Inside Ray Liotta’s tragic life including DUI, divorce and death before sudden passing at 67

RAY Liotta has faced some difficult times as fans reflect on the actor's life following his shocking death.

According to Deadline, the 67-year-old passed away on Thursday in the Dominican Republic, where he was filming a movie.

Ray's impressive resume included roles in popular films Cop Land, Corrina Corrina, Operation Dump Drop, Unforgettable, and Blow.

His most notable role was in director Martin Scorsese's classic hit, Goodfellas, in 1990, where he portrayed mobster Henry Hill, who grew within the ranks of the Lucchese crime family.

The 90s masterpiece featured the likes of Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Lorraine Bracco.

The film is widely considered one of the greatest of all time and received six Academy Award nominations and one win after its release.

A year before, he gave an Oscar-nominated performance in the seminal baseball film Field of Dreams, where he played real-life MLB star Shoeless Joe Jackson.

The film earned three Oscar nominations, including a best picture nod, and has gone down as one of the most beloved sports movies of all time.

One of his last credits was on the Apple TV+ series Black Bird and the unnervingly calm Uncle Sal in The Many Saints of Newark.

MOTHER'S DEATH

Ray's dedication to his work was apparent when he recalled the tragic passing of his mother during an interview with Sunday TODAY's Willie Geist.

Ray, who was adopted as an infant, lost his mother to cancer in the middle of filming the beloved Goodfellas film.

He opened up about the difficult time and how he pushed through filming after hearing the news.

"My mom was sick with cancer during the filming of 'Goodfellas,' and she passed away in the middle of it. ... It put things in perspective in a really deep way," he said.

"I was doing a scene Friday. They told me. My knees buckled, but you realize you've got to go back and finish the scene. And I did."

Ray reminisced about being there for his mother's final moments as she died in his arms.

"I went back that night, and luckily I was there when she passed, literally in my arms. I've never really talked about that."

He later told the LA Times that he had "mixed feelings" about the film despite its massive success at the box office.

“My mom lived in New Jersey. So every weekend I would go home. She passed away in the middle of filming.

"Doing that movie and that character was a dream come true. But I do have mixed feelings about it.”

LEGAL TROUBLE

While Ray's career soared, the Emmy Award-winner's personal life wasn't as smooth sailing.

The Wild Hogs star was arrested in 2007 on suspicion of driving under the influence after crashing his car into two parked vehicles in Pacific Palisades, Los Angeles.

He was reportedly the only person in the car at the time of the accident.

Ray was booked on a misdemeanor DUI charge, though he was soon released from custody after paying the $15,000 bail.

The incident occurred three years after his divorce from his wife, Michelle Grace, 53.

DIVORCE

The pair were married from 1997 until 2004, when they split amicably.

Michelle also worked in the industry as a producer and an actress.

She worked on several films in which her late ex-husband starred in, including The Rat Pack, Narc, and Take the Lead.

She is also the mother of Ray's only child - their daughter, Karsen Liotta, who is now 23.

According to The Guardian, Ray only ever had kind words to say about his ex-wife.

He once told the outlet: "She's a great woman, and thank God we're still friends.

"She still stays over at the house so that Karsen can see us together."

"You want to give her as much semblance of a family unit as you can when you're separated or divorced."

Michelle and Ray remained close until his sudden death on May 26.

FINAL DAYS

His fiancée, Jacy Nittolo, 46, was photographed with the New Jersey native just days before his passing.

The pair took a stroll in the Pacific Palisades, holding hands after dining at Spruzzo Italian restaurant.

The two appeared in good spirits as they enjoyed the evening together.

The Many Saints of Newark actor and Jacy had gotten engaged on Christmas Day 2020.

Ray shared the engagement news on social media.

He captioned the post: "Christmas wishes do come true. I asked the love of my life to marry me, and thank God she said yes!"

The late actor posed with his fiancée in front of a Christmas tree in the Instagram photo.

Jacy was reported to be on set with Ray while filming what became his final movie.

It is unclear what is the cause of death.

Sources told TMZ there was nothing suspicious about Ray's death, and no foul play is suspected.

IN MOURNING

An outpouring of love came from those grieving his loss, including Sopranos actress Lorraine Bracco.

She shared a heartbreaking tweet: "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."

Ray's daughter previously gushed over her father in a post on Instagram.

She shared various images of the late star from his films.

Karsen wrote: "To the real G. Thanks for teaching me everything I know."