Goodfellas‘ Ray Liotta Dead at 67
Actor Ray Liotta, best known for his work in films such as Goodfellas and Field of Dreams, has died at the age of 67.
As Liotta’s publicist confirmed to our sister publication Variety, the actor passed away in his sleep in the Dominican Republic, where he was filming the movie Dangerous Waters.
Though Liotta got his start on NBC’s Another World, where he played Joey Perrini from 1978 through 1981, the actor made a name for himself through film credits, namely for his turn as mobster Henry Hill in Martin Scorsese’s 1990 Oscar winner Goodfellas. He also played the ghost of baseball player Shoeless Joe Jackson in Field of Dreams, gambling addict Harry Collins in Phoenix and police officer Gary Figgis in Cop Land, to name but a few roles.
Liotta also accrued many TV credits throughout his career, including an Emmy-winning guest role as ex-con Charlie Metcalf in a memorable Season 11 episode of ER. Series-regular gigs included CBS’ short-lived drama Smith (from ER boss John Wells), which ran for seven episodes in 2006; History Channel miniseries Texas Rising, which aired in 2015; and the role of Lt. Matt Wozniak in Jennifer Lopez’s NBC cop drama Shades of Blue, which ran for three seasons and ended in 2018.
“The first thing that comes to mind is he was so kind to my children,” Lopez shared on Instagram Thursday. “Ray was the epitome of a tough guy who was all mushy on the inside… I guess that’s what made him such a compelling actor to watch. The original Goodfella.
“When I first heard he took the job on Shades of Blue, I was thrilled, and the first time we walked on set to do our first scene together there was an electric spark and a mutual respect, and we both knew this was going to be good,” she continued. “We enjoyed doing our scenes together and I felt lucky to have him there to work with and learn from. Like all artists he was complicated, sincere, honest and so very emotional. Like a raw nerve, he was so accessible and so in touch in his acting and I will always remember our time together fondly. We lost a great today … RIP RAY.”
More recently, Liotta played twin brothers “Hollywood Dick” Moltisanti and Salvatore “Sally” Moltisanti in the 2021 Sopranos prequel film The Many Saints of Newark. Myriad guest credits over the years included Great News, Hannah Montana, Just Shoot Me, The League, Modern Family, St. Elsewhere and Young Sheldon. He also served as narrator of AMC’s The Making of the Mob (2015-16).
Liotta also memorably lent his voice to gangster Tommy Vercetti in the video game Grand Theft Auto: Vice City.
Oh man. Too young. RIP :-(
Another World was on NBC.
Such a sad piece of news
I was just going to say the same thing about “Another World” being on NBC. I remember watching him on it!
Very sad.
The error has been fixed! Thank you!
Shocker… RIP
Oh, I’m so sad about this. Pretty much loved him in everything he was in.
He is/was one of my favorite actors!
RIP and heartfelt condolences to your family and friends.
You will be missed!
Taken at to young of an age!
so shocking. awful news. r.i.p. and condolences to his family and friends.
Hey, rookie!
.
You were good. :-(
Sympathies… RIP, Jersey boy.
Only thing I saw him in was Shades of Blue. I know JLo had top billing on the show but he was one of the better more present actors of that show motivated me to see his other works. RIP Lieutenant Woz
Liked that show and always liked him as an actor. He’ll be missed. May he R.I.P.
JLo wasn’t too bad in that series, but Ray was fantastic (as he always was)
Wow that’s so sad.He was of my all time favorite actor .Started watching him in Another World. I’m sure gonna miss him😭 Prayers for the family.
I know his typecast was rough around the edges mob & cop types. But I will forever love him in Corina, Corina. 💕
Yes! Of all of his roles, that’s my favorite, too. I will miss him!
Right?!? He was always so funny and nice on talkshows too!
Rest in Pease Ray. I always enjoyed all of your performances and felt you had never been recognized as the great actor you were.
Gone way too soon. :( Loved him in anything he did. He was a great actor. RIP.
So very sad! Condolences and prayers – RIP!
Killing Them Softly deserves a mention. His character was pathetic but he played it very well.
Rest in peace – I used to love him on Another World.
I was a 90s kid and I grew up watching his movies. He was a talented actor and he will be missed.
Great, great actor. If he had to go so soon, at least he passed away in his sleep. Requiem aeternam dona eis domine et lux perpetua luceat eis . Amen
So sorry to hear about Ray Liotta I have watched him since his another world days. Prayers for his family.
I’m stunned by this. No words.😢
So sorry to hear of Ray Liotta’s passing. I started watching him on Another World. RIP Ray. Condolences to your family and friends.
Check out his 1994 movie “Corrina, Corrina”. My whole family loved him in that.
I loved him in the movie ‘Dominick and Eugene’, with
Tom Hulce.
The role of his i find most memorable was the one where he did an episode of ER. I recommend it to anyone who hasn’t seen it, to go to your favorite streaming site and watch it. Bring your hanky.
`So sadden😞 😥 😢 😔 😪 just learned this, he was one of my `favorite (handsomely) actor, he will be sooooo`truly miss, i thought we would grow old together. `Rih. Sir ! (Ray liotta)