Actress Jamie-Lynn Sigler recently opened up about her battle with multiple sclerosis (MS) and how she kept her diagnosis a secret from her Sopranos castmates for years. Sigler revealed that she first disclosed her MS diagnosis to a set doctor during a physical examination in 2001 but was advised to keep it confidential.
Despite not experiencing severe symptoms at the time, Sigler chose to follow the doctor's recommendation and kept her condition hidden from her colleagues. It wasn't until the final season of the show that the stress of a divorce and flare-ups from MS prompted her to confide in her co-star, the late James Gandolfini.
Gandolfini, who played Sigler's on-screen father, noticed her distress and offered his support without judgment. Sigler described him as a loving and gentle presence, assuring her that he would keep her secret and be there for her whenever she needed.
After Gandolfini's passing in 2013, Sigler eventually shared her MS diagnosis with Edie Falco, who portrayed her on-screen mother. The revelation came during a Sopranos photoshoot, where Falco confided in Sigler about her own battle with breast cancer, leading Sigler to reciprocate by disclosing her MS.
In 2016, Sigler publicly announced her MS diagnosis and has since been vocal about her journey with the disease. She joins other celebrities like Selma Blair and Christina Applegate, who have also shared their experiences with MS. Sigler and Applegate even launched a podcast in 2024 to raise awareness and provide support for those living with MS.
