Actor Ray Liotta, who was best known for his leading role in Martin Scorsese’s 1990 crime classic “Goodfellas,” has died at 67-years-old.
Liotta reportedly passed away in his sleep while shooting a new film, “Dangerous Waters,” while in the Dominican Republic.
Liotta’s publicist, Jennifer Allen, said that Liotta “is survived by his daughter, Karsen, and his fiancée, Jacy Nittolo.”
“Liotta was on a big resurgence,” Deadline reported. “Recent turns included The Many Saints of Newark, Marriage Story and No Sudden Move. He finished the Elizabeth Banks-directed Cocaine Bear and was due to star in the Working Title film The Substance opposite Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley.”
Liotta told People in November that he was busier than ever and that despite his successful career he still did not feel like he was “there yet.”
“It’s weird how this business works, because I’ve definitely had a career that’s up and down,” he said. “For some reason, I’ve been busier this year than I have in all the years that I’ve been doing this. And I still feel I’m not there yet. I just think there’s a lot more.”
Liotta burst onto the scene in the late 80s with roles in “Something Wild” and “Field of Dreams” before he starred in “Goodfellas” in 1990 with Robert De Niro and Joe Pesci.
“The ruggedly handsome, blue eyed Liotta was a perfect Henry Hill, narrating a tale of his growth into an organized crime gang, the one that pulled off the famous Lufthansa heist at John F. Kennery International Airport in 1978, making off with more than $5 million in cash and jewels stored in the German airline’s air cargo building,” Deadline added. “The film, which Nicholas Pileggi adapted with Scorsese from his book, was nominated for six Oscars, with Pesci the lone win.”
Lorraine Bracco, who played Karen Hill in “Goodfellas,” responded to the news on Twitter, saying that the best part about making the movie was Liotta.
“I am utterly shattered to hear this terrible news about my Ray,” she wrote. “I can be anywhere in the world & people will come up & tell me their favorite movie is Goodfellas. Then they always ask what was the best part of making that movie. My response has always been the same…Ray Liotta.”
I am utterly shattered to hear this terrible news about my Ray.
I can be anywhere in the world & people will come up & tell me their favorite movie is Goodfellas. Then they always ask what was the best part of making that movie. My response has always been the same…Ray Liotta. pic.twitter.com/3gNjJFTAne— Lorraine Bracco (@Lorraine_Bracco) May 26, 2022
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