for her clinical practice, she avoids the typical celebrity social media lifestyle to focus on her patients and her work in New York.
Conclusion
The journey of Stella Keitel is a remarkable testament to the power of personal evolution. While her early years were defined by the glitz and intensity of being a child star in the Martin Scorsese universe, she has successfully redefined her identity as a woman of science and service. By stepping away from the inherited spotlight of her parents, Harvey Keitel and Lorraine Bracco, she found a more profound calling in the quiet, transformative rooms of clinical therapy.
As of 2026, Dr. Stella B. Keitel stands as a beacon of stability and empathy in the New York mental health community. Her transition from an actress in Holy Rollers to a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and co-founder of
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