A novice actress, Ms. Borino-Quinn won the part 10 years ago through an open call that drew close to 15,000 applicants. Her father said she had gone to the Harrison, N.J., audition to support a childhood friend.
"When she got to the door, they said, 'Just leave your portfolio.' Two or three weeks later, they called for an audition," Borino said. She almost skipped the callback because it was scheduled the day of her grandmother's wake, "but we prevailed on her to go."
Borino said his daughter had taken her fame in stride.
"It never, never went to her head," said Borino, who owns a furniture and appliance store. He said she happily gave autographs and chatted with people who saw her in public and said, "That's Ginny Sack!"
Borino said his daughter had continued to work at her New Brunswick, N.J., law firm throughout her years on The Sopranos, which was shot around the state. She needed to earn a living - her role as Ginny wasn't a high-paying part - and she liked the work, her father said.
"Her bosses were tickled pink to have a celebrity in their midst," he said.
Ms. Borino-Quinn's husband, Luke A. Quinn, died in March after a heart attack. Saturday would have been their sixth anniversary.
Her mother died nearly two years ago. In addition to her father, she is survived by brothers Christopher and Vincent and four nieces.
Contact staff writer Jeff Gellesat 215-854-2776 or jgelles@phillynews.com.
