Harvey Keitel Left 8-Months Pregnant Girlfriend for 22-Years-Younger Woman Whom He Married 6 Weeks L

Publish date: 2024-05-19

The first woman Harvey Keitel ever had a child with left him jilted, and he cheated on the next woman he got involved with; however, in the end, he found love with a woman who had initially rejected his advances; This is their story.

Lorraine Bracco, who played a shrink in "The Sopranos," fell in love with Harvey Keitel. She thought she had found the one, but those dreamy thoughts evaporated in time and left her with hard facts.

It all began some years after her first marriage to the father of her first child ended. Bracco met Keitel one day and found him attractive.

Harvey Keitel and Lorraine Bracco at 48th Annual Golden Globe Awards on January 19, 1991 at the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

She once described the whirlwind courtship as very "intense" and even declared that she was literally "seduced." It took only a few months to decide that they needed to be closer to one another, so they started living together in New York.

Their romance was never consummated with marriage, but that did not stop them from having a child of their own, whom they named Stella, in 1985.

A couple of years down the line, Keitel helped Bracco bag a starring role in the movie titled "Someone to Watch Over Me."

Actor Harvey Keitel poses with his daughter Stella Keitel during a photo shoot in 1986 at his residence in New York. | Source: Getty Images

It was just the beginning of her rise, but Bracco's relationship with Keitel fell apart as her career grew. He would vanish for multiple days, and he even picked up his old drug habit.

In 1990, Bracco became a legit movie star, and an Oscar nomination followed swiftly, but things were only getting worse with Keitel.

While filming "A Talent for the Game," Bracco slept with her co-star, Edward James Olmos, and when she later confessed it to Keitel, he hated her for it.

US actor Harvey Keitel poses for photographers, 20 September 2003, in the Spanish northern Basque city of San Sebastian, during the presentation of his film "El Misterio Galindez" | Source: Getty Images

After that, Bracco knew that Keitel would never see her the same way, and she even admitted later on that perhaps, it was her way of ending a relationship that had turned sour.

In the aftermath of their split, Keitel attempted to get custody of his daughter with Bracco, but she fought him for it, and it culminated in a court feud that lasted through most of the 90s.

Eventually, she was able to retain custody of their daughter, and they both moved on with their lives.

KEITEL BECAME WHAT HE HATED BRACCO FOR

US actor Harvey Keitel arrives at the photocall during the 49th San Sebastian Film Festival, 23 September 2001 in San Sebastian. | Source: Getty Images

The next woman Keitel fell in love with was a pottery maker named Lisa Karmazin, and she was 33-years-younger than him.

Their relationship started in February 2000, and it led to yet another whirlwind romance that saw them take trips to vacation spots in the Dominican Republic, Cuba, and Germany.

Harvey Keitel during Club Med Maiden Voyage Benefiting Hudson Riverkeeper at Pier 88 in New York City, New York, United States. | Source: Getty Images

Keitel was so taken with Karmazin that he started looking forward to having children with her, but when she did get pregnant, things began to go wrong between them.

Things turned sour in 2001 after she revealed she was pregnant, but they kept having sex. Damage to their relationship became irreparable after a woman answered Keitel's call when Karmazin tried to reach him.

Actor Harvey Keitel shops with his new wife, Dafna Defner from Israel, October 27, 2001 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

It had been two weeks before the birth of their child and the day of the Twin Towers attack. Karmazin had been distraught, but she reached out to Keitel during the delivery despite what had happened between them, asking him to come.

The actor told her he would be there in a couple of days, but according to Karmazin, he did not show up until after six months. His message was loud and clear, but Karmazin still chose to name their child Hudson to honor Keitel's suggestion.

WHO WAS THE MYSTERY WOMAN THAT PICKED UP THE CALL

Harvey Keitel at the tribute to Bertrand Tavernier during the 18th Marrakech International Film Festival -Day Three- on December 01, 2019 in Marrakech, Morocco. | Source: Getty Images

Karmazin learned much later that the woman who picked up the phone was Daphna Kastner. She is an actress who first met Keitel at a party for Robert De Niro in the 80s.

At the time, Kastner let Keitel take her out on a dinner date on their first meeting and also came out to spend time with him the next day, after which he asked her if she would be willing to join him for a drink in his hotel room.

She turned down the offer, and the third time he asked to meet her again, she refused to see him. The next time they ran into each other, they were at another party for De Niro, and it had been 17 years.

Actor Harvey Keitel stands with his new bride Daphna Kastner October 7, 2001 in Jerusalem, Israel. | Source: Getty Images

They stayed together throughout the event, and after yet another short courtship, which lasted for seven weeks, Keitel popped the big question. They had been on a flight headed to a film festival in Italy, and her answer was an "OK."

They got married in Jerusalem in October 2001. Keitel arranged for a rooftop location that provided a great view of Jerusalem's walled old city. It was a private ceremony, and those vows they exchanged have remained bound for over two decades now.

KEITEL’S TAKE ON CHILDREN

Harvey Keitel & wife during 2002 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted by Graydon Carter - Arrivals at Morton's Restaurant in Beverly Hills, California, United States. | Source: Getty Images

Not too long after they got married, Kastner and Keitel welcomed their first child together, and coincidentally, he arrived on Robert De Niro's birthday.

They named him Roman, and unlike his second child with Karmazin, Keitel fell in love with Roman and has been very present in his life.

US actor Harvey Keitel poses with his son Roman before a press conference in an Istanbul hotel 15 April 2005. | Source: Getty Images

In 2008, he even brought the boy with him while working on the "Life on Mars" set, showing how hands-on he can be as a father.

Several years have passed since they married in Jerusalem, but Kastner and Keitel still seem to be going strong. Keitel is still happy with his decision all those years ago and has been known to cherish not just Roman but also his wife.

Daphna Kastner and Harvey Keitel leave a downtown restaurant with their son Roman after lunch on April 5, 2008 in New York City. | Source: Getty Images

In 2016, the handsome father-son duo was pictured outdoors, purchasing a red rose for Kastner to celebrate mother's day.

Over the years, Keitel has spoken a couple of times about his kids; however, most times, he leaves his first child Hudson, out of the equation.

Harvey Keitel, his wife Daphna Kastner and their son arrive for the amfAR 22nd Annual Cinema Against AIDS Gala at Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc on May 21, 2015 in Cap d'Antibes, France. | Source: Getty Images

Despite whatever state their relationship may be in, Keitel has stated that "having a child is the most wonderful thing."

According to him, becoming a parent changes everything for the better, and as far as he is concerned, everyone needs to have one because it is never too late.

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