“Sopranos” Star Joe Pantoliano Reveals ‘the 3 Ms’ That Saved His Mental Health
“Sopranos” Star Joe Pantoliano Reveals ‘the 3 Ms’ That Saved His Mental Health
Vanessa EtienneMon, June 15, 2026 at 3:58 PM UTC
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Joe PantolianoCredit: Jason Mendez/Getty -
Joe Pantoliano credits masturbation, medication and meditation for improving his mental health
He said he also takes daily walks after a doctor told him it was just as beneficial as medication
The actor suffers from clinical depression, which he said stems from childhood trauma and nearly destroyed his life before seeking help
The Sopranosalum Joe Pantoliano is sharing how he manages his mental health.
On June 7, the 74-year-old actor attended the 30th anniversary screening of Bound at the Tribeca Festival and told Page Six that the key to staying on top of his mental health is "the three Ms."
"You need three things — masturbation, medication and meditation," he said jokingly.
Pantoliano said he takes a "wonderful supplement," meditates regularly, and "my wife [Nancy Sheppard] takes care of [the masturbation]."
However, he told the outlet he prefers taking daily walks to pharmaceutical options. "When I went to McLean Hospital, the brain hospital, they told me that a brisk 15-minute walk is equivalent to like 90 milligrams of Prozac, so I walk every day," he explained.
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Joe Pantoliano and Nancy SheppardCredit: Joy Malone/Getty
Last year, Pantoliano opened up about his mental health struggles and shared that depression nearly "destroyed" his life. He said in July 2025 that he has clinical depression: "really a bummer."
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"At least with bipolar, you've got the highs," he quipped.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, bipolar disorder is marked by periods of mania, along with depressive episodes. However, clinical depression is the most severe form of depression, in which "you've felt sad, low or worthless most days."
To manage his mental health, the Goonies alum said "I self-medicated, and nearly destroyed myself."
Joe PantolianoCredit: Michael Buckner/Getty
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At the time, he shared he relied on the "seven deadly symptoms," which was "alcohol, what was available, women — you know, risky behavior: act first and then ask questions second," Pantoliano told the outlet. "I was a mess for a long time, and it was because of adolescent childhood trauma."
Pantoliano said that his wife, Nancy Sheppard, and children "were ready to throw me out. The only people who were happy to see me weren't people. They were my dogs. My dogs actually saved my life because it was the only spark that was left in me. I was like Tinkerbell and the light was dying."
At the time, he shared that "adolescent childhood trauma" caused his depression, but "with the help of a good psychiatrist and a twelve step program, I've been practicing every day — every day. I'm okay."
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
